The theory is that twins have a deep bond, known as twin telepathy. This means they share the same thoughts, finish each other’s sentences, and even feel each other’s pain, whether it be emotional or physical.

Jayce and Jayden Bauer are familiar faces in the hallways of Alliance High School. The two are identical twin brothers and are rarely seen apart. They play the same sports, enjoy the same activities, hang out with the same people, and are the last of the four Bauer children still living at home.
Despite the fact that Jayce and Jayden share a stronger bond than most siblings, the two agree that they are almost polar opposites. “I’d say I’m more chill and outgoing and funny,” says Jayden.

Jayce stated the opposite, saying, “I get really shy, whenever I meet new people”

Jayden laughed and added, “Whenever he’s with me and we’re around people, I guess I embarrass him. I’m just out there!”

Sports have played a huge role in the Bauer twins’ lives, since they were young. This has created a sense of competition between the two.

“Jayce and Jayden compete in everything. When I say everything, I mean everything from grades, sports, how much food the other one has consumed, who is a better driver, etc,” says their mother, Ammie Bauer.

“They were raised from age 5 to show up to practice and school giving 180% anything less then that is unacceptable. Most times, I am glad they were raised that way, but then other times I worry that they may be taken wrong and come across as being cocky or a jerk for going so hard but in reality they just want to help their teams perform well and you can’t achieve that unless you practice the same way you want to play in an event.”

Despite their differences, one thing the Bauer twins have in common is that they hold their teammates close to their hearts and would do anything for them. This is why Jayden’s injurt was so climactic for the brothers.

Two nights before Alliance was to face Chadron, Jayden came home and was upset over his performance at practice. Nervous about his first time starting in a varsity game and hoping not to disappoint his team and coaches, the events of that night’s practice really took a toll on him.

Jayce offered words of encouragement to Jayden saying, “You did fine at practice, you won’t disappoint any of us. You have worked hard and deserve it.”

Jayden argued back and said, “Jayce, I sucked at practice. I kept getting a couple of plays wrong.”

Jayce answered back, “Well you’re suppose to get all the errors out at practice.”

Friday, August 25, 2017: the first football game of the season. The Alliance Bulldogs are facing the Chadron Cardinals. Alliance High School junior, Jayden Bauer, started in his first varsity game. The Bulldogs are on defense.

All at once, the roar of the crowd loud ceased and was replaced by whispers across the bleachers. The football team takes a knee and the cheerleaders stand at attention. Anxious parents search for their children’s numbers to ensure their safety. Ammie is among them. She spots number 21: Jayce, the oldest of her twin boys. He is frantically pacing, eventually falling to his knees. Her eyes wander, searching for her other son.

“Only when I looked at all of the kneeling kids and their jersey numbers did I realize that number 50 was missing. At that moment, I heard my mother telling me, ‘Ammie, it’s Jayden. The ambulance is going you need to go.’”

That night, Jayden broke his leg and it was devastating for his brother.

Jayce made sure to emphasize the hard work Jayden had put in, during their summer practices. “For him to go out and get hurt like that and only play one half of his Junior season was heartbreaking. The way he broke his leg was just devastating,” said Jayce. “I knew I had to finish the game for my brother and my team. I had to lead our team and me leaving wouldn’t do us any good. I knew Jayden would want me to stay.”

“Jayce has been amazing to Jayden throughout this. The first month, especially, he would do everything for his brother without being asked. It’s been really neat to sit back and watch them, especially with how competitive they always were with each. What many don’t know though is how hard that first month was for Jayce, without his brother there. Unless you are a twin you will never fully understand,” said Ammie “Jayce would ask Jayden every day (after he began recovery), if he was coming to practice. When Jayden would respond ‘I don’t know’, Jayce would then ask me to please get Jayden there, so I knew it was something Jayce needed. Twins have a bond: a deep one. They are each other’s best friend.”

Jayden’s injury has only helped to prove the special bond they share with one another. Whether it is observed on the football field, the wrestling mat, or during everyday life, it is undeniable that these two are each other’s best friend. It is almost impossible to determine whether or not this is related to the theory that identical twins have a mental connection, but that does not mean that it does not exist. While conducting this interview, aside from enjoying what the two had to say, I observed the boys’ behaviors. The moment that stuck out the most was when I asked if they felt they had the twin connection. The two responded with the exact same thing, at the exact same time.

“No. Nah. I don’t feel it.”

The Bauer twins are just one duo that has touched the hearts of many in the community. Even though we will never fully understand twin telepathy, it will always be intriguing to watch and interact with those who experience it firsthand.