Chapter 4

Over the next few days, her mother summoned stylists, hairdressers, and makeup artists. Each detail was meticulously planned: her hair, her nails, even the way she carried herself. Clothes were carefully chosen from Cara’s wardrobe, each outfit copied to perfection. Every morning, Sara practiced Cara’s accent, her gestures, her expressions, even the little quirks she had memorized from years of watching her sister in magazines and on television.

Margaret filled her in on everything every person in Cara’s life, every routine, every mannerism. Sara memorized it all.

Finally, after endless hours of practice and preparation, Sara stood in front of a full-length mirror. She hardly recognized herself. The reflection staring back was not the simple girl from the mountains this was a polished, glamorous, confident young woman. Her lips curved into a small, triumphant smile.

For the first time, she felt what it was like to look exactly like her sister. To step into Cara’s world, to embody the celebrity persona she had only admired from afar. And for the first time, she didn’t just look like her sister… she felt like her.

Finally, the day arrived her first day on set.

The moment she stepped onto the studio floor, she was greeted with warm, curious voices.

“Hey, Cara! Where have you been? You’ve been absent forever!”

“Thank God you didn’t miss this shoot!”

Her mother stood beside her, a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

“She’s been catching up with school,” Margaret explained smoothly, covering for her.

Sara’s stomach twisted. Fear clawed at her chest. But she had practiced this moment for so long. She couldn’t let her sister down. Not now, not ever.

She was whisked away to the makeup room, where professionals transformed her even further. Every strand of hair, every contour of her face, every detail was perfected. When she finally looked in the mirror, it was uncanny she was Cara. Every inch, every feature. No one could suspect a thing.

Then came the wardrobe. Sara froze the moment she saw the outfit. It was revealing, far bolder than anything she had ever worn. She instinctively tried to tug it down.

“Dear, don’t pull it,” her mother whispered gently, catching her hesitation. “Cara wouldn’t do that.”

Sara swallowed her nerves and nodded, taking a deep breath. This was it. Her first real test. And she had to prove if only to herself that she could be her sister, flawlessly.

Sara nodded and made her way to the set, bright lights flashing all around her. The studio was dazzling, overwhelming, and for a moment she wondered how had Cara ever managed this so effortlessly?

Then the camera clicked, and Sara began posing.

Panic hit her like a wave. Nothing looked right. Every shot felt wrong.

“Cut!” the director barked, frustration clear in his voice. “Cara, what’s going on today? These pictures are terrible, and we don’t have all day. Take a pause. I’ll give you a minute to fix yourself. Give me the Cara I know!”

Sara froze. The Cara I know? The words echoed in her mind. She wasn’t Cara. Not really. She was just Sara.

Her mother stepped close, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. “I understand you’re nervous,” Margaret said softly. “But we’ve practiced for this. I know you’re smart, capable you can pull this off.”

Sara drew a shaky breath and remembered a moment she’d seen on TV, when Cara had paused, centered herself, and started again with grace. Sara copied her, channeling every ounce of focus she had.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the director called out, a hint of relief in his voice. “That’s better. We’ve got enough for the magazine but please, get a grip next time.”

Sara exhaled, tension draining from her body. It wasn’t perfect, but it was enough. And for now, that was all she could hope for.

“You did great,” Margaret said as they left the studio, offering a small smile. “ Even Cara had trouble the first few times. It's not that  easy, really. But don’t worry about that.”You will catch up her voice was reassuring and calm . 

Sara wasn’t sure if that was true or if her mother was just trying to make her feel better.

When they arrived home, Cara was waiting anxiously in the living room.

“How did it go, Sara?” she asked, eyes wide with curiosity.

“It was hectic,” Sara admitted, her voice tired. “I don’t know how you do it. Did anyone recognize you ?”

“Of course not,” Sara  replied, relief washed over Cara’s face. “No one suspected a thing . Sara added .  Oooh… that’s good!”Cara replied in a satisfied tone .

“Okay, I need to freshen up,” Sara said, heading upstairs. The day had been long. Despite all her practice, it hadn’t gone exactly as she’d expected. She freshened up quickly, still buzzing from exhaustion and nerves.

A few moments later, a knock sounded on her door.

Sara opened it to find Cara, smiling gently. Over the past few days, they had managed to bond again, just a little.

Sara’s eyes widened. “How… How did you climb the stairs in a wheelchair?”

“It’s electric,” Cara said with a shrug. “And, uh… I don’t know if you noticed, but we have two staircases. I used the simpler one. I wanted to talk to you.”

“You could’ve called me,” Sara replied softly, still catching her breath.

“It’s okay,” Cara said, her tone firm but warm. “Anyway… tomorrow, as you were told, you’re joining school. You’re free to be with anyone, do anything in my name but just… don’t get involved with my boyfriend, Henry. He just transferred to my school  because of me, and… well, it’ll be hard to avoid him. Just keep your distance.”