Chapter 1

My spirit drifted out of my body and hovered above the car's roof.

My mom, Cara Boyd, shook her head in frustration.

"Alice, you're too stubborn. Now you're holding your breath and pretending to be asleep just to scare us.

"Every time we tell you off, you pull this stunt. Do you think we'll apologize just because you hold your breath until your face turns red?

"You need to find a new way to compete for our attention. This nonsense is getting old. Aren't you afraid others will laugh at you?"

My dad, Robert Gibson, glanced at the rearview mirror and sighed.

"Alice, your mom and I have done our best to treat you and Daphne equally. You each have your own room, and we buy two of everything, from clothes to toys.

"Daphne has needed medical attention since she was little. Can't you be a little bit more understanding toward her? You've got to stop being so selfish."

Daphne Gibson, my younger sister, leaned against Mom and sneaked a glance at me slumped in the back seat. A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

She pressed a hand to her chest.

"Mom, Dad, please don't be mad at Alice. It's my fault for being so frail. I've made things hard for her, too. When we get home, I'll give her the new hair clip you got me to make it up to her. I'm sure she'll stop being mad."

Mom immediately pulled Daphne closer.

"How could this be your fault? Alice is the one being unreasonable. You picked that hair clip yourself. Don't give it to her. We can't keep letting her get her way. The more we give in, the worse she'll become."

Hovering above the car, I watched Daphne's little act and muttered smugly, "See that? This time, I can hold my breath forever! I've gone all in this time. How are you supposed to compete with that?"

The car pulled into the underground garage and stopped.

Mom got out first, taking Daphne by the hand.

"Take it slow. It's drafty down here, and I don't want you catching a chill. I'll make you some soup once we get home."

Dad opened the back door. He grabbed my lifeless arm and hoisted me over his shoulder.

"So now you're pretending you can't hear us when we talk to you? I told you to get out of the car, but you wouldn't. Must you make me carry you? Why are you behaving like a spoiled kid?"

My body slipped down his back, completely limp.

Dad thought I was deliberately making things difficult, so he tightened his grip.

"You little brat, you sure are heavy. All that eating, and you still can't get anything through your thick skull!"

Dad carried me all the way to the elevator, and Mom calmly lectured me beside him.

"Alice, that's enough. The floor is cold. If you don't fix your attitude, you'll have a hard time once you're out in the real world.

"I know you want our attention, but hurting yourself like this will only wear everyone out. You were in the wrong today, and you must apologize to Daphne when we get home.

"Otherwise, you'll lose your allowance for the day."

I doubled over with laughter in midair.

Daphne never got to enjoy this kind of treatment.

I totally won this round. I crushed her!

Once we got home, Dad laid me on my bed and pulled a thin blanket over me.

He stood beside the bed, sounding tired.

"Let Alice think about how she should behave as an older sister. No one is to speak to her until she's learned her lesson.

"She's gotten this awful because we've spoiled her. We need to put a stop to it today. Let's see how long she keeps holding her breath."

Mom stood outside the door and spoke gently.

"Alice, I know you're awake. Just come out, say you're sorry, and promise you won't bully Daphne again. Then I'll heat up some food for you right away.

"When you've thought it through, knock on the door. If you don't, you'll stay in here and go hungry. Maybe skipping a meal or two will make you learn your lesson."

Mom locked the door from the outside.

My spirit passed through the door and watched Mom and Dad fuss over Daphne in the living room, asking her all sorts of questions.

Mom poured her a glass of warm water. "Are you still dizzy? I'll make you some soup. Lie down on the couch and rest for a while."

Dad brought Daphne her house slippers. "Next time you feel sick in the car, just tell me. I'll slow down. Don't worry about Alice throwing a fit. She just has too much time on her hands."

I floated in midair, watching the happy family of three in the living room. I wasn't upset at all.

Because I knew that in a few days, when my body turned blotchy and started to stink, they'd finally hold me in their arms.

I might have given my life for this competition, but I came out on top!