Chapter 2

The next morning, Mom fried two eggs in the kitchen.

She carried them to the dining table, muttering to herself, "One egg each for Alice and Daphne. I treat them both equally, so I'm never playing favorites. I give them both all the love I have, but Alice still doesn't appreciate it."

Mom handed Daphne a glass of warm milk and left my share on the table.

"Alice is still throwing a tantrum. If her milk gets cold, that's her own fault. We're not going to spoil her," Mom said. "If she keeps up with the jealousy, she can go without breakfast today. Maybe that'll teach her a lesson."

Dad walked to my bedroom door and knocked softly.

"Alice, come out for breakfast if you're awake. We all love you, and we don't want you to be upset all the time.

"If you come out and have breakfast, we'll let you off the hook for pretending to be sick in the car yesterday.

"You're Daphne's older sister. You need to act like it and stop competing with her all the time."

The room remained silent.

Dad shook his head and returned to the dining table.

"Alice is too stubborn for her own good. We need to let her get over this on her own. The more we try to coax her, the more she'll think she's right. Just leave her alone. When she's hungry enough, she'll come out."

Daphne picked up her milk and pretended to head for my room.

"Mom, I know how much Alice loves her warm milk. I'll take it to her. She'll be happy and open the door. I don't mind giving up mine."

Mom immediately stepped forward to stop her.

"Daphne, you're so frail. Don't go and provoke Alice. She's angry right now, and if you go in there, she'll take it out on you. I know you're sensible, but you can't keep giving in to her like this."

I floated beside the dining table and laughed.

"Daphne complains that her hands and feet are freezing whenever there's the slightest breeze. Then the whole family has to fuss over her and warm her up. Sorry, but my body's genuinely cold now. I'm dead, and I'm freezing from head to toe, 24 hours a day!"

I was going to be colder than Daphne in every way.

She'd never be able to match my level of dead-body chill in her entire life.

-

At noon, Mom walked up to my bedroom door carrying two shipping bags.

"Alice, I passed by the mall today and bought each of you a new jacket. They're exactly the same in quality and style.

"Just open the door, and I'll let you pick your color first. You've always liked red, haven't you? I made sure to get you a red one.

"I even asked the sales clerk for a limited-edition jacket. You'll look so cool in front of your classmates. Don't you love competing with others? This time, you can have your fill."

Mom stood outside the door and waited for five minutes but got no response.

She hung one of the bags on the doorknob.

"I've gone to so much trouble to give you a chance to make up, so why can't you appreciate it? Do you expect all of us to beg before you'll stop? I've given you all the love I have. What more do you want me to do?"

Mom sighed and walked away.

-

That evening, Daphne sat in the living room looking through a summer camp brochure. She took it over to Dad.

The brochure featured a picture of a rock-climbing activity.

"Dad, this summer camp looks like so much fun, but it's too expensive. Alice is still upset, so I'll skip it. We can save the money to buy her a gift instead.

"Alice loves rock climbing. She'll definitely win first place if she goes. I'll just stay home."

Dad pulled out his phone and paid for both of us on the spot.

"What's the point of winning if she can't even learn how to treat people right? No matter how well she does, she's still selfish. I'm being fair and signing you both up."

Dad turned toward my closed bedroom door and raised his voice.

"Alice, listen carefully. I've already paid for your spot. If you don't come out and sign the confirmation, you'll lose your place. Think about it. If you miss this chance, don't blame me for leaving you out next time."

Daphne kept her head down, unable to hide her smile.

Mom stroked her head. "You're such an easy child to raise. If only you were half as healthy as Alice, I'd be so happy."

I floated beside my corpse.

I watched large, purplish blotches begin to appear on my skin.

I felt like I had achieved an advanced skin transformation that ordinary people could never manage.

I had totally won this round, too!