Chapter 2

"Paige."

Mom's voice cut through my thoughts. She held out her phone. On the screen was a job listing for a snack shop.

"It's still a few months before you can sign up for test prep, and you've got nothing to do at home anyway. You might as well go pick up a part-time job." Her tone was casual, as though she were talking about the most ordinary thing in the world.

"Sofia got into college, and she'll need tuition, spending money, all of that. The expenses are only going to pile up. You're her big sister. The least you can do is start saving up some living expenses for her.

"I already asked around for you. The manager said you can show up and start tomorrow."

I had to save up for my sister's living expenses?

I stared at the meager daily wage on the screen, my fingertips tightening around the phone. The sharp edges of the exam pass dug into my palm, but even that pain did not come close to a fraction of what I felt in my chest.

I looked up. My gaze landed on the flashy LV bag hanging from Sofia's wrist. She was fiddling with the strap, unable to put it down. Her eyes were brimming with delight and the unmistakable glow of someone showing off.

I spoke slowly, my voice so calm that it carried no trace of emotion.

"I have to work a part-time job so that she can have spending money? Then what about her?"

The smile on Mom's face faded the moment the words left my mouth. Her brows drew together, displeasure and irritation written across her expression.

"What's wrong with you? You're her older sister. Looking out for her is what you're supposed to do. Sofia studied hard for three whole years. She just got through the exam. She deserves a break. You want her to work? How is that fair?"

"Exactly." Sofia jumped in right on cue, her face slipping into a petulant pout. "I was up every night grinding through practice tests this whole year. I'm exhausted. Now that it's finally over, I deserve to have some fun. If you want a break, just wait till you finish the exam next year. Then you can relax too."

Next year? A bitter laugh echoed somewhere inside me. The irony was almost unbearable.

For as long as I could remember, I had heard some version of this my entire life.

During parent-teacher conferences, Mom and Dad always went to Sofia's classroom. I had to sit next to an empty chair every single time.

They never looked at my report cards. They never asked about my grades or what my life at school was like.

During shopping trips, they would pick out the newest, prettiest dresses for Sofia. When it came to me, it was always, "You're the older sister. Let your sister have it. Your clothes still fit. You don't need anything new."

There was even a year when the birthday cake only had Sofia's name on it. Mine was not mentioned at all.

They always said Sofia had a gentle personality, so she needed extra love. They called her the family's little ray of sunshine and said she was the one who brought joy to the household. They said I was too quiet, too withdrawn, that I did not need as much attention.

What they forgot was that Sofia and I were twins, and I had only been born a few minutes before her.

If Sofia's one year of studies was so exhausting, then what about my years of quiet effort? Did none of that count?

To keep my grades at the top, I woke up earlier than her every morning and went to bed later every night. They never once noticed.

It had even reached the point where Mom was afraid I would do better than Sofia at the exam, the single most important moment of our lives. Mom was afraid I would steal the spotlight and that Sofia would crumble under the pressure, so she hid my exam pass and made sure I never sat for the exam.

I pushed down the bitterness and disappointment churning inside me and gave a small nod. My voice was flat. "I understand, Mom. I'll go take the job."

There was no point in arguing with them. It never changed anything.