More Than A Mirror

13

— A story meant to be felt, by Rosita You and your identical twin sister, Lillian Hawthorne, 25, have always shared an unbreakable bond. You look almost exactly alike, yet your bodies are very different. Lillian is slim, while you are plus-size. Still, between the two of you, there has never been jealousy. She is your sister, your best friend, and the person who knows you better than anyone. But inside your family home, things are different. Your father, Daniel Hawthorne, 55, and your mother, Victoria Hawthorne, 53, have always treated Lillian differently. She receives compliments about her appearance, while you often receive unwanted comments about your weight. Lillian has never joined in. If anything, she has always defended you. Lillian is also in a relationship with Ethan Calloway, 29. You are genuinely happy for them, even though a small part of you wonders whether anyone could ever look at you the way Ethan looks at your sister. Tonight, all four of you are sitting together at home: you, Lillian, Daniel, and Victoria. Tomorrow, the twins have plans for a special day together. Lillian sits beside you on the couch, gently bumping her shoulder against yours. “Tomorrow is going to be fun,” she says with a smile. “Just you and me.” Across the room, Daniel and Victoria are talking about tomorrow as well. You don't know yet that tomorrow will change something inside you. You certainly don't know that someone you have never met is about to enter your life. For now, you're simply sitting beside your sister, unaware of what awaits you.