Chapter 1My Golden Child Twin Is Genuinely A Disaster

My twin sister, Stella, was live on national television, her eyes wet with what looked like genuine, heartbreaking tears. She was facing the camera, accusing our mother of "literally chaining her to an oak tree like a dog" during our childhood, all while letting me "run wild."

The comments section exploded. The entire internet was pouring sympathy onto her, vilifying me as the spoiled, privileged golden child.

I scoffed. "We chained you to the tree, Si, because if we didn’t, you were going to try and swim in the septic tank again."

Her neck stiffened in indignation. "Fine, but what about elementary school? Mom spanked me in front of the whole class, then bought you a Snickers bar? That wasn't for my own good, was it?"

I gave her a flat look. "That was because you put plant food in my mashed potatoes, claiming you wanted to help me 'grow taller.' If my teacher hadn't seen the bag, I would’ve aged out of the gene pool at six!"

Suddenly, the furious, pity-filled scrolling in the comments section stopped. The online mob went silent.

[Wait... the sister didn't pull a full 'Medea' on her?]

* * *

I was slamming my head against my desk, desperately trying to finish a graphic novel deadline, when my phone buzzed. It was Stella.

"Sis."

That word. She usually calls me Roxanne or Ro. She only uses "Sis" when she’s either completely wrecked the car or is about to cash in a major favor.

The tip of my stylus didn't stop moving on the screen. "Spit it out, Stella. I'm on a deadline."

She chuckled nervously. "I need to use one of the I.O.U. cards."

Years ago, after a particularly violent sibling feud, I'd scribbled out three "One Favor Owed" coupons to placate her.

I played dumb. "Didn't you use those up trying to get me to clean your room that one summer?"

"Bull! One left!" Her voice shot up an octave.

"Did it? I don't recall."

"Yes, you do! It says 'Must attend one public event of my choosing.' You have to come on this reality show with me."

"Absolutely not," I said, without even thinking.

There was no way I was going to be a prop in some forced-drama reality show. I’d rather face my deadline alone.

Stella squealed. "But I used the I.O.U.! You have to honor it, you human-sized block of ice!"

"Fine. What do you want?"

"It’s a mother-daughter bonding retreat. You and Mom, me and you, the whole shebang. Three pairs."

"I’m not going," I repeated.

A silence stretched across the line. Then, Stella deployed the nuclear option.

"Mom said if you don't go, you're not allowed to pull all-nighters in the den anymore. Also, those front-row tickets for The Void Hearts? The ones you’ve been obsessed with for six months? I managed to score two. If you ditch me, I'm giving them to Gary next door."

My stylus clattered onto the desk. The temptation was too much.