She always knew she wasn't as pretty as Claire. She'd heard the whispers in the bathroom, people thinking they were being quiet. She wasn't as tall, her skin wasn't as fair, and her grades never quite matched up. The only thing she had over Claire was that she was the real daughter of the James family.
But now, with Mom and Dad hearing about Claire getting into that winter camp, were they thinking about bringing her back? Cindy, the actual daughter, kept falling short, always making her parents lose face. Meanwhile, Claire, the adopted one, seemed to shine in everything, making the family look good.
The thought left Cindy feeling hollow. She could tell her parents, and even Lance, liked Claire more. All those times they promised that she was the only daughter they wanted? Lies. The moment she couldn't keep up with Claire, it was like they wanted to swap her out.
"She's not here. How would I know where she is?" Cindy's voice trembled as she glared at Lance. "If you want to find her, go ahead. I don't matter anyway."
Lance blinked, looking confused. "What are you talking about? Of course you matter. You're Mom and Dad's real daughter."
"No matter how perfect Claire is, she'll never be you."
"But the James family did raise Claire for eighteen years. They care about her. Inviting her back for dinner sometimes, it doesn't mean anything more. Don't let it get to you."
"Cindy, don't you see how amazing you are too?"
Lance was rarely this patient with her.
Cindy shook her head, not buying it. "How am I amazing?"
Didn't everyone think she was second best? Even Molly, her friend, believed it— she'd suggested Cindy repeat a year, for crying out loud. With half a year to go, Molly had already decided she'd never catch up to Claire. Why? What made Claire so unbeatable?
“You're sweet and kind. You made it all the way from a tiny mountain village to Apex. You fought for your place here, no one handed it to you."
"If you weren't smart, you wouldn't even have made it to Apex. I would never have found you."
"Seriously, think about it. Haven't you always been impressive?"
Lance's words actually got to her, just a little. Cindy thought back. She really had worked her way through
so many challenges to be real d
with her family. She should be proud of herself. And she was at least, until anyone mentioned Claire.
Compared to Claire, she might as well not exist at all. Claire was just too smart, too perfect. Sometimes Cindy wondered why fate had put them both in the world If only Claire maybe
wasn't so brillindy"
wouldn't look so ordinary by comparison.
"Lance, you're the only one who thinks I'm smart." Cindy's voice was small, her eyes red. “Everyone at school compares me to Claire. They all think she's incredible."
"She's always at the top of the class, she enters math competitions, ske made it into the winter camp. She could even get early admission to a top university Me? I can't even keep up in class most days."
Lance reached over and gently ruffled her hair. "You and Claire are both talented,
just in different ways."
"For example, you have a much better personality."
"You're kind. She's selfish."
"People like you way more."
Cindy stared at him, hope flickering in her eyes. “Really?”
"Lance, do you like me better than Claire?"
Lance hesitated, caught off guard for a second. "Of course. You're my sister, aren't you?"
Finally, Cindy managed a reluctant smile.
"Let's go find Claire and go home for dinner together."
Lance had managed to calm her down, at least for now. He pulled out his phone and called Claire.