The Twin They Saved, The Twin They Destroyed Chapter 01

The Twin They Saved, The Twin They Destroyed Chapter 01

My twin sister Blake Lawson was diagnosed with something called Sibling Rivalry Disorder.

Every time I outscored her, she’d stay up all night, cutting her arms with a razor blade.

The doctor’s treatment plan was insane: I was supposed to get worse so she could get better.

And my family? They couldn’t move fast enough.

Mom would set my alarm clock back, watch me scramble out the door, and turn to Blake like she’d just pulled off a magic trick. “There. Your sister’s already late.”

My brother Cole Lawson offered to drive me to school. Five minutes later, the car conveniently broke down. I grabbed my bag and ran, and as I passed the driver’s side, I caught him grinning into the rearview mirror like he’d just won something.

Then there was Tate Mitchell, my childhood friend. He’d sling an arm around my shoulders, pull me close, and talk to me like I was five. “Just bomb one test, Avery. You’re smart, just retake the exam. What a big deal?”

Blake’s scores kept climbing. Everyone was convinced their plan was working.

On SATs day, when they handed me that bottle of water, I hesitated for a second—then drank.

Ten minutes later, I clutched my stomach and bolted out of the exam room.

They all turned to look at me—all that fake worry, and underneath it, this smug little glow like they’d just won something.

In that moment, whatever was left of my hope just… died.

I just wonder—what will they do when they realize the one they destroyed was Blake?

***

I was completely wrecked. My legs shook as I stumbled out of the bathroom, using the wall to hold myself up.

They crowded around me with fake concern. Mom looked at me, all apologetic. “Avery, don’t blame us.”

“If Blake doesn’t get into an Ivy League school, you know what happens next. Another episode.”

“Be a good girl and let your sister have this.”

Cole shrugged. “Avery, if you don’t get into a good school, I’ll take care of you.”

Tate chimed in softly, “Exactly. Your grades are amazing. Worst case, you could always just take a gap year and retake the exam if you really wanted to.”

I busted my ass for eighteen years, and all because of Blake’s so-called disorder, they did everything they could to tank my scores.

I didn’t have the energy to argue anymore. I turned to leave.

Mom grabbed my arm. “Blake isn’t out yet! You’re waiting with us.”

They didn’t see my pale lips or the way I pressed my hand against my cramping stomach.

They only had eyes for Blake.

The bell rang. Blake walked out, pouting. “Avery, you’re already out—you must have finished early.”

“I knew I could never beat you.”

Her gaze flickered toward a tree. “Maybe I should just slam my head against that and get it over with. Save myself the embarrassment when scores come out.”

Mom rushed to hug her. “Blake, baby, what are you even thinking?”

Cole laughed. “Exactly. Like Avery could ever beat our girl.”

“She must’ve eaten something bad this morning—she ran out ten minutes in and spent a whole hour in the bathroom.”

Blake looked at them, testing. “You’re not lying to me?”

Tate held up his hands like he was taking an oath. “I swear, no lies.”

“You’re supposed to stay until near the end, right? She didn’t even make it fifteen minutes.”

“Yeah, they won’t let her back in. She’s done.”

I watched them use my ruined SAT to calm Blake down. My heart was already dead. I knew that. But it still ached anyway, this dull, stupid ache I couldn’t shake.

After a while, they finally noticed me.

“Blake, tell your sister yourself, okay?” Mom prompted.

Under their expectant stares, I said, “Yeah. I didn’t write a single word.”

Blake’s eyes lit up.

I went on. “Zero on the Reading and Writing section. My score won’t be high even if I keep going.”

“I’m not taking the rest of the exams.”

“Avery, you mean it?”

I nodded firmly. “For real.”