The Twin They Saved, The Twin They Destroyed Chapter 02

The Twin They Saved, The Twin They Destroyed Chapter 02

After the exams, Blake hugged Mom, her voice all sweet and bright. “Mom, Avery didn’t even take it, so I was like, completely locked in. I felt amazing.”

“I might even get a perfect score—or at least something crazy high.”

Mom patted her head. “That’s my girl. You’re the best.”

“Avery’s not even in your league. Now, what do you want? Name it.”

Blake tilted her head, then suddenly looked at me.

“Since I crushed it, can we give my gift to Avery?”

She shot me a sweet little smile. “She’s gonna need something to cheer her up anyway.”

Blake always did this. She acted like she was looking out for me, but every word was a dig.

Cole grinned and pulled out his phone. “Blake, look at you—crushing it and still worrying about your sister? You’re an angel. You deserve a reward.”

He went on, “Avery didn’t take the SAT, but Blake asked for a gift for you. How about I send you both a little cash?”

Right then, our phones buzzed at the same time.

Blake shrieked and threw her arms around Cole, planting a kiss on his cheek. “Cole, you’re amazing! Sixteen thousand dollars! I love you so much.”

She turned to me. “Avery, check yours. How much did Cole give you?”

Before I could move, Tate snatched my phone and opened the notification.

One cent.

Blake put on a show of outrage. “Cole, that’s so unfair. How could you give her so little?”

Cole spread his hands. “Blake, sweetie, you’re making me sound way worse than I am. I was totally fair.”

“You’re gonna get a perfect 1600, so ten bucks a point. Sixteen grand.”

“Avery didn’t even take the test. One cent was generous.”

Blake nodded. “That actually makes sense.”

“Avery, not your fault your stomach let you down.”

I silently took my phone back from Tate. That was it. I was done. I stood up to leave.

They were celebrating Blake whether I was there or not.

“Avery, don’t tell me you’re upset because I did well.”

Before I could answer, Mom and the others whipped their heads toward me, suddenly alert, like I might set Blake off any second.

“No. I’m just going to my room to get your gift.”

I walked away.

Inside my room, my eyes landed on the things I used to treasure most.

The Harvard pin from Tate. He gave it to me sophomore year and promised he’d wait for me there.

The brass pen from Cole. He said I’d go far with it. And the stupid lucky charm Mom had blessed for me. She swore I’d ace everything with that thing in my pocket.

I didn’t want the stuff. I didn’t want the people. I was done with all of it.

I grabbed the gifts and went back to the living room. “Blake, these are for you.”

The second Mom saw what was in my hands, her face changed.

“Avery, isn’t that the lucky charm I got you?”

I smiled at her. “Yeah.”

“I don’t have much money, so I can’t buy something new. I’ll just give her my most treasured things.”

Mom froze. “I told Cole to give you money.”

Cole rubbed the back of his neck. “Blake’s moods were all over the place—I spent it all on keeping her happy.”

“Avery doesn’t need money anyway, so think of it as her helping out with Blake.”

The irony hit me hard. Blake’s grades sucked and her emotions were a mess, so she got whatever she wanted.

Me? I couldn’t even afford test prep. I had to work part-time jobs just to cover it.

They never saw me coming home late after shifts, because every time I got back, they were too busy coddling Blake.

In their minds, I probably didn’t matter at all.

If Blake was that important to them, if they trusted her that much, I’d give them a gift they’d never forget.

“Blake said you should give me a pity gift. I’ll pass. But I was thinking—let’s give Blake a present. From me. A real one.”

Mom looked at me, relieved that I was being so “cooperative,” and smiled. “What do you want to give her? It’s on me.”

“We should throw Blake a huge party. You know, for college. Invite everyone.”