Chapter 1 - Identical
1466 Words
“I’m sorry, Miss Windsor, this is the absolute last time I can do this for you,” the bursar said. Her voice wasn't mean, but it was obviously final.
She took my promissory note and placed it on top of a stack of papers.
My face burned hot. I could feel the sharp stares of the students standing in line behind me. They were looking at me like I was a charity case. A year ago, I would have cried from the humiliation. Today, I just swallowed the lump in my throat. Pride is a luxury for people who can actually pay their tuition.
This piece of paper was my final lifeline. If the university rejected my next extension, my dream of graduating was dead. I can't lose this, I thought, my chest tightening with actual panic.
Mom worked herself to the bone for me to be here. I can't quit now.
I walked out of the administration building, my knees slightly shaking. I pulled out my phone and dialed my aunt's number. I needed help. I hated asking for it, but I had no choice. I tapped my fingers frantically against the plastic case, counting every second of the ringtone.
“Alexia? What's up?” Aunt Layla’s voice finally came through the speaker. Before I could speak, she muffled the phone with her hand. “Shh, quiet darling, stop crying. Mommy’s got you.”
I forced a small, painful smile. She sounded so much like my mom used to.
“Sorry about that, Alexia,” Layla said, sounding completely exhausted. “Leslie is really sick today. We are actually running out the door to the hospital right now to get her admitted.”
The words I had practiced in my head completely froze. A wave of cold numbness washed over me, settling deep in my stomach.
I can't do it. I can't ask her for money for my school bills when her own child is being rushed to the emergency room.
“Oh. It’s nothing, Layla,” I said, forcing my voice to sound light and normal despite the tears stinging the corners of my eyes. “I just wanted to see how you guys were doing. Do you need me to catch a bus home? I can help with the kids.”
“It’s okay, mija. You stay there. Just focus on your classes and take care of yourself, okay? I will keep you updated.”
“Okay, Layla. No problem. Please tell Leslie and Joseph I love them.”
I ended the call before my voice could crack. I looked down at the paper crumpled in my fist, staring at the huge balance I owed. Every single dollar felt like a mountain I couldn't climb.
I leaned my back against the concrete wall and let my head drop back. I closed my eyes, trying desperately to hold back the tears. I'm completely on my own, I thought.
Mom, what am I supposed to do now?
“I told you to just join the side quest I have!” Trixie said. She was busy arranging cosmetics onto the glass shelves by color, her acrylic nails clicking against the bottles.
I gave a dry laugh and shook my head, wiping down the glass counter with a microfiber cloth. My feet were already throbbing from standing on the hard floor for four hours, and this was only my first shift of the day.
“Stop inviting me to those kinds of jobs, Trix. I'm not interested."
"You want to fix your tuition problem, right?" Trixie leaned over the counter, dropping her voice to a whisper. "It's just five days of work as a lounge server at the casino. The tips from those rich guys are insane. Trust me, it pays fast. You could clear your university debt in less than a week.”
I shook my head again, placing a row of matte liquid lipsticks onto the display grid. The thought of working in a loud, smoky casino filled with aggressive gamblers made my stomach turn. I was already too tired to handle my normal life; I didn't have the energy for that kind of environment.
"I can't. Working at a casino feels like too much for me right now. I just need to find a normal night shift somewhere."
"You're going to run yourself into the ground, Alexia," she sighed, turning back to her shelves.
I didn't answer because she was right. I am already on the ground, I thought bitterly. I just haven't fallen completely flat yet. The wind chimes above the heavy glass door jingled, signaling a customer had walked in. The scent of an expensive, rich floral perfume immediately drifted through the air, replacing the sweet vanilla scent of our store products.
“Welcome to Ellery & Co!” Trixie called out, putting on her professional sales face and stepping forward to greet the woman.
I glanced up from my lipsticks. The customer was wearing a tailored cream trench coat and oversized sunglasses, looking like she belonged on a runway rather than a boutique in the city. She didn't even look at the main displays. In a quiet, hurried voice, she requested the private VIP area at the back of the store.
Hearing the demand, Allen, our store manager, immediately rushed out of his office to assist her, bowing slightly as he led her away.
The moment they disappeared behind the velvet curtain, Trixie hurried back over to me. Her eyes were completely wide, and she grabbed my shoulder, squeezing it hard.
“Damn! Did you see her? She looks exactly like you!" she whispered in total disbelief.
I pulled away slightly, adjusting the collar of my cheap employee polo shirt. "Really? How is that even possible? People just have common faces, Trix.”
“I'm serious! She really does," Trixie insisted, looking back at the curtain. "Maybe your skin is a little lighter, and her hair is styled differently, but if you put on that expensive coat, you could be twins. It's creepy."
“Okay, okay, Trix. I have to go now. My shift ended ten minutes ago, and I need to get to my next job across town,” I said, untying my store apron and folding it. I couldn't spend my time daydreaming about rich customers who happened to look like me. I had a bus to catch.
Trixie pouted, tossing a makeup sponge into a basket. “Don’t forget about the casino offer, okay? Just think about it if you get desperate.”
“Fine, fine—oh! I'm so sorry,” I stammered, throwing my hands up as I rounded the corner of the aisle and nearly collided into someone's chest.
Allen, our manager, shot me a sharp, angry glare over the woman's shoulder, his eyes telling me I was on the verge of getting fired for my clumsiness.
“It’s fine," a soft, clear voice said.
The woman had stepped out of the VIP room to look at a display near the exit. Because of our near-collision, her large sunglasses had slipped down the bridge of her nose.
I looked up to apologize again, but the words died completely in my throat. The breath left my lungs.
I froze. My eyes went wide as I stared at her. The woman froze too, her hand stopping in mid-air as she looked down at me.
The resemblance wasn't just a coincidence. It wasn't just a vague similarity like Trixie had described. It was terrifying. She had my nose. She had the exact shape of my eyes, the same curve of my jaw, and the same slight arch in her eyebrows. The only difference was the flawless makeup, the expensive jewelry, and the heavy air of wealth surrounding her. It was like looking into a mirror that was showing someone else's perfect, privileged life.
What... what is happening? My mind screamed, my heart hammering violently against my ribs. Who is she?
Her lips parted slightly, her eyes sweeping over my cheap shoes, my faded jeans, and finally locking onto my eyes. For a second, pure panic flashed across her face, replacing her calm, wealthy expression. She recognized it too. She saw me.
"Excuse me, ma'am, this way please,” Allen interrupted quickly, entirely oblivious to the tension. He stepped between us, breaking our eye contact and politely guiding her toward the private register.
The woman tore her gaze away from me, her posture turning rigid as she followed him. I stood completely frozen in the middle of the aisle, my hands trembling as the heavy scent of her perfume lingered in the air.
- Writer
