WRONG TWIN

RED OR BLUE?

Vera placed the wine-red velvety dress onto the sofa.

“Try it on,” she said, folding her arms.

Lily smoothed her sky-blue skirt and shook her head in disagreement.

“No. I’m not wearing that. It's too… too you.”

“You will if I have to bribe you,”

Vera said, rifling through Lily's bookshelf.

“Or charm you. Or gently flatter you into submission.”

“Charming me? Seriously? That's not your forte; just forget it. This blue dress suits me perfectly.” She twirled a little; the dress was simple, a knee-level gown with a few intricate embroidery.

“That red dress, it's loud, Vera. Too loud.”

“It’s dramatic,” Vera countered. “You need a little drama tonight. It’s his welcome party; I know you want to impress him.”

“I need comfort and normalcy,” Lily replied. “And I need not to be the center of controversy.”

A calm laugh could be heard in the hallway. Eleanor stepped in with a brushing motion at Gregory’s tie—he stood in the doorway, immaculate and unmoved.

“Is this about dresses again?” she asked, smiling.

“Mom, there you are. Look at this dress,” Vera said, brandishing the dress like evidence.

Eleanor glanced at the red fabric, amused.

“Let me guess, you want Lily to wear that. How about a compromise?” she offered.

Vera’s grin was immediate.

“Okay. I have something. Why don't I get to choose an accessory for Lily, and then she keeps her boring dress? Deal.”

Lily’s eyes narrowed with cautious curiosity.

“Something I think that isn’t as scandalous?”

“Not scandalous,” Vera promised, pulling a flowery brooch from the velvet. She held it out. “Just this,” she smiled mischievously.

Lily hesitated, then allowed Vera to pin the brooch at her collar. The gold winked. “That’s fine,” she admitted, surprised by how natural it felt, but not too convinced her sister would be so nice.

Gregory, who’d been watching quietly, cleared his throat.

“If you two are done with this unnecessary chattering, then let's go,” he said, his voice deep and calm with an undertone of command. “You have 10 minutes. Don't let the Streford’s name be linked with tardiness.”

Vera gave a mock bow as Gregory stepped out. “Consider me your stylist and your personal hurricane. You heard him, 10 minutes.”

Eleanor laughed. “I'll leave you girls to it; don't keep us waiting.” She leaves the room, following closely after her husband.

Vera goes back to her room to dress up; meanwhile, Lily can't help but admire the flowery brooch. As she fumbled with the beautiful brooch, she realized the fake petals were loose and falling.

At first she felt hurt, but the real reason left her blushing. The beautiful petals slowly fell, revealing a bold letter ‘R.’.

“Don't tell me ‘R’ means…”

She storms out of her room with a fierce blush on her face. “That sneaky girl, I won't spare her this time.”