Dearest

Dawn of Rivalry

Dearest conscience, I lie in debt to my unforeseen quail. I pledge allegiance to my guilt, and I apologize in advance for the soon-to-be haunted memories. I read this silently and slowly. It all happened bit by bit, time by time...

​Could she possibly have killed him?

No... She can't. She won't. She shouldn't.

​I kept on pondering, but this won't help—it never did. Everyone is devoted to their thoughts, and I can't be crucified on someone else's cross. But that "someone" is my sister.

​I'll just ask her... Maybe I shouldn't. She'll feel bad. She's my twin sister, she'd never do that, I told myself. I don't need to inherit her problems just because we share blood.

​So, I picked up my phone. And I called Rayna.

​Heyyy... What's up?

​You sound weird," Rayna replied. Nothing is up. Why'd you call?

​Where are you at?

​Home, she said, wondering why she was asking such a question, right before she heard a sudden noise through the receiver.

​You know Caleb was killed? Nova said.

​How cute, Rayna said nonchalantly. "You should know the last animal I care about is your god-forsaken boyfriend.

​You know who I suspect? Nova asked slowly, her voice fading.

​Who?!

​You!"

​Are you crazy?! Rayna snapped. Girl, I hate your boyfriend, but I am not an animal who kills people. And how come you even know he was killed? You knew him well enough, so maybe you should know who killed him. Don't play your dirty games with me, I'm not your dumb boyfriend.

​Let's be real, Nova cut in. "You wanted that dumb boyfriend, so you used Ian because you knew he hated me. Drop the f*****g lies and don't mess with my head. Keep it in mind that I'm your twin. You've been confined to me since birth, so don't you dare lie to me."

​Thanks so much. It's an extremely beautiful honor that my twin sister thinks of me like this... I'm highly grateful, Rayna said in her most disappointing tone.

​Miss... Do not...

​She got hung up on right in the middle of her sentence.

​Just great, Nova said, staring at Ian, who was smiling at her from a distance. "Did the plan work?

​And cut! the director called out. "That was a very beautiful scene. Let's give it up for our upcoming actress, Sayntelle Jaxen!"

​The entire room filled with applause and chatter as I quietly exited the set and headed home.

​I'm Kyra Denim Jaxen. That wasn't just a scene; it was a glimpse of my life story. My twin sister is Kassie Creme Jaxen. We were supposed to be twins, until one of us began to bask in the other’s misery. We slowly built a wall of hate around us and called it friendship. We live in a facade declared as sisterhood, which we both know is an open enmity.

​(Eight Months Ago)

​Kassie I have beautiful news!

​Oh, great. I knew there was nothing meaningful she wanted to say, but who else was she going to tell all her nonsense to if not me?

​Guess what? she asked, smiling boldly.

​What?" I said, forcing a smile back.

​Do you know the filming company I told you I auditioned for? she sat on my bed, squealing.

​Yeah... I muttered, reaching for my phone. We had both auditioned at that company for the lead roles.

​I was selected! And guess what role I was given..." She rose from the bed, practically vibrating. I was given the lead role! She started jumping happily.

​Wh...at? How come...? Wh...y?

​What do you mean by why?" she asked, sitting back down on her own bed across the room. Aren't you happy for me?

​Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be happy for you? Definitely, I'm happy for you. So happy for you," I managed, plastering on a fake smile.

​Kyra know we both auditioned for the role, Kassie added, "but of course I got it because my acting was way more phenomenal. No offense." She said it in a way specifically designed to make me uncomfortable.

​Yeah... you've always been. I have things to do, please shut the door on your way out.

​She left the room, still squealing, and slammed the door behind her.

​The movie had just started. I glared at the picture of the two of us taken two years ago at Ocean Avenue. She always thought she was better, far more beautiful. A single tear betrayed my emotions, slipping down my cheek.

​I don't want to do this, but I have to. I'm sorry in advance, I thought, roughly wiping the tears away.

​Kyra!! Kyra!!!" my mom screamed, rushing down to my room.

​She pushed the door open, smiling lightly. I just stared at her.

​Can I come in?"

​Of course you can, Mom," I said, shifting on my bed.

​So... are you available for dinner tonight? We're going to Luis' to celebrate your sister's win.

​Erm... I'm not, actually. I have a shoot tonight, and unfortunately, I can't postpone it. But we'll celebrate together when I'm home.

​Oh. Her face fell into a hint of disappointment.

​I'm sorry, I said. "You know how important this shoot is for me, I can't miss it. I can talk to Kassie if you want me to.

​A shoot is more important than your sister?Andrea asked, raising her brows. I know you both auditioned for the same role and she got it, but there are thousands of roles you can still play. It doesn't have to be that one. Okay? Get dressed and come to dinner.

​I'm sorry, I simply can't. I'll talk to her, but I won't jeopardize my career for fries and wine. That's just me celebrating my failure, and I won't be stupid enough to sponsor such nonsense."

​Kyra listen to me, Andrea said, her voice sharp with anger this time. You will get dressed, you will get your butt on that chair, and you will have dinner with us like a family. Like the good twin sister you are. I am not tolerating any excuses. You will be there. She turned to leave.

​I WOULD NOT BE THERE, MS. ANDREA... Please respect my decision, as you're not my mom, but my stepmom," I shot back.

​She paused. The room went dead silent. She turned back to look at me, her voice dropping dangerously low. She walked closer, but I maintained my glance—unshaken and unapologetic.

​I know I'm not your mom, Andrea whispered intensely, glaring out of pure anger. I'm your sister's mom. And the sooner you accept that, the better.

​We'll see, I said, holding her gaze with a cold smile.

​Andrea walked out, slamming the door. The moment it clicked shut, the tears I had held in for so long finally broke free. This was the game. I had to be strong for myself a lioness on the outside like my real mother, even if I had to cry alone.

​I sank down, sitting flat against the back of my door. Just then, my phone beeped. I stood up lazily, wiping my eyes, and read the text from the director:

​–Sorry, You're no longer needed for the shoot–

​There was a long moment of absolute silence.

​I didn't know whether to laugh, cry, or just smile. But whatever happened next, I knew one thing I was going to that dinner. And I was going to be such an actress. I would play my role in the movie they sponsored, and to their sweetest dismay, it would be the most beautiful scene of the night.

​I roughly wiped the tracks from my face.

​Hii...I waved to the family, entering the restaurant with a bright smile.

​Thought you wouldn't show up," Andrea said, her tone dripping with mockery.

​Of course I'd show up. This is my sis we're talking about," I said smoothly, stepping up to hug Estelle from behind her chair.

​You're late. Dinner started at 7:30 you're here at 9:00, Andrea noted, her smile completely fake.

​What matters is my presence, not the time, I replied, handing her a deadly glare disguised as a smirk. So... everyone, I have news. I didn't come alone. Silas, please come in.

​Kassie's jaw dropped. "Wh...at? Caleb?! She jumped out of her chair, completely bypassing me to hurry over and throw her arms around him. You told me you wouldn't be home! Why'd you lie to me? She pouted, trying to look cute.

​Andrea’s face froze completely. I kept a firm, locked glance on Silas, and he stared right back at me intensely.

​I missed you so much, I have so many things to tell you Kassie squealed, dragging him toward an empty seat in the most hideous, desperate way.

​Are you happy? I asked, smiling warmly at Kassie.

​Yes! You're the best! she said, wrapping me in a tight hug. Over her shoulder, my eyes remained fixed entirely on Silas.

​I smiled as the hug slowly dissolved.

​This is indeed a surprise, Andrea said, staring at me blankly, her mind clearly racing.

​You've been staring at me for a while now, I laughed, casually grabbing a fry from the table.

​Am I? Andrea scoffed lightly, looking away.

​Congratulations, Silas said, smiling at Kassie

​Thank you! she gushed stupidly, practically melting into her seat. I rolled my eyes internally.

​Actually, Silas added, looking across the table, Kyra told me not to tell you I was coming because we were planning a surprise for you.

​Awwww, thanks so much, you guys, Kassie said, completely genuine for the first time all night.

​Yeah, I smiled, the venom hidden perfectly beneath my teeth. Aren't we going to eat already? After all, we're here for dinner, right?

​Oh, yes..Let's eat! Kassie agreed.

​And so we ate, completing a dinner fueled by the darkest smiles and hidden laughs all around the table.