Page 2 of My Twin Sister's Extremely Famous and Incredibly Hot Neighbor

I sink down on my chair and pull a doggie treat from my pocket. Squint jumps onto my lap and gobbles up the treat. My ex jokingly called my little Chihuahua that name when I first got him because he said he was so tiny he had to squint to see him, and the name stuck. The boyfriend didn’t. I pet my dog and wait for Jera to respond.

No sound comes out of the phone and for a minute I hold my breath, hoping she’s finally come to her senses. But then I hear a sniffle. “It’s not charity. It’s a trade.” A moment passes before she whispers, “‘Kenzie, I need you,” and I fold like a cheap pile of laundry.

My sister and I were best friends growing up. Our family didn’t have a lot of money, so we had to find our own things to do. We made up games and played in the neighborhood. But somewhere between high school and movie stardom, we drifted apart. Her pleading with me brings me back to that time when we would do anything for each other. I suddenly want to be there for her. Plus, I trust her not to get me into anything too terrible.

I take in a breath and stare at a mystery stain on my ceiling. “What would I need to do?”

“Nothing! I mean, just go to one party in my place. Oh, and one photo shoot but it’s no big deal.”

A party and a photo shoot? There’s no way I can do that. My stomach clenches just thinking about it. I can’t be around lots of people without my anxiety flaring up.

“Jera…I love you, but I can’t do that. I have responsibilities here. I have classes to upload.” Gah. Why can’t I think of something better? It was a dumb excuse, and I can hear how flimsy it sounds.

“You can do them here, in my house. I’ll buy you whatever you need. All new art supplies!”

My heart leaps at the offer. I’ve been working with a discount set of paints, but it’s all I can afford. I’ve been wanting new paintbrushes, too. Jera knows my weaknesses. I want to tell her yes, but instead I hear myself say, “You don’t have to buy me stuff.”

“It’s a trade.” She elongates the word, and I can’t help but seriously think about it. Then I think about the airport and all the people there.

“I hate flying.”

“I’ll send my jet. It’s luxury, and you won’t have to fly with anyone else.”

“Parties aren’t my thing.” Even though I’m hedging, I’m already thinking of all the things I’ll need to pack. I must be insane.

“It’s a small one. You just need to be seen and then you can leave. Simple, right? Do this for me?” Her voice takes on a pleading tone.

I want to say yes. I want to help Jera. I’m just not sure I can handle all that entails. Another thought enters my mind and I freeze. “What about Luke?”

Luke was her famous on-again-off-again boyfriend. They were in the celebrity news all the time. He’s some big-shot actor. He would definitely know I wasn’t Jera.

“We’re not seeing each other anymore, so don’t worry about him. See? This will be like a vacation for you.”

I pause, trying to gather up my courage. I could do this, right? Plus, I hadn’t seen my sister in forever. We’d get some quality time together. I’ve missed her.

Jera must think I’m going to say no again because she begs. “Please? I’ll upgrade your apartment. I know you complain about it. I’ll get you a three-bedroom in a nicer neighborhood.” When I don’t say anything she continues. “And I’ll pay you for the photo shoot. Five thousand dollars. It’s yours!”

I wonder if I continue to be silent if she’ll offer me even more, but instead of holding out, I laugh. “All right, all right. You don’t have to keep promising me stuff. I’ll do it just for the art supplies, as long as I can bring my dog. I’m really excited about the art supplies.”

“Yes. Fine! Bring him. Thank you!”

Squint licks my face as I end the call with my sister. “Guess we’re going on an adventure,” I say as I scoop him up. But even as I try to keep all the perks in my head, the daunting feeling of having made a bad decision squeezes my chest.

I shove away the ominous thought. It’s just a week. I only agreed to leave her house twice. Everything should be fine.

CHAPTER2

Iwipe the foggy mirror with a washcloth and try to see my reflection, but the steam in Jera’s bathroom is too thick. The second I arrived at my sister’s house, her hairdresser whisked me away to get highlights and a cut. Now it’s the next day and I’m trying to figure out how to style it.

I open the small window to try to let out some steam so I can see my new look. Well, notmylook. Jera’s look.

I comb through my wet hair, one of Jera’s expensive oversized towels wrapped around me. It’s like being wrapped in fluffy clouds. It goes all the way down to my knees. The shoulder-length cut suits my heart-shaped face and I smile at my reflection.

My phone rings and I quickly pick up. “Hello?”

“How’s everything going?” Jera asks.

“Fine.” I slide my feet into a pair of white slippers that Jera had sitting by her jacuzzi tub. This is luxury. “When will you get here?” I’d been surprised she wasn’t home yet.

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