The first time I walked into that ballet studio, I could feel their eyes on me like needles. Charlotte stood at the front, her chin lifted, her voice dripping with disdain as she said, “Ballet is a proper dance for someone like me. If my shoes aren’t delivered before class starts, you’re dead. ” I stayed quiet, clutching the worn bag my foster mother had given me.
I knew my place here, or at least I thought I did. She didn’t stop there. “Make this adopted bastard understand that standing on the same floor as me dirties my dance shoes,” she announced to the others, and they laughed. I felt heat creep up my neck, but I said nothing.
This wasn’t the first time someone had tried to break me. “Stay still,” she ordered when I flinched, and I obeyed, because what else could I do? That afternoon, Charlotte’s ring went missing. She pointed at me without a second thought.
“Who else? It must be her. A beggar should know their place. ” The teacher searched my bag, and there it was, gleaming like a lie.
“Then what’s this? ” Charlotte smirked. I shook my head. “No way.
I put it in my bag before class. ” But no one listened. They never did. Then Brent, a boy I’d never spoken to, stepped forward.
He looked at Charlotte with cold eyes. “Do you know each other, Brent? ” a teacher asked. “Then explain clearly what really happened.
” Charlotte stammered, and Brent turned to me. “That’s the same age as our sister. ” My heart stopped. “Charlotte, we never abandoned you.
These all these years have passed. We never abandoned you. ” I didn’t understand. “Then prove you’re a Jenkins,” Charlotte snapped, but her voice shook.
“A pendant and her background are enough proof. ” Brent looked at me. “I do. Then roll up your sleeve.
”
I froze. “Enough,” I whispered, but Brent’s voice was sharp. “This is how you usually treat her. You’d better explain clearly why you didn’t tell us about her then.
” Charlotte’s face went pale. “It’s only because I have high standards for her. ” Brent laughed, bitter. “Easy enough.
” Then he looked at me, and something in his eyes softened. “Its shape is just like this scar. Exactly. What was its name?
” I could barely breathe. “You first. ” He said a name, and my chest cracked open. “If she can make up a story about amnesia, there’s no low she wouldn’t stoop to,” Charlotte hissed, but Brent ignored her.
“No, I’m telling the truth. What exactly are you hiding, Brent? ”
After that, everything unraveled. Charlotte’s mother, a cold woman with sharp eyes, pulled Brent aside.
“Oh, I raised her all these years. Charlotte’s someone else’s child. ” She looked at me with something that wasn’t love. “Charlotte, stay here or come with us.
You and Charlotte should get along. ” I wanted to scream. “All these are from my brothers. They told me clearly.
No mistake here. ” But Charlotte’s mother shook her head. “I think you should know your place. Even if they brought you back, you’re still unwanted trash.
”
I fled to my room, my hands shaking. Hugo, another boy who’d been kind, found me later. “Charlotte, I was wrong before. I’m truly sorry because you brought this all on yourself.
” I stared at him. “Hugo, what exactly is wrong with Charlotte? ” He frowned. “Do you two remember when our sister was little, she had asthma, too?
If it was pollen, both should have reacted. ” I felt the air leave my lungs. “Um, maybe it’s because I’ve recovered. I’m heading to bed.
” But Hugo didn’t let it go. “This doesn’t add up. ”
That night, I heard Charlotte’s voice through the wall. “Mom, what do we do if Brent finds out I’m an impostor because of this?
” My blood ran cold. “Let her recover first,” her mother replied. “I’m going to perform bypass surgery for a royal family member. ” Charlotte laughed, low and cruel.
“Go tell Miss Flint. ”
Miss Flint arrived the next day, her eyes scanning the chaos. “Flynn told me yesterday to keep an eye on the lounge to stop any bullying with all your noise. ” Charlotte smiled, sweet as poison.
“We would never do such things. ” Miss Flint’s gaze hardened. “Then explain all this mess. Even if you shout your lungs out, no one will come save you.
” But Charlotte just shrugged. “She should be fine. ”
Lewis, another boy, stared at me with dawning horror. “I’ve only seen that brand in fashion magazines.
You’re not a Jenkins at all. ” The room went silent. “If she’s not Miss Jenkins, who is questioning her? ” Miss Flint turned to me, her voice suddenly deferential.
“Well, Jen, Miss Jenkins, we have professional designers tailor these costumes and gowns just for you. Which of these outfits do you prefer? ” But Charlotte cut in, her voice sharp. “Have her help me with the shoes first.
Do as I say or I’ll have your legs broken and you’ll never dance ballet again. ” I didn’t move. “Faster or I’ll break your other hand, too. ” She grabbed my wrist, but I pulled back.
The truth finally came out, piece by piece. “It’s been 18 years after all,” someone murmured. “She’s not a Jenkins at all. ” Charlotte’s eyes went wide.
“Kathy, are you still dreaming at this point? She dares to treat you like that before we have to make her suffer enough. ” But Kathy, the real sister, shook her head. “I want you to leave immediately.
Didn’t you bully me before? Stay away from me. I haven’t forgotten a single thing you did to me. You should be in juvenile detention.
”
Charlotte’s world crumbled. “If I’m not mistaken, the Gibson family is about to go bankrupt,” Brent said, his voice flat. “Charlotte, barring any surprises, you’re a shoe-in for first place in death. ” He laughed, but there was no humor in it.
“All right, that’s enough. ”
On competition day, the stage lights blazed. “She’s still a no-show. She has to start in 3 minutes and she’s still not here,” someone whispered.
“Then the winner will be Kathy Gibson. ” But I was already walking forward, my heart pounding. “Wait, Charlotte, check this theater blueprint named after you. ” The paper trembled in my hands.
“All of them. ”
I looked up at the empty seat where she should have been, and I smiled.
