The narrator, Mira, is a twin who has always felt like an outcast due to her unique appearance, having white skin and blonde hair in a predominantly Indian community. She is constantly bullied and ostracized, while her twin sister Nani is revered as a beauty. When Mira starts a pen pal relationship with a boy named Archer, she creates a false persona and sends him a picture of Nani, pretending it's her. As their relationship deepens, Mira becomes trapped in her own lies and struggles to keep up the charade.
When Mira's family moves to the United States, she is shocked to discover that Archer lives in the same city. She tries to maintain the deception, but eventually, the truth comes out, and Archer is furious. Nani, who has been covering for Mira, confesses that she likes Archer and has been pretending to be Mira to spend time with him.
The twins are eventually expelled from school due to their deception, and their parents threaten to send them to separate schools. However, they beg for a second chance and promise to be honest and support each other. Mira apologizes to Nani for her behavior and asks for forgiveness. The story concludes with Mira reconciling with Archer, who forgives her and asks her out on a real date.
Here are the key facts from the text:
1. The narrator, Mira, is from Delhi, India, and has a condition that turned her skin white and her hair blonde.
2. Mira has a twin sister named Nani, who is considered beautiful and popular.
3. Mira was often bullied and teased by people in her town because of her appearance.
4. Mira's parents had to take a test to prove that she was their biological daughter.
5. Mira started a pen pal relationship with a boy named Archer from the United States.
6. Mira lied to Archer about her appearance and sent him a photo of Nani instead.
7. Mira and her family moved to Portland, Oregon, where Archer lived.
8. Mira and Nani switched identities at school, with Nani using Mira's name and Mira using Nani's name.
9. Archer found out about the switch and was upset with Mira and Nani for lying to him.
10. Mira and Nani were expelled from school for taking each other's exams and switching identities.
11. Mira and Nani's parents decided to send them to separate schools, but the twins begged them to reconsider.
12. Mira apologized to Nani for her behavior and the two sisters reconciled.
13. Archer forgave Mira and asked her out on a date.
14. Mira and Archer started a romantic relationship.
15. Mira and Nani's parents allowed them to attend the same school again.
16. Mira learned to appreciate her relationship with Nani and value her sister's love and support.
17. Mira and Archer's relationship became a positive and supportive one.