The speaker, Clarissa, introduces herself and her identical twin sister, Bella. She expresses her frustration with their identical appearance, which often led to them being confused for each other. She mentions how their parents used to dress them in matching outfits, which she found annoying. She also mentions the pressure they faced in school to perform equally well, despite having different strengths and interests.
In seventh grade, Clarissa impersonates Bella to participate in a beauty pageant, as Bella was too sick to compete. After winning, Clarissa feels a sense of accomplishment and visibility that she rarely experiences. However, Bella discovers the deception and is furious. They have a fight at the pageant, which results in them being banned from all future pageants.
Clarissa's life takes a turn for the worse after this incident. She becomes more invisible, as Bella continues to gain popularity. Clarissa also finds herself being overlooked by Mika, the football captain, who had expressed interest in her.
Desperate for change and attention, Clarissa decides to impersonate Bella again to try out for the school's cheerleading squad. She uses her eyebrows as a prop to look like Bella, but the tattoo sticker eyebrows end up staying on for several days, causing a rift between Clarissa and Bella.
Clarissa finally decides to apologize to Bella and Eugene, acknowledging her mistakes and expressing regret for the pain she caused. The story ends with Clarissa preparing for a kidney transplant to save Bella's life, reinforcing their bond as twins and the lengths they are willing to go for each other.
Here are some key facts extracted from the text:
1. Clarissa and Bella are identical twins who look alike but have different personalities and interests.
2. Clarissa feels overshadowed and ignored by her sister and her parents, who favor Bella more.
3. Clarissa goes to a beauty pageant as Bella and wins, but Bella finds out and ruins it for her.
4. Bella starts dating Mika, the football captain, who Clarissa has a crush on, and mocks her for her failed attempt to change her look.
5. Clarissa sabotages Bella's audition for a dance academy by doing a bad performance as her.
6. Bella falls sick and needs a kidney transplant, and Clarissa agrees to donate one of hers.
7. They both apologize for their actions and try to reconcile before the surgery.