The narrator, Christina, shares her life story, focusing on her complicated relationship with her mother, a university teacher, and her twin sister, Nadia, who is considered the "smart" one. As a child, Christina feels overshadowed by Nadia's academic achievements, and her mother's constant praise and attention towards Nadia. When Christina's parents get divorced, she moves in with her father, who eventually starts dating a quirky woman named Vanessa. After a head injury, Christina discovers she has acquired Savant syndrome, which enhances her math skills. Her mother takes her in, enrolling her in a special school, and Christina starts to excel academically, even surpassing Nadia. However, Christina realizes that her mother's push for excellence is rooted in her own insecurities and that she has been using Christina to boost her own image. With the help of her father, Vanessa, and a wise flower shop owner, Mrs. Garcia, Christina finds the courage to stand up to her mother and forge her own path. In the end, Christina and Nadia escape their mother's toxic influence, and they start a new life with their father and Vanessa, where they can be themselves and find their own happiness.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The narrator, Christina, is a twin who used to be close to her sister Nadia.
2. As they grew older, Christina felt overshadowed by Nadia's intelligence and academic achievements.
3. Their mom, a university teacher, favored Nadia and gave her extra lessons.
4. Christina's parents got divorced, and she moved out with her dad to a new apartment.
5. Christina's dad started dating a woman named Vanessa who owned a pet shop.
6. Christina initially didn't like Vanessa but eventually warmed up to her.
7. Christina had an accident and hit her head, which led to her developing Savant syndrome, a condition where she became exceptionally good at math.
8. Christina's mom, who had been neglecting her, discovered her new talent and decided to take her in to help her develop it.
9. Christina started attending a new school, NAIA, where she excelled in math and started winning contests.
10. Despite her success, Christina felt empty and unfulfilled, realizing that she was only doing it to please her mom.
11. Christina decided to take a stand against her mom's pressure and expectations, and with the help of her dad and Vanessa, she found the courage to speak out against her mom's behavior.
12. Christina and Nadia eventually left their mom's care and moved in with their dad and Vanessa.
13. Nadia found a new passion working with snakes, and Christina was still figuring out her interests and passions.