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I've noticed that since Era (Xiera) and I were at first grade, she always has low marks on our tests and quizzes. While I am always the highest. Mommy is always disappointed with her, because she always have a failing marks every grading. While mommy was proud of me because of my excellent marks. I've even became the top of our class. But I'm not that happy about it, I mean, yeah mommy always been proud of me and praised me, but she always ignore Era's presence? I think it's so unfair of her to just ignore my twin like that you know, she's also her daughter. And having a low or high marks must not effect her love for her—for us.
How can I help my twin....? Right! I know exactly what to do. Yes, that's right!
"Pst! Era" I call Xiera who is sitting next to me. She looked at me. "Why, Dev?" she asked.
"When we take the quiz, don't name your paper yet. Then after we finish the quiz, give me your paper. Don't name it” I told her with a smile. I am happy because I can now help my twin.
"Huh, why” she asked.
"Just do it! I have a plan. Trust me. You don't wanna be scold by mother again, right?” I said. She's confuse but she lately agreed, no idea to what my plan is. Era's supposedly score is mine and my supposedly score is hers.
Mommy and daddy are no longer will disappointed with her, yey!
***
I did it for the whole school year, she still didn't know my plans because I really kept it a secret to hers. She insisted to know but I really did not tell her. She'll just feel guilty. I continue doing it until mommy and daddy get my card.
"What is this, Devon?! Is it still a grade?! Your grades are so low! What happened to you?! You used to have high marks, but what happened! I can't believe it! Fix yourself! Why don't you imitate your twin who is so talented that her marks were outstanding! How can you be a lawyer if you are like that?! Fix yourself, or you won't like what will happened” I nodded and started crying.
"B-But, mom-" I held her hand when she was about to say my 'secret' to mom. I mean yes she don't know about it, but she knew it's about my so-called plan. Mother must not know this, or Era will be the one who'll get to receive this heartbreaking words again.
"Shut your mouth child! Or I'll beat you!" I cried even more and was suddenly felt nervous because mother threatened to beat me. I don't want to get hurt!
I sniffed.
"Ahh, so you're not going to shut up?!" Mommy shreaked with a furrowed forehead. I saw her take off the belt she was wearing which made me even more scared.
I cried louder. I sat down on floor in fear. "Lie down!” I shook.
"S-Sorry, m-mommy. Please d-don't hurt m-me” I begged.
"I told you to lie down! If you won't obey me, this belt will hit your head! You don't me to do that, don't you? So obey!” she said referring the iron part on the belt.
In my fear and I obey him and lie down. And then she started spanking me with her belt.
"When I told you to shut up. Shut up!" she screamed as she continued to beat me.
"Mom, that's enough! Don't hurt my twin! P-Please.” Era tried to stop mother but she didn't stop.
Each touch of her belt made my sobs grow louder. While daddy was just watching and doing nothing.
Until mommy spontaneously stopped spanking me.
"Next time, learn to obey! Then fix your studies, huh?!" I nodded.
"Irresponsible!" Dad said. One word but made my heart broke. Why? Why do I have to experienced this? I mean it's my fault because I let Era have my marks. But...Era didn't experienced this kind of thing. When she got low marks, they'll just scold in her and ignore, but they didn't hurt her like this.
Mommy and daddy turned away at the same time.
Era approached me.
"Dev, are you okay? I'm sorry Dev, I'm to blame for this. That's my grade. If only I'm smart just like you. None of this would've been happened” she said while crying.
I smiled at her brightly. Saying that everything's okay. And to also cheer her up.
"It's okay, Era, it's all my fault this is all my plan? So everything that happened is my fault and mines only. But, it's all worth it. Mommy and daddy aren't disappointed in you! Don't think that I'm sad, instead, I'm really happy right now, Era. Because my plan worked out very well. We tricked them. They did buy it. I love you so much, Era. You're very important to me. I don't want you to get hurt, because we're twins! We're always together!” I said while smiling at her, as if saying everything's will be okay? I'm happy for my twin. Even though mother beat me, I'd bear it all just for her—just for Era. I love her very much because she's my twin. We were together since we were just in mother's womb.
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