Ximena's POV
Years Earlier
Having a twin brother should have been the ultimate gift. An instant companion, a built-in ally, someone who understood you without words. For the early years of my life, that's exactly what Anton was to me.
We couldn't have been more different if we'd tried. Anton shot up tall and lean, his athletic frame drawing people like a magnet. Meanwhile, I stayed short and soft around the edges, stumbling over my own shadow and turning red whenever strangers looked my way.
None of that mattered to me back then. I didn't need a crowd of friends when I had Anton. He was everything - my anchor, my protector, my whole world.
With Mom pulling double shifts just to keep us fed, it was usually just the two of us against everything else. Maybe that's why we held onto each other so fiercely.
"Anton, can we please go home now?" I dragged my feet through the grass while he tossed his football in perfect spirals.
"Chill out, Ximena. I promised this new kid I'd meet him here for some practice," he said, his eyes already scanning the field like he was visualizing his future glory.
"This is so boring." I threw myself down on the ground dramatically.
He rolled his eyes but reached into his pocket, pulling out a granola bar. "Here. Peanut butter. Stop whining."
My mood instantly lifted. "You're the best, Anton."
As I unwrapped my snack, Anton straightened up, watching someone approach from the field entrance. "There he is."
A boy our age walked over, carrying his own football. His hair was dark and messy, like he'd just rolled out of bed, but it was his eyes that made me stare. They were the most incredible shade of green, framed by lashes that seemed almost unfair on a boy.
"Hey there," he said to Anton.
"Ezekiel, right? This is Ximena, my twin sister."
I scrambled to my feet, brushing grass stains off my jeans. My mouth opened before my brain caught up. "Your eyelashes are incredible. Like, seriously long for a boy."
His face flushed pink. "Oh. Thanks, I guess?"
Anton let out an exaggerated groan. "She says whatever pops into her head. Fair warning."
"They're actually beautiful," I added, somehow making it worse.
"Ximena, maybe just sit over there while we throw around," Anton muttered.
"You don't play football?" Ezekiel asked me directly.
I shook my head quickly. "Sports aren't really my thing."
"Good thing," Anton laughed. "She'd probably trip over the ball before she could even pick it up."
I forced a smile and retreated to my spot on the sidelines, but I couldn't stop watching Ezekiel as he and Anton started their game. There was something quiet about him, almost hesitant. It made me want to know more, made me hope he'd like me.
When they finished up, Anton clapped Ezekiel's shoulder. "You've got serious skills."
"My older brothers beat some technique into me," Ezekiel shrugged.
"That's so cool! Are they your best friends too? Like me and Anton?" I jumped in eagerly.
"Not really. They're just... brothers. I don't actually have a best friend."
Something tugged at my chest. "You should definitely get one. Anton and I do absolutely everything together. He's literally the perfect best friend."
Ezekiel glanced at Anton. Anton just nodded casually.
Ezekiel seemed to understand something in that moment.
Looking back now, I realize how completely wrong I was about everything.
Some Time Later
"I'm not going to some stupid movie, Anton!" I crossed my arms defiantly.
"Too bad. Ezekiel and I want to catch the new superhero flick. Mom's working, so you're stuck with us."
"We always do whatever you and Ezekiel decide. What about what I want for once?"
He sighed heavily. "Look, Ximena, I love you, but sometimes I want to hang out without my little sister tagging along. Maybe you should make some friends of your own."
The words hit me like a slap. Before I could respond, the doorbell rang and Ezekiel strolled in with that cocky grin I was starting to recognize.
"What's up?"
"Get your shoes, Ximena," Anton commanded.
"She's coming with us?" Ezekiel's voice carried clear disappointment.
"Yeah, I'm stuck babysitting."
"Babysitting?" I exploded. "We're exactly the same age! You can't babysit me!"
"I'm older by minutes," Anton shot back smugly.
Ezekiel snickered. "She's definitely acting like a baby right now."
I stomped toward the stairs to grab my sneakers, but froze halfway up when Ezekiel's voice drifted up from below.
"Dude, your sister is such a pain. Wish she didn't have to follow us everywhere."
Anton's response shattered something inside me. "Trust me, I know exactly what you mean."
At the theater, I tried to shake off the hurt. "Anton, can we get the big popcorn? With extra butter?"
Ezekiel raised an eyebrow. "Do you really think you need extra butter?"
My hands clenched into fists. "I like it that way."
Anton handed me a few bills. "Just get yourself a small one."
As I walked to the concession stand, their voices carried over the lobby noise.
"She's always eating something," Ezekiel muttered.
"Yeah," Anton replied with a quiet laugh. "Sometimes it's embarrassing being seen with her."
The words felt like ice water in my veins. My own twin brother - the person I loved most in the world - was ashamed of me.
"Miss, you're next," the girl behind me said softly.
I shook my head. "Actually, never mind."
She looked concerned. "Are you okay?"
"No," I whispered. "I think I just lost my best friend."
She studied my face carefully. "I'm Glenda. We're in the same grade, aren't we? You're Ximena, Anton's sister."
"Yeah."
"What movie were you supposed to see?"
"Some superhero thing."
Glenda smiled mischievously. "Forget it. Come see the romantic comedy with me instead. Much cuter guys."
Before I could decide, Anton and Ezekiel appeared.
"Ximena, what's the holdup?" Anton demanded. "Oh, hey Glenda."
Glenda beamed at him. "Hi. Ximena and I decided to see the comedy instead."
Anton shrugged carelessly. "Whatever. Meet us in the lobby afterward."
As he and Ezekiel walked away, Glenda linked her arm through mine.
"Come on. You need something to make you smile."
I looked back one final time at my brother disappearing into his theater.
He stole my best friend, I thought bitterly. And I'm never getting him back.
Later
My teenage years hit me like a freight train. My body transformed in ways that felt completely foreign. Gone was the soft little girl - now I had curves that seemed too mature, breasts that developed too quickly, hips that made me feel like a stranger in my own skin.
Mom's voice echoed constantly: "Girls built like us need to dress modestly. Loose clothing is more flattering."
So I wrapped myself in baggy shirts and oversized hoodies, creating layers that I hoped would make me invisible. It never worked. The cruel comments found me anyway.
"Ximena, you're really wearing that tent?" Anton asked one morning, eyeing my flowing shirt with disgust.
"It's comfortable."
"It looks ridiculous." He walked away shaking his head.
Mom kissed my forehead gently. "Don't listen to him, sweetheart. He doesn't understand what girls like us go through."
The harassment started before I even reached the school entrance.
"Look, the carnival's in town!"
"Yeah, they brought the freak show!"
My stomach dropped when I spotted the source - Anton and Ezekiel surrounded by their football teammates, all erupting in laughter.
"Nice outfit, Ximena," Ezekiel called out loudly. "Did they run out of normal sizes?"
"Leave me alone, Ezekiel."
Anton smirked. "I told you it was way too big."
"Perfect for hiding that huge butt," Ezekiel added, sending the group into hysterics.
I turned away, pretending their laughter didn't slice through me. But it followed me down the hallway like a pack of wolves.
At my locker, my hands trembled as I fought with the stubborn handle.
Glenda appeared beside me. "Need some help?"
We yanked together until it finally gave way - and garbage bags came tumbling out, spilling across the floor.
A note taped to one bag read: "Found you a new wardrobe."
The crowd's roar of laughter was deafening.
"Did you two idiots do this?" Glenda snapped at Anton and Ezekiel, who had pushed through to watch the show.
Ezekiel grinned wickedly. "If she wants to dress like she lives on the streets, might as well give her the full experience."
Anton chuckled coldly. "Relax. It's just a harmless prank."
Glenda glared at him with pure fury. "She's your sister."
But Anton had already turned away with Ezekiel, leaving me standing in a pile of trash bags.
I stared down at the garbage in my hands. For one terrible moment, I wished I could switch places with them. To be the one laughing instead of the one being destroyed.
Present Day
Beep. Beep. Beep.
I slammed my alarm clock into silence. Senior year. My final sentence in this nightmare.
I'm Ximena. Nobody important. Just the overweight twin sister of Anton, star quarterback and school royalty. The girl his best friend Ezekiel Enzo has spent years systematically destroying.
There was a time, when I was young, when I thought Ezekiel was beautiful.
That innocent crush died a brutal death. Now as a senior, he's grown into everything girls dream about - tall, muscular, perfectly tousled hair, killer smile. The entire female population worships him.
And I despise every inch of him.
But he's permanently attached to my life because he's Anton's closest friend. The boy who stole my brother and never looked back.
I rolled out of bed and pulled on my daily armor: dark jeans, fitted tank top, oversized cardigan. The layers hide the body I've been taught to be ashamed of my entire life.
Time to sneak out before Anton spots me. Before Ezekiel's poison finds its target.
Another day. Another war.