I Could Never Replace Her

"Don't listen to them! You'll do great." My mom says to me as she straightens my gown. I had my doubts. I was no beauty queen. I knew that already. And if it was up to me, I would be at home locked in my room wearing a tee shirt and jeans instead of a ball gown and high heels. But it wasn't up to me. It was up to mom how I spent my time and ever since Lily died I didn't have the heart to tell her no.

The beauty pageants had always been Lily's thing not mine. Mom and her would travel the country winning trophies. We were twins but we couldn't have been more different. I know secretly mom wishes it would have been me. I see it in her eyes every time she looks at me. Deep down I wish it had been too.

"Perfect!" My mom exclaims as she finishes the last round of hairspray. "Now go out there and remember to smile!" I put on my biggest smile hoping no one will notice how fake it is. And stroll out on stage as my sisters replacement.