Gee, what probing questions.

While that was happening, Janine's bio- chemistry teacher at the high school was talking to Dad. Then she said to me, "You're Janine's sister?" I nodded.

"Well, I'll certainly be looking forward to having you in my class one day - if you're anything like your sister. I must say, though, that it's hard to believe you are sisters." Well, thanks a lot. I've heard that plenty of times, but it never gets any easier. Most people say it when they find out what a dud I am in school. (I can barely spell.) I think this teacher meant, though, that Janine and I don't look alike. We certainly don't dress alike. For instance, that day, Janine was wearing one of her usual plain outfits - a long pleated plaid skirt, a white shirt with a round collar, stockings, and blue heels. Her hair is short and cut in a pageboy, so she can't do much with it. I, on the other hand, was dressed in one of my usual wild outfits - a very short black skirt, an oversized white shirt with bright pink and turquoise poodles printed on it, flat turquoise shoes with ankle straps, and a ton of jewelry, including dangly poodle earrings. My long hair was swept to one side in a high ponytail held in place with a huge pink barrette.

People kept looking at Janine and then looking at me. I could just tell they were all thinking, I can't believe you're sisters. Then they would ignore me and congratulate Janine.

I could not wait to leave that auditorium.

Chapter 2.

I have never been so relieved as I was when Dad put his hand on my shoulder and said, "Well, Claudia, shall we leave?" Shall we leave? It was all I'd been thinking about for the last hour. Now the final bell at SHS had rung and most people were filing out of the auditorium. The only ones left were a few of the kids who'd received awards, a few parents, a few friends, and Mom and Dad and me. Even Peaches and Russ were gone.

I wanted to say to Dad, "Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you. I can't wait to get out of here." Instead I said (and believe me, this took plenty of control), "Sure. I guess I'm ready." "Okay. Janine's going to come home later. She's going out with her friends to celebrate first." Celebrate where? At the library?