As summer faded into fall, the air in Manilla grew cooler, and the leaves began to turn shades of orange and yellow. For Kara, this time of year was filled with excitement; the school year was just beginning, and she could feel the thrill of new possibilities. However, for Sara, it was a mix of emotions. With each passing day, she felt Kara drawing closer to Edward, a boy who had caught Kara's eye and caught Kara in a storm of confusion.
Edward was friendly and charming. His brown hair was always slightly messy, and his blue eyes sparkled when he laughed. Kara had been talking about him ever since the school year started. "He thinks I'm fun and cool! He called me that the other day," she exclaimed with a bright smile. Sara felt her heart ache every time she heard Kara mention him. Although she wanted her sister to be happy, she couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy and longing.
One sunny afternoon, Sara was sitting under a tree with her sketchbook, trying to focus on drawing the colorful leaves. But her mind kept wandering back to Kara and Edward. She could hear their laughter from the schoolyard, where Kara was surrounded by friends, jokes, and playful banter. Sara felt small and invisible in the shadow of her sister's happiness.
That afternoon, Edward walked over to where Kara was sitting with friends. He leaned against the tree and started chatting with her. The sun illuminated Kara's face, making her look magical. Sara wished she could be as confident as Kara and have someone look at her like Edward looked at Kara. Clenching her pencil tightly, she tore her gaze away, trying to focus on her art.
"Sara!" a voice called out, snapping her from her thoughts. It was Jill, her best friend. "What are you drawing?"
"Just some leaves," Sara replied, looking down at her sketchbook. It was only half-finished.
"Do you want to come and play with us?" Jill asked. "It looks like Kara's having too much fun without you."
Sara shook her head. "I think I'll just stay here."
"Are you sure? You know Kara would be happier if you joined us," Jill encouraged. But Sara didn't feel like being part of the laughter. Instead, she preferred to stay in her bubble of comfort.
As days turned into weeks, the tension between Kara and Sara grew. One Friday, Kara burst into their room, excitement radiating from her. "Sara, you won't believe it! Edward asked me if I want to go to the autumn festival with him tomorrow!"
Sara's heart skipped a beat, but not in a happy way. She forced a smile, trying to be supportive. "That's awesome, Kara! You should go!"
"Do you think so? I mean, what if he doesn't like me after the date?" Kara's usual confidence wavered for a moment.
"He's into you, Kara. You'll be fine," Sara reassured her, though inside, she felt a sharp pain. Part of her hoped Edward would see her, even just for a moment, and realize that she was fun and interesting too. But as the festival approached, she felt invisible.
The day of the festival arrived, full of twinkling lights and laughter. Kara wore a beautiful dress that highlighted her features, and she looked stunning. As she walked toward Edward, her heart soaring, Sara couldn't help but admire her sister. At the same time, though, Sara felt the weight of her own sadness.
The festival was vibrant, full of games, food stalls, and a maze made of hay. Kara and Edward looked happy, winning prizes and taking pictures together. Sara wandered through the festival, watching, feeling more like a ghost than a participant. She tried to smile and enjoy herself, but every time she saw Kara and Edward laughing together, it felt as though a piece of her heart was breaking.
Later, as the day turned to night, Sara sat on a bench alone, watching other kids enjoy the festivities. She noticed Kara and Edward dancing under the stars, their smiles lighting up the night. At that moment, Sara felt a wave of emotions wash over her. She wanted to be happy for Kara, but the jealousy and longing inside her felt overwhelming.
Suddenly, she heard footsteps beside her. It was Jill. "Why are you sitting here all alone?" she asked. "You should join them!"
"I'm fine," Sara said, but her voice was shaky.
"I can see you're not," Jill said kindly. "It's okay to feel like this. Do you like Edward?"
Sara glanced down, knowing the truth. "I don't know. I just… I wish things were different."
Jill sat down next to her. "You're more than just Kara's sister. You have your own special qualities. You just need to be brave and show them."
Sara nodded, appreciating her friend's comfort, although it was still hard to accept. She stared at the dancing couple, wondering if she would ever feel that kind of happiness. Maybe, just maybe, she could find her own way to shine, too. As the festival continued around her, Sara realized she was standing at a crossroads—she could either remain in the shadows or step out and find her own light.