After the excitement of the Halloween party, Sara felt a shift within her. For the first time, she had stepped out of Kara's shadow—captivating her friends with her storytelling and even impressing Edward. But alongside that triumph, deeper feelings stirred inside her. And those feelings came with their own complications.
The following Monday at school, the hallways buzzed with leftover energy from the weekend. As Sara walked down the corridor, she overheard conversations about the party, the decorations, and her winning pumpkin. Everyone seemed to celebrate her moment of glory, yet the thought of Edward and Kara together loomed heavily in her mind. She felt the tension growing in her heart as Kara casually mentioned Edward more and more.
"Sara, guess what?" Kara exclaimed at lunch, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Edward and I are going to the soccer game on Friday night! He asked me!"
Sara forced a smile, feeling a stab of sadness. "That's great, Kara! You two seem really happy together."
Kara beamed, unaware of Sara's internal conflict. "I can't wait! It's going to be so much fun! You should come too, and bring a friend!"
Sara nodded but felt a sense of dread wash over her. She couldn't be in the same space while Edward focused all his attention on Kara. The idea of watching them together made her stomach churn.
As the week went on, the soccer game drew closer, and Sara found it harder to hide her feelings. At home, she paced around her room, the weight of her emotions becoming more difficult to manage. Kara, with her bright smile and carefree laughter, seemed so happy. Sara wanted Kara to be happy, but the pain of secretly liking Edward twisted inside her like a knot.
On Thursday evening, the tension reached a breaking point. While they were cleaning their room together, Sara finally snapped. "Kara, can we talk?" she said, her voice shaky.
Kara looked up, surprised. "Sure! What's wrong?" She sat down on her bed, folding her arms and giving Sara her full attention.
"I just… I feel like I'm invisible sometimes," Sara confessed, struggling to find the right words. "It's hard seeing you and Edward together, and I'm happy for you, but I can't help feeling left out."
Kara furrowed her brow. "Sara, you're not invisible! I would never want that for you. You're my sister!"
"I know that," Sara replied, her voice rising slightly. "But when you talk about him, it's like nothing else matters. I feel so alone."
Kara took a deep breath, sensing Sara's distress. "I never meant to make you feel that way. I'm just excited about Edward. I promise I don't want to overshadow you."
As the conversation continued, Kara's expression shifted from confusion to understanding. "Do you… like Edward?" Kara asked cautiously.
Sara's heart raced. She hated to admit it, but the truth was too complex to hide. "I don't know. Maybe. I just… I don't want to ruin what we have. I see how happy you are, and I don't want to come between you," she finally admitted, tears threatening to spill from her eyes.
Kara's gaze softened. "Sara, you could never come between us. If you like him, you should tell him. I want you to be happy too," she said gently.
Sara sighed. "But what if he likes you more? It just feels complicated."
Feeling overwhelmed, Kara placed a hand on her sister's shoulder. "Everything feels complicated when it comes to love. But we're sisters, and we should talk about these things, not keep secrets."
As they exchanged their wishes and fears, the rawness of their emotions created a bond that felt stronger than ever, even through the darkness of jealousy and confusion.
That night, Sara lay in bed, wrestling with her thoughts. She had opened up to Kara but also realized that she needed to confront her feelings head-on. She subconsciously felt the secret of her crush on Edward forming a barrier between her and her sister.
The next day after school, Sara found herself sitting on the bench near the soccer field, heart pounding against her chest. Kara was chatting with some friends nearby, and Edward was getting ready to join the team on the field. Taking a deep breath, Sara decided to muster her courage.
"Hey, Edward!" she called as he walked past her.
Edward turned, his blue eyes brightening. "Hey, Sara! What's up?"
At that moment, Sara realized her heart was pounding not just with nerves but with excitement. "Um, I just wanted to say… good luck out there! I'm excited to watch the game."
"Thanks! I appreciate it," Edward replied, smiling warmly. "Are you here alone or with Kara?"
Looking at Kara, who was engaged in conversation with their friends, Sara hesitated for a brief moment. "Just me."
Edward nodded. "Cool. Well, if you're up for it, we might get some pizza afterward. You should join!"
Sara felt a rush of joy mixed with fear. "Yeah, that sounds fun!" she forced a smile, momentarily forgetting her insecurities.
As Edward chatted a bit longer before heading to the field, Sara's heart raced. She couldn't believe she had just had a genuine conversation with him. For a moment, she felt seen and acknowledged, not just as Kara's sister but as someone on her own.
The game kicked off, and the energy in the stands was electrifying. Sara watched as Kara cheered enthusiastically for Edward, and a part of her felt happy for them. Yet another part whispered doubts and insecurities—what if Edward liked her more than Kara? What if she ruined everything by caring too much?
After the game, they all gathered at a nearby pizza place. Sara watched as Kara and Edward shared playful banter, their chemistry evident. Sara felt a shadow creep over her heart, but she pushed it aside, determined to enjoy the moment.
"Sara! Come sit with us!" Kara called, spotting an empty seat next to Edward. Sara joined them, gripping her slice of pepperoni pizza tightly.
The conversation flowed, but Sara couldn't shake the feeling that she was playing a part in a twisted game. With each laugh shared between Edward and Kara, her emotions tangled tighter.
As the evening progressed, Sara tried her best to remain engaged, but the underlying tension colored her every thought. The truth hung heavy in the air: she liked Edward. And whether she wanted to admit it or not, her feelings could threaten the fragile balance between her and Kara.
After they finished eating and as they began to leave, Sara felt a whirlpool of emotions swirling inside her. Her heart leaped when Edward turned to her again.
"Thanks for coming, Sara. I had a great time," he said, his eyes meeting hers.
Sara's heart raced as she managed to smile back, unsure of how to voice her true feelings. She glanced at Kara, who was lost in conversation with their friends, and felt guilt pulling at her.
As they walked home under the stars, Sara knew she had to face the truth. Keeping secrets, whether from herself or Kara, was no longer an option. But how could she balance her own feelings with the love she had for her sister? It was a question that weighed heavily on her heart, and the answer felt further away than ever.