Swap Lives with My Sister - Chapter 1

My parents have always favored my sister, Sarah. Now, given a second chance at life, I’m done competing. Sarah wants my scholarship to Stanford? She can have it.

Sarah wants my research project? It’s hers.

Sarah wants my boyfriend, Jason? He’s all yours, sis. This time around, I just want a peaceful life, focused on myself.

Being me? I don’t regret it one bit.

“Ashley, you know about your sister’s health. She can’t pull all–nighters studying like you, she can’t get into a good college through the regular admissions process. So, about that scholarship…”

Dad’s voice cracked. Mom glared at me, silently urging him on.

He finally choked out the rest of the sentence.

“Could you, you know… give it to Sarah?”

It sounded like a question.

But it was a command. Delivered without a shred of guilt. I stared at my dad, his hair not yet gray, the memory of falling from that building flashing before my eyes.

It took a moment to realize I was reborn. Back to seventeen, back to a time when I could change everything. Mom’s face hardened when I didn’t respond immediately.

“Ashley,” she scolded, “you’re smart and capable, unlike your sister. Whether you want to or not, you have to give her the scholarship.”

Last time, Mom said the exact same thing. I was furious, refusing to give up what I’d earned.

But in the end…

The scholarship was already Sarah’s, thanks to my parents‘ maneuvering. They didn’t even tell me it was a done deal, letting me goof off for months, missing the regular application deadlines entirely.

My dream school slipped away. When I confronted them, do you know what they said?

They said, “Just take a gap year, what’s the big deal?”

One dismissive sentence cost me another year of grueling study. I finally got into college, only to face another crisis: Sarah was failing and about to be expelled.

My parents wanted me to hand over my research project to save her. I refused. They pulled strings, flashed cash. I cried.

I screamed.

But I ended up with insufficient credits, expelled. Back then, I didn’t understand that things you can give away weren’t truly yours to begin with.

The scholarship. The research project. But the things that are yours, you can’t give away, no matter how hard you try.

Like my knowledge, the information etched in my brain.

I met my parents‘ gaze.

“Okay,” I said steadily. “I’ll give it to her.”

Mom’s eyebrows shot up, surprised by my easy surrender.

Dad let out a relieved sigh.

“Ashley, we’re so proud of you for being so understanding.”

He handed me a gift. The LEGO Star Destroyer I’d always wanted. Huge, enough to fill my room.

Last time, that Star Destroyer was in Sarah’s room.