The punishment at home was worse than the suspension from school.

Mom had initially accepted the principal’s one-week suspension for me. But after Mia’s dramatic performance crying about how I was “stealing her boyfriend” and “destroying our sister bond” Mom decided to make it two full weeks at home.

“You can’t leave your twin sister and go to school alone,” Mom said firmly during dinner that evening, her voice leaving no room for argument. “You two need to work on your relationship. I won’t have this fighting and jealousy tearing my daughters apart. Two weeks at home for both of you. No exceptions.”

Mia looked devastated in front of Mom,...