Hellen and I are twin cousins, yet our bond is a twisted reflection of what others expect from twins. While most twins share secrets, outfits, and dreams, Hellen has always made it clear she wants none of that. From the moment she could express herself, she nagged our parents incessantly, demanding they stop dressing us alike, stop trying to make us a mirrored image of each other.

She would proclaim, “I am the one and only Hellen in the world!”

Hellen, with her quirky personality and penchant for mischief, had effortlessly captured the hearts of our peers, becoming the undeniable favorite of the group. I had always been the quieter...