“Girls,” Jennifer admonished mildly, “it’s not polite to talk about people’s deformities.” My dad and Jennifer let out matching nervous laughs and went to stand by the twins. We looked up pictures online of burn victims, and, like, all of them had these hideous scars on their faces. “Oh man, I’m so glad your face isn’t messed up.”

Not bothering with any kind of hello, Anastasia lifted a hand to her chest. They were over a year younger than me, but could easily pass for twenty-one. Of course, they were both wearing heels that gave them at least four extra inches, but I bet they were still both pushing five-ten without the shoes. And they were both so tall! I’m a modest five foot six, and they both towered over me. It was so perfectly coiffed that she looked as if she’d stepped straight out of a hairstyle magazine.īoth girls were as gorgeous as their mother-same blonde hair, blue eyes, and perfect figures. I knew from pictures Dad had showed me that Juliette was the one with long blonde locks that fell in silky waves halfway down her back, while Anastasia had a sleek, angled bob that swept across her face and came to a sharp stop at her chin.

Not identical, I didn’t think, but they looked so similar that if not for the haircuts, I bet I’d still mix them up. The two sisters slammed into each other as they came to an abrupt halt.

“Girls, you’re late.” Jennifer sounded irritated, but she’d plastered that big, phony smile back on her face. Before I had to figure out something to say, my two new stepsisters came bursting through the front door. I hated people’s pity as much as I hated their stares, if not more. I swallowed back annoyance and forced a smile.

Cinder and ella book 2