Shadowing Practice: My Problems as a Middle Child - Learn English Speaking with Video
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Hi, I'm Latte from LA, and I'll be representing the struggles of every ignored middle child out there, only a thousand times worse.
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Before I continue, please like and subscribe.
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First things first, let me introduce you to my parents.
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Dad's a businessman who's always pacing around, shouting into his Bluetooth about money, business, and other rich grown -up stuff I have no clue about.
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Buy, sell, move those investments.
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No, not the tech stocks, the blue chips.
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And why is nobody checking the quarterly profits?
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Meanwhile, mom's basically a TikTok royalty.
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She made cooking videos while looking like a goddess, and somehow every single one of them gets a million views.
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One time, she was just boiling water, and the comments were acting like she just saved the world.
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Now let's talk about my sisters.
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So here's the thing.
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I was born right in the middle of triplets.
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According to mom, order matters.
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So Marie was decided as the oldest because she burst out 1 .2 seconds before me and our youngest popped out last,
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blinking those iconic eyelashes and pouting those extra plump lips at everyone in the hospital room.
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Mom named her Princess because honestly, she looked just like one.
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Even the doctor and nurses said so.
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They immediately put a tiny little tiara on her baby head as soon as she was born and I swear, she's never taken it off since.
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Meanwhile, Marie was a certified genius.
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When she was born, she didn't even cry.
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She spoke.
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And it wasn't just any word.
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It was the longest word ever.
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Extra supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
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Everyone clapped, then fainted.
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And because of that, our parents named her after the legendary Marie Curie, the most iconic female genius in history.
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She could solve a Rubik's Cube with her eyes closed at three months old.
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Naturally, she just kept getting smarter as we grew up, and Dad was obsessed.
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He literally framed her report cards and all her other academic achievements and plastered them on our walls.
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Oh, my smart little cookie.
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One day, you're going to be the CEO of my company, and you'd take over the world with that genius brain of yours.
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Meanwhile, when the nurse asked for my name, Mom just glanced around the room and spotted
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Dad's favorite coffee, Latte.
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So they slapped the name on me right then and there, and it stuck.
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Even the bitterness.
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If Marie's the smart and serious one, Princess is the pretty and sweet one.
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Her face card never declined.
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Her lashes are so long you can mop the floors with them.
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All she has to do is blink, and TikTok loses its mind.
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She literally went viral for just yawning once, and mom was so proud.
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Look at those lips, those lashes, that perfect little nose.
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Of course, she got it from her mama, which is me.
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I think I'm gonna cry.
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They would do each other's makeup, go on shopping sprees, and film TikToks together.
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So basically, Dad was Team Marie, Mom was Team Princess, and I was on Team Wallpaper.
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Or maybe Team Houseplant.
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You know, just quietly existing in the background, hoping someone remembers to water me.
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I was the normal triplet, so I was just there.
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There was nothing special about me.
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Maybe my name really did fit me after all.
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Most of the time, they just totally forgot I existed.
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Like that time when they literally left me at the park, packed up, loaded the car, and just drove away.
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There I was, vibing on the swing,
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trying not to panic, when a stranger found my emergency number taped to my unicorn toy and called my mom.
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Hi, ma 'am.
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I think you left your child at the park.
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Oh, right.
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I thought we only had twins.
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Sorry about that.
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By the time they finally picked me up, I'd already befriended three squirrels, learned how to swing with one hand, and considered joining a new family.
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Even dinner was brutal.
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Marie had her steak cut into perfect cubes and served with organic pomegranate juice.
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Princess got her spaghetti swirled into a heart shape with glitter sprinkles, while me, a single, sad, boiled egg.
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Can someone pass the salt, please?
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I had to ask six times before anyone noticed.
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You have hands, sweetie.
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You can do it yourself.
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Then she literally walked around me to give napkins to Princess.
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Oh, thanks, Mom.
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You're literally the best.
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Even our relatives and neighbors weren't different.
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You guys have such beautiful twins.
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Hey, Marie.
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Hi, Princess.
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And, uh, the other one.
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Basically, I was the other one.
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And don't even get me started on birthdays.
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Every year, Marie and Princess got mountains of cake, giant crowns, and enough presents to fill a delivery truck.
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While I got a single cupcake, with a bite already taken out of it, and a used birthday candle that barely stayed lit.
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For gifts, just whatever my sisters tossed aside.
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On our 11th birthday, I didn't even get anything, literally.
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Not a single gift.
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Not even a card.
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Oh, latte, sweetie.
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I'm so sorry.
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We totally forgot.
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Here's a tissue roll.
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Here's five bucks.
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Go wild at the dollar store, champ.
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Meanwhile, my sisters were basically swimming in glitter and unwrapping the entire toy store.
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The only one who ever paid me any attention at home was our dog, Mr. Wiggles.
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But unfortunately, his idea of love was licking my face right after cleaning his own post -poop butthole.
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Sometimes he'd even poop in my bed, and mom would just wave it off.
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Oh, it's just poop, sweetie.
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No big deal.
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Just clean it up yourself.
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It won't hurt you.
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As for my sisters, they only talked to me when they needed me.
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Now that we were in middle school, nothing much has changed.
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Marie only remembered my existence if she needed help with her homework.
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The easy and boring parts, like coloring her science projects or organizing her notebooks.
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Meanwhile, Princess only noticed me if she needed a camera woman for her TikToks and live streams.
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Honestly, watching her film behind the scenes was a total cringe fest.
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I swear, she just made things up the entire time.
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What am I drinking?
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Oh, it's just a super healthy smoothie I made all by myself.
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It's totally organic, straight from trees and leaves and, like, you know, nature and stuff. So healthy.
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Oh my gosh, a cute boy is waving at me across the street.
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He just mouthed that I'm the prettiest girl in the world.
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Omg, stop it.
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Go away.
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But you know what hurt me the most?
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Whenever I get sick.
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One time, I was legit burning up with fever and was having a hard time breathing.
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I went to my parents' room to tell them about it, but they just didn't care.
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Just go bathe in ice, sweetie.
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Thought it was something important.
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I had the most beautiful dream, and now it's ruined.
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But the second princess coughed once across the room, mom did a triple backflip off the couch.
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Is my precious pumpkin okay?
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Should I call the ambulance?
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Marie sneezed in her room and dad parachuted in with orange juice.
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We heard a noise, sweetheart.
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Are you okay?
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Need anything?
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I'm studying, dad.
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Please leave and close the window quietly.
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Sometimes I wondered, if I vanished into thin air, would anyone notice?
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The only time I ever felt truly seen was whenever my grandma visited.
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She'd sweep through the front door on her sparkly slippers, hug me like she was trying to squeeze the sadness out of me,
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and flip extra cookies into my backpack.
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She'd also sneak me new highlighters, draw silly smiley faces on my lunch bag, and tell me stories where I was the main character,
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and not just triplet number two.
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When everyone else was busy ignoring me, grandma would teach me how to make fancy drinks, especially coffees.
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A good cup of coffee can turn a lonely day sweet.
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Maybe she doesn't want me feeling bad about my name forever, and it worked.
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I appreciated what latte means.
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Making drinks like this with Grandma is my most special thing in the world.
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One day, I made coffee for my family.
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It was a personal brew, and I was super confident in my work, but they just looked at the cups in disgust.
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Ugh, what is this?
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You want us to drink that?
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I I made it myself if you could just try just get me my usual from my favorite coffee shop Okay, champ.
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I can't risk my taste buds on an unknown variable
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Sorry princess pretended to take a sip
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and pulled a face for her livestream guys I think I just tasted my villain origin story.
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I think I'm gonna die
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Somebody send help but
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if you thought home was rough school was a whole new level of pain at school Marie was that girl.
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The class president, the straight -A superstar, the student teachers literally asked for help.
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She answered questions before they even finished asking.
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Everyone looked up to her like she was some kind of academic goddess.
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Meanwhile, Princess always slayed the hallways in her trendiest outfits like an actual princess.
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It felt like the whole school was obsessed with her.
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People actually followed her around just to see if she'd blink, breathe, or maybe drop a hair ties.
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They had fans, while I had haters.
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Seriously?
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Their parents should've stopped at twins.
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She's got this major third wheel energy.
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Yeah, she's not even that pretty or smart.
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She's just there.
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Zero aura, unlike her sisters.
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I bet she's actually adopted
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or something like hello we literally have the same face i wanted to hold up a mirror and scream
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do you not see the copy paste happening here i bet they still wouldn't see it even
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if i tattooed triplet number two on my forehead one day
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i decided to try fitting in first
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i went full princess mode curled my lashes wore the brightest pink i could find
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and even borrowed her lip gloss which tasted like expired bubble gum.
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Imposter alert!
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Her lashes are like 0 .24 millimeters shorter.
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Nice try, fake princess.
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Oh, bless your heart, but you'll never be princess.
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There's only room for one queen at this school.
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The following week, I tried acting like Marie.
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I slapped on some glasses, tied my hair into the tightest bun, and even solved a ridiculously difficult math problem on the board.
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For two glorious minutes, people actually looked at me.
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But then the real Marie walked in
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and everyone instantly forgot i existed again um can you sit down
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now the real genius is here at lunch kids would save
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the best seat for princess an extra dessert for marie
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and nothing for me one girl literally passed food through me
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like i was a hologram every time the world felt too much i'd sneak into the bathroom call grandma
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and she talked to me until i could smile again
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Oh, my little sweet Latte, just because they don't see you now doesn't mean you're not sparkling.
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Some treasures are hidden for a reason.
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Now hush, darling, you're my brightest star.
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She always knew exactly what to say, but one day, everything changed.
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We came home, and Mom was ugly crying for the first time.
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Grandma's gone, Latte.
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She had a heart attack.
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She didn't make it.
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My heart broke into a million pieces.
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I cried for days.
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I skipped dessert and stopped caring about school.
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Meanwhile, my sisters acted like nothing happened.
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I was sitting in the bathroom stall, hugging grandma's old scarf, trying to remember how to breathe.
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That's when it really hit me.
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Being invisible hurts the most when the only person who actually sees you is gone.
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So there I was, sitting outside the school building, face buried in my knees, trying to disappear into the flower bed.
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Just then, I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder.
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Hey, are you okay?
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I froze.
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Someone actually asked if I was okay?
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Was this some kind of prank?
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For a split second, I thought it might be the school janitor ready to bust me for squishing the daisies again.
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But no, standing in front of me was, I swear, the cutest boy I'd ever seen in real life.
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He looked like a Disney prince.
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He had curly chestnut hair, hazel eyes flecked with gold, and a smile so dazzling it could melt a diamond into a sparkling puddle.
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He handed me his handkerchief, which smelled like expensive cologne and cinnamon rolls.
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Uh, thanks.
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I've never seen you before.
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Are you new here?
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Yeah, and I think I'm lost.
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This school is like a giant pizza.
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Too many slices.
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I laughed for the first time in weeks.
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I ended up showing him around, and to my surprise, he was in my class.
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His name was Bryce, a transfer student, and the moment he stepped into our classroom,
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you could literally hear every girl's jaw hit the floor, including my sister's.
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Since then, both of them were glued to him like flirty magnets to a fridge.
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So, Bryce, want to join the science club?
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I could help you with algebra or chemistry or, you know, world domination.
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Hey, handsome, want to act as my boyfriend for my next TikTok content?
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And I have 35 million followers.
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We could go on a fake date and kiss under the stars.
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It was a competition every single day while I was stuck on the sidelines.
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He asked me to help with his meth homework.
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Clearly, he's into me.
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Please, he liked and commented on all my TikTok videos.
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Even my baby videos and the one where I had braces.
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He's so obsessed with me.
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Sorry to interrupt, but are you guys actually crushing on him or what?
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Nope.
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Future CEO rules.
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Studies first, boys later.
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I don't have time for distractions.
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But you're literally all over him.
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Correction, he's all over me.
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Aren't you supposed to be the genius one?
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So why are you being so delusional?
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Bryce is basically my fanboy.
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He even collects my photo cards.
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Sorry, sissy.
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Sorry to burst your stupid little bubble, but he asked me to be his private tutor 24 -7.
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So, clearly, he likes me more.
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I couldn't take it anymore, so I finally inserted myself into the conversation.
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He actually talked to me first.
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We literally walked in together on his first day, remember?
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He found me crying and gave me his handkerchief.
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It wasn't just some random thing.
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He noticed me first and made the first move.
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Both of them looked at me like I just said I was moving to Mars.
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Oh, please.
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He was just being polite.
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Don't get your hopes up, Latte.
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Oh, our dear Latte.
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Bryce is just really kind to everyone.
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I'm sure he felt bad because you looked so sad.
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He's just got that big, soft heart.
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What a sweetheart.
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And that was it.
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They went right back to fighting over him while I just faded into the background again, hugging Bryce's handkerchief close to my.. chest.
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So the next day at school, I decided it was time to make a move on him.
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I needed him to remember me.
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Later that day, I spotted him at his locker,
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looking all mysterious and handsome with his hair perfectly messy like he just rolled out of an expensive magazine.
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I marched over, clutching my books so tight my fingers turned white.
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Hey Bryce, remember me?
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I helped you when you got lost on your first day.
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And you gave me your handkerchief?
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He glanced at me, blinked twice, and his face lit up with recognition.
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Oh, yeah, your latte, right?
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You were really helpful that day.
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Thanks again.
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I probably would have ended up in the janitor's closet without you.
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Oh, um, yeah.
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I mean, I get lost all the time, too.
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Like, last week, I walked into the boys' bathroom by accident.
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So, you're welcome.
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So, do you know if the cafeteria food ever gets less weird?
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Um, maybe on pizza day.
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But most days, it's kind of a mystery.
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Like, sometimes I just bring emergency snacks, just in case.
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We talked for a few more seconds before the bell rang.
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Every time I saw him after that, he'd wave or flash a friendly smile.
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Of course, I still managed to embarrass myself at least once a day, waving at him in the cafeteria, standing near him in the hallway,
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accidentally dropping all my books right at his feet.
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But at least this time, he'd help pick them up and flash me his cute little smile, which always made my heart do 10 backflips.
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Maybe, just maybe, I wasn't that invisible after all.
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One night, I was looking for something to eat in the kitchen for my midnight snack
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when I noticed mom's favorite golden spatula, the one she used in all her TikTok videos, was snapped in half.
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I was about to play detective when she walked in, took one look, and had a full -on meltdown.
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Oh, my precious spatula!
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Latte, what have you done?
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What?
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Mom, I swear, I didn't even touch it.
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It was already broken when I found it.
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Honestly, why can't you be more like your sisters?
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Sometimes I wish we just had twins.
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No need for a spare.
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Mom didn't stop crying over that spatula, like she lost a best friend.
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She even held a mini funeral for it the next day and kept talking about replacement kids and broken dreams with dad.
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Their words felt like a thousand tiny daggers in my chest.
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Later that day, I was sulking in the corner, hugging my knees when Princess tiptoed in.
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Hey, um, Latte?
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I was actually the one who broke Mom's spatula.
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I was filming a slow -mo pancake flip for TikTok, and it just snapped.
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But, you know, if I told them, they'd never believe it.
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I'm their perfect princess.
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Sorry, sissy.
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So you just let them yell at me and insult me?
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If it wasn't you, they'd blame Marie.
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But she's the genius, so it would somehow be your fault anyway.
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That's just how it is in this house.
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She's right.
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Just move on.
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It's not a big deal.
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But to me, it was a big deal.
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That night, I cried myself to sleep, hugging Grandma's old scarf and staring at the moon outside my window.
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And that's when I decided I'd had enough.
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If nobody wanted me around, maybe I'd just disappear for real.
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But where do you run when you're not even sure anyone would notice you're gone?
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The next day at school, just as I was busy plotting my great escape, like mentally packing snacks, water, and at least four phone chargers,
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I spotted the cutest little hamster zipping across the hallway.
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At first, I thought I was hallucinating, but nope, there he was, doing little parkour stunts like he owned the place.
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So naturally, I followed him, through the gym, under the vending machine, and across the trash can,
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where I accidentally stepped on a ketchup packet and basically ruined my socks forever.
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The little guy finally disappeared behind a bookshelf near the back of the school library, right by the toilet.
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Looking at the empty spot, I suddenly had the craziest idea ever.
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Live at school like a secret lair style.
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No parents, no sisters, no drama and unfair treatment.
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Just total peace and free Wi -Fi.
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That night, I packed up my stuff.
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Blanket burrito, folding mattress, emergency cookies, grandma's old lamp for extra comfort, and of course, and my trusty mini coffee -making kit.
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I then strolled past my parents, dragging a huge suitcase behind me just to see their reactions
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and guess what neither of them blinked hey guys
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i'm running away from home gonna live in the wild eat moss maybe join a circus
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if anything mom just told me not to slam the door
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so off i went i snuck into school under the cover of darkness crawled through a window
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and set up my new home behind the back library shelves
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i laid out my mattress decorated my secret base with string lights
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and hamster snacks just in case the little guy came back, and did a happy victory dance.
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It was perfect!
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Now that I was basically a bored ghost living at school, I started mapping out every single inch of the place,
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where the cameras pointed, which teachers actually checked the bathrooms, which janitors cared if a random blanket fort popped up near the non -fiction section.
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At night, the school was creepy and weirdly exciting.
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I even found the secret security room where all the CCTV monitors were.
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I spent hours just watching, like my own private reality show.
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And I couldn't believe the stuff I found out, especially about my sisters.
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Oh, these footages are definitely going to come in handy very soon.
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I just realized that being invisible was kind of awesome, actually.
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But it also made me a little evil.
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That night, I snuck into the science lab
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and stole a whole bag of fake rubber snakes that looked super realistic and extra slithery.
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The next morning, I woke up early and planted my new friends under all the mean kids' chairs in our class.
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Each snake was taped to a nearly invisible string, all leading right to my desk.
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It was my masterpiece.
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Before class, I sat at my desk, looking totally innocent and waiting for the drama to drop.
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Ugh, did someone forget to take out the trash?
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Oh, wait, it's just Latte, the ugly triplet.
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Yeah, why are you even here?
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Nobody cares unless you're Marie or Princess.
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Careful, girls.
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Some people say the universe bites back, and it has fangs.
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And that's when I gave the string the tiniest little tug.
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Suddenly, the fake snakes slithered out from under their chairs, and a chorus of blood -curling screams echoed through the classroom.
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Told you not to mess with me.
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Next time, it might be spiders or anacondas.
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For the first time in my life, everyone actually stared at me like I had superpowers.
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Some looked terrified, and others were impressed.
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Wait, can you actually summon snakes?
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Are you like half -human, half -snake?
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Oh, that's so cool!
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If you ever insult me again, the snakes will know.
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For once, I felt cool and powerful.
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That night, powered up by my brand new bad girl reputation, I plotted even more epic pranks and powers.
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I swapped out the teacher's chalk with color -changing markers so every lesson turned into a rainbow rave.
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I glued googly eyes to every classroom door.
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Seriously, everywhere you looked, it felt like the whole school was staring you down.
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With every prank, my legend grew.
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People started whispering my name in the halls.
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I also started wearing smoky eyeliner, spiky bracelets, and a random leather jacket I found and lost and found.
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Suddenly, everyone thought I was cool.
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Even the lunch lady raised an eyebrow and gave me an extra meatball.
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But my sisters hated it.
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They cornered me at lunch.
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What is happening to you, Latte?
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You used to be normal.
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Now you're just embarrassing.
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So you're a bad girl now?
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Seriously, you look like a raccoon in that eyeliner.
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Sorry, I can't hear you over the sound of everyone actually paying attention to me for once.
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Jealous much?
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Jealous of what?
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Getting attention for causing trouble?
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Whatever helps you sleep at night, I guess.
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You wish you could go viral for something other than being a disaster.
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Even your pranks are cringe, sissy.
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Try harder next time.
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I couldn't take it anymore.
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So for the first time ever, I hit back.
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Oh, Marie, maybe you should stop stealing answer keys from the teacher's office if you want to keep being a genius.
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And princess, nice try hiding your butt rash.
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Right then and there, I posted Marie's secret footage and Princess's embarrassing clip for everyone to see.
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And the look on their faces was priceless.
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But after a few days of watching them get roasted and ghosted at school, I actually felt awful.
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For once, they were the invisible ones, and it hurt to watch.
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It just made me feel worse.
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Being the bad girl was starting to lose its sparkle.
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Later that day, I was at my locker when Bryce showed up right next to me.
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Hey, Troublemaker.
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Hey, Bryce.
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He leaned against the locker, studying me for a second.
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You really went full savage mode, huh?
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Saw your pranks.
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They were.. a lot.
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Guess people finally notice me now.
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But is that what you really want?
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I kinda like the old you.
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The one who helped lost kids like me.
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That hit me hard.
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Suddenly, all the hurt and loneliness spilled out.
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You don't get it.
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All my life, I've been invisible.
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Nobody ever picks me.
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I'm just the extra triplet, the backup plan.
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It sucks, Bryce.
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I just want it to matter, even if it meant being a little evil.
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He looked at me like he really saw me.
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Not as a joke, not as an extra.
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Well, I noticed you.
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You're kind of impossible to ignore, you know?
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My cheeks went red.
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I tried to act chill, but I felt like melting right there.
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Hey, want to see something cool?
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I grabbed his hand and dragged him through the hallway until we docked into the back of the library.
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Welcome to my secret lair.
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No parents, no sisters, no drama.
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Just books, coffee, and fairy lights.
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I don't think you're allowed to live here.
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But not gonna lie, this is pretty cool.
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I know, right?
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Here, sit.
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I made him a cup and handed it over.
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My hands were shaking a little.
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He took a sip and his eyes went wide.
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Hold up.
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Did you put magic in this?
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This coffee literally slaps.
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It tastes so good.
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It was the first time my coffee got validated and I felt like bouncing across the clouds in happiness.
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It's my thing.
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Started making drinks with my grandma when I was little.
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It always made me feel less invisible.
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Well, here's to you.
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You're not invisible to me.
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We sat together, just sipping coffee in the soft fairy light.
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For the first time, I felt seen and maybe even special.
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Since then, Bryce and I started getting closer.
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We'd talk between classes, share snacks, and sometimes I'd sneak him my best coffee under the table.
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Of course, my sisters were not happy about it.
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Every time we talked, I could literally feel their jealous stares burning into the back of my head.
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It wasn't long before they finally cornered me in the hallway.
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Princess in full TikTok glam, Marie holding her books like a weapon.
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So you really think you're the main character now?
468
Just because you slapped on some stupid eyeliner and started hanging out with Bryce?
469
Newsflash, he's just nice to literally everyone, sissy.
470
Especially to sorry losers like you.
471
Don't let it go to your head.
472
He literally DM'd me first.
473
I just rejected him.
474
Enjoy my leftovers, I guess?
475
Let's be honest.
476
He's likely motivated by pity.
477
Some guys are attracted to so -called projects.
478
And well, latte's not exactly an academic or aesthetic outlier.
479
Oh, and you really think we forgot what you did to us?
480
Exposing us like that?
481
Don't worry, sissy.
482
Revenge is coming.
483
And trust me, it's gonna be iconic.
484
I couldn't take it anymore, so I finally snapped.
485
You two are just pressed because someone finally noticed me instead of you.
486
And worse, he's your crush.
487
Sorry, princess, but not every boy wants to be your TikTok prop.
488
And Marie, maybe Bryce is sick of girls who act like human calculators.
489
Girl, you're so Delulu.
490
Keep dreaming.
491
Yeah, don't come crying to us when you get your heart broken, okay?
492
I just rolled my eyes and walked away.
493
But inside, I felt like I finally won something.
494
For once, I had the upper hand.
495
One night, I was sneaking past the admin office when I heard someone talking on the phone inside.
496
I took a peek and realized that it was the principal, and she sounded super sketchy.
497
I need that designer bag, but the donation funds aren't enough yet.
498
Well, I already used the last batch to pay off my car.
499
Just stall the library people if they ask.
500
My jaw dropped.
501
She was literally blowing school donation money on herself.
502
That money was supposed to be for the library, not for her luxury car or designer bag.
503
I ran to tell Bryce during lunch.
504
Bryce, guess what?
505
The principal is a total scammer.
506
She bought her car with our school's donation money.
507
Seriously?
508
That's messed up.
509
But do you have any proof?
510
No. I forgot to record it.
511
But I swear I know what I heard.
512
Don't worry.
513
I believe you.
514
But what are we supposed to do about it?
515
Easy.
516
We prank her.
517
Teach her a lesson.
518
Make her squirm.
519
I then leaned in closer and whispered my plan.
520
Latte, are you sure about this?
521
I mean, it's kind of illegal.
522
Cat poop isn't illegal.
523
Plus, she deserves it.
524
Ugh, fine.
525
But if we get caught, you owe me a year's worth of coffee.
526
Deal!
527
That afternoon, we snuck out of class and spent way too long hunting down and collecting cat poop around the campus.
528
We then found the principal's car, and after Bryce awkwardly fumbled with a bobby pin, we finally popped the door open.
529
We spread the poop into her fancy leather seats, trying not to gag or laugh too loudly.
530
Just as we were about to sneak away, we heard footsteps.
531
It was the principal!
532
Bryce panicked, grabbed my hand, and pulled me down into the back seat.
533
We were suddenly squished together, barely breathing and not just because of the cat poop.
534
His face was so close I could count every single freckle on his nose.
535
To my relief, the principal just grabbed her wallet from the dashboard and left without noticing a thing.
536
As soon as the coast was clear, Bryce grinned at me, still a little breathless.
537
That was close.
538
I mean, us getting caught.
539
Not that I'd mind getting stuck with you again.
540
I shoved him, pretending to be annoyed, but I couldn't stop blushing.
541
The next day at school, I was still replaying the whole cat poop adventure in my head
542
and low -key still blushing about how close Bryce's face was to mine when suddenly the intercom buzzed.
543
Would Latte and Bryce please report to the principal's office immediately?
544
Uh -oh.
545
I shot Bryce a panicked look across the hallway.
546
He just gave me a tiny reassuring smile and we both walked to the office together.
547
When we walked in, I was surprised to see my parents there
548
and they looked furious while the principal looked like she just sucked a dozen lemons.
549
Sit down.
550
I assume you both know why you're here.
551
She turned the monitor around.
552
There it was.
553
Full HD footage of us pranking her precious car.
554
Plus even more clips of me setting up my other pranks.
555
Care to explain this, you two?
556
Especially you, Latte.
557
Before I could even open my mouth, Bryce jumped in.
558
It was me.
559
I planned the whole thing.
560
Latte didn't want to do it.
561
I forced her.
562
I was bored and I dragged her along.
563
If anyone should be punished, it's me.
564
My jaw dropped.
565
Was he really trying to take all the blame for me?
566
Wait, that's not true.
567
I - Nice try, son.
568
But you clearly don't know our daughter.
569
You chose the wrong triplet to cover for.
570
Latte is the queen of trouble around here.
571
Marie is the genius, Princess is the angel.
572
And Latte's the one always causing chaos.
573
Honestly, you should stay away from her.
574
She's a bad influence.
575
Seriously?
576
I've spent my whole life trying to be good.
577
Helping out, doing everything for you guys to notice and love me.
578
And the second I mess up, that's all you see?
579
Don't be so dramatic.
580
We're just telling it like it is.
581
Maybe if you continued to behave, things would be different.
582
I fought back my tears and tried to defend Bryce, but they weren't having it.
583
Enough.
584
I don't care whose idea it was.
585
Both of you broke the rules and vandalized school property.
586
You're both suspended for a week.
587
I hope you use this time to think about your choices.
588
I even tried to speak up about her corruption and the missing donation funds, but everyone just stared at me like I was making it up.
589
Oh, please.
590
You don't even have any proof.
591
Bryce and I left the office super frustrated.
592
I'm really sorry for all of this, Bryce.
593
You got in trouble because of me.
594
Hey, don't worry about it.
595
I've got your back.
596
His words comforted me.
597
And before I knew it, I broke down and told him everything.
598
How my family never saw me, how I tried so hard to be good, invisible, even a little rebellious, and none of it mattered.
599
Nothing worked.
600
I was just done.
601
That was when I made my decision.
602
I was moving out for good.
603
Bryce offered to let me stay at his place for a while.
604
Honestly, I wanted to say no. I didn't want to be a burden.
605
But what choice did I have?
606
I had nowhere else to go.
607
So I left.
608
No more trying to fit in or waiting to be noticed.
609
I was finally choosing me.
610
When I showed up at their house, I tried to act chill.
611
But his mom saw right through me.
612
She pulled me into a warm hug and handed me a tissue.
613
You're always welcome here, Latte.
614
As long as you want.
615
And if you're hungry, dinner's in 10.
616
Bryce's dad gave me a fist bump and told me not to worry about anything.
617
I helped set the table, did the dishes, and even tried folding laundry.
618
Every little thing I did, someone actually noticed.
619
And then there was the coffee.
620
I started making it for everyone.
621
Bryce, his parents, even their neighbors.
622
And they all loved it.
623
Like actual compliments.
624
This is the best cup I've had all year.
625
You put all the coffee shops to shame, kiddo.
626
One morning, Bryce's dad announced that his boss was coming over for a super important meeting.
627
The whole house felt like it was prepping for royalty.
628
I noticed there were like six new bags of fancy coffee beans in the kitchen, but I didn't think much of it.
629
When the boss finally arrived, Bryce's parents asked me if I could make coffee for everyone.
630
I happily obliged and made my best latte yet.
631
Creamy, extra smooth, with a swirl of vanilla and a heart on top.
632
The boss took one sip and basically turned into a human heart eyes emoji.
633
This is incredible.
634
You made this yourself?
635
Yes, sir.
636
It's kind of my thing.
637
He glanced at Bryce's parents, then back at me, beaming.
638
Have you ever thought of running a coffee shop?
639
Because I have a business proposal for you.
640
I want to open a cafe.
641
And with your talent, We'd be unstoppable.
642
That's when I realized Bryce's family had totally set this up.
643
Three days before, they'd gone on a weird coffee bean shopping spree, and now it all made sense.
644
But they didn't tell me so I wouldn't freak out or feel pressured.
645
And it worked.
646
I ended up staying with Bryce's family for months.
647
But not once did anyone from my own family even bother to check on me.
648
Not a single, are you okay?
649
Or, when are you coming home?
650
Just silence.
651
One time, I even overheard my sisters talking about me at school.
652
She probably needed some space or whatever.
653
Anyway, it's not a big deal.
654
It's not like her presence mattered that much at home.
655
Mom and dad don't even care.
656
Fast forward a few months, I was helping manage my own cafe, making coffee for real customers who paid actual money, and somehow, I became famous.
657
At school, everyone suddenly wanted to be my friend.
658
Latte, can you teach me how to do latte art?
659
You're like a literal legend.
660
Hey, you want to collab for my TikTok review page?
661
But honestly, it all felt so fake.
662
These were the same people who had ignored me for years.
663
Now they were acting like I was the main character just because things were finally going well?
664
And don't even get me started on my sisters.
665
As I was passing by the hallway, I heard them gossiping with their friends.
666
Loud enough for the whole school to hear.
667
Her little coffee shop is just a stupid hobby.
668
Not like it's a real career or anything.
669
She'll get over it once the hype dies down.
670
Yeah, well, at least you don't have to deal with a fake sister who will ditch you just for clout.
671
Imagine being so desperate for attention that you'd open a coffee shop just to trend online.
672
OMG, that's so shady.
673
Trust me, people will do anything for likes these days.
674
Hashtag fake family.
675
I'd had enough of this school and sibling drama, so I switched to homeschooling,
676
focused on my business, and finally started living life on my own terms.
677
I didn't care about anyone else anymore, as long as I had myself and Bryce and his family, the only people who truly cared.
678
That was enough.
679
Over the years, Bryce and I became total besties.
680
We did everything together, taste -testing new coffee recipes, binging random documentaries, and roasting each other about literally everything.
681
But even after I moved out and finally got my own house, there was always this something between us.
682
Then one evening, he showed up at my new place with a giant box of pizza and this weird, nervous energy.
683
You've been twitchy all night.
684
What's up?
685
Okay, this is random, but can I tell you something?
686
Uh, as long as you're not about to confess your undying love for my caramel macchiato, sure.
687
when you were living at my house i never said anything
688
because i didn't want to be another person taking something from you you already had enough people ignoring
689
you twisting you making you feel small i wanted you to have space to just breathe to be you
690
but the truth i noticed you from day one the way you laugh
691
when you're nervous how you hung while you make coffee
692
The way you refuse to quit, even when the whole world treats you like you're invisible.
693
You were never invisible to me, Latte.
694
You were the one thing I couldn't stop seeing.
695
I love you.
696
I have for years.
697
I just needed to wait until you loved yourself first and made your dreams come true.
698
My throat tightened.
699
My cheeks burning.
700
You absolute dork.
701
You waited years to say that?
702
Well, I figured the best coffee is worth the wait.
703
And just like that, he leaned in.
704
And for the first time, I believed I was truly seen.
705
A few days later, the grand opening of my biggest cafe in town finally came.
706
It was not just a building.
707
For me, it's a palace made of dreams.
708
Customers lined up.
709
Bryce teased me from behind the counter.
710
And every latte art heart came out just right.
711
Then the bell over the door chimed.
712
I froze.
713
It was them.
714
My family.
715
Mom in her perfect dress.
716
Dad in his stiff suit.
717
Marie hugging her books.
718
Princess with her lashes curled to the heavens.
719
I braced myself, but they just quietly joined the line like everyone else.
720
When it was their turn, they didn't order fancy drinks or demand attention.
721
We'll each have… whatever is your favorite.
722
Yes.
723
Surprise us, latte. That word.
724
Latte.
725
For the first time, it didn't sting.
726
I made the drinks.
727
Caramel latte with cinnamon for dad.
728
Bold espresso for mom.
729
Hazelnut mocha for Marie.
730
A strawberry foam latte for princess.
731
My best work yet.
732
They each took a sip, and for the first time, they smiled.
733
As they sat down, their eyes drifted to the wall and stopped.
734
Grandma's scarf, framed in glass with a plaque beneath it.
735
For the one who taught me that love can be poured into a cup.
736
Thank you, grandma.
737
Mom broke first, tears spilling.
738
Dad wiped his face, unable to speak.
739
She always believed in you.
740
And we.. we never did.
741
I am so sorry.
742
You built this without us.
743
And it feels wrong to say we're proud after all we did.
744
I should have loved you the same as the others, but I didn't.
745
I left you fighting for scraps, and I'll regret it forever.
746
I failed you, Latte.
747
I'm sorry.
748
Maureen leaned forward, voice trembling but steady.
749
Latte, I've carried guilt for years.
750
I thought you'd always come back because we were triplets.
751
I thought that bond meant I didn't have to try.
752
But that was selfish.
753
I was jealous of you, and I made you feel small.
754
I'm sorry.
755
Princess stabbed her eyes, her usual glam gone.
756
Me too, sissy.
757
I pretended you didn't matter, but the truth?
758
I envied you.
759
You didn't need filters or followers to be real.
760
I was scared of losing my spotlight, so I pushed you away.
761
I thought you'd always come back because we were three parts of one whole, but you didn't.
762
And it broke me.
763
I'm so, so sorry.
764
For once, they weren't the genius or the princess.
765
They were just my sisters.
766
I sat across from them, coffee in hand.
767
For years, they never even tasted my coffee.
768
And now, here they were, sipping it like it was the sweetest thing in the world.
769
maybe it wasn't the drink itself maybe it was what it meant
770
that they finally saw me the real me
771
i looked at mom's tears dad's trembling hands marie's guilt princess's honesty they weren't perfect they never would be
772
but for the first time
773
they weren't pretending grandma always told me a good cup of coffee can turn a lonely day sweet
774
so maybe this is our new start but this time, we're equals.
775
No favorites.
776
No forgetting.
777
Just family.
778
Deal?
779
They nodded, choked up, whispering yes.
780
And for the first time, I believed them.
781
I used to think being in the middle meant being invisible, forgotten.
782
But maybe the middle isn't where you disappear.
783
Maybe it's where everything blends, where the strength and sweetness meet.
784
Yes, my name came off a coffee cup.
785
For years, I thought it made me a joke.
786
Bitter, spare, unwanted.
787
But now I see it for what it is.
788
A latte is warmth, comfort, love poured into a cup.
789
Not the genius, not the princess.
790
I'm Latte.
791
Strong, sweet, unforgettable.
792
I was never invisible.
793
I was love in a cup, just like grandma always knew.
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Woordenschat en spreektips bij deze les
Deze spreekles is gebaseerd op de video “My Problems as a Middle Child”. Deze video bevat 793 zinnen en 7211 woorden om na te spreken. Het gesproken deel duurt 41:17. De spreker praat in een natuurlijk tempo van ongeveer 175 woorden per minuut, dicht bij een alledaags gesprek. Slechts 78% van de woorden hoort bij de 3.000 meest gebruikte Engelse woorden, dus de woordenschat is pittig.
Belangrijke woorden in deze video
15 woorden uit de video die het leren waard zijn, met uitspraak en betekenis:
| Woord | Uitspraak | Betekenis |
|---|---|---|
| invisible bijvoeglijk naamwoord | /ɪnˈvɪzəb(ə)l/ | onzichtbaar |
| genius zelfstandig naamwoord | /ˈd͡ʒin.jəs/ | genie |
| grandma zelfstandig naamwoord | /ˈɡɹænmɑː/ | oma |
| poop zelfstandig naamwoord | /ˈpuːp/ | poep |
| meanwhile bijwoord | /ˈmiːnwaɪl/ | intussen, ondertussen |
| sneak werkwoord | /sniːk/ | sluipen, rondsluipen |
| prank zelfstandig naamwoord | /pɹæŋk/ | streek, grap |
| snake zelfstandig naamwoord | /sneɪk/ | slang, serpent |
| hallway zelfstandig naamwoord | /ˈhɔlˌweɪ/ | gang |
| ignore werkwoord | /ɪɡˈnɔː/ | negeren |
| breathe werkwoord | /bɹiːð/ | ademen, ademhalen |
| hug werkwoord | /hʌɡ/ | elkaar omarmen |
| twin zelfstandig naamwoord | /twɪn/ | tweeling |
| pretend werkwoord | /pɹəˈtɛnd/ | voorgeven |
| jealous bijvoeglijk naamwoord | /ˈd͡ʒɛl.əs/ | jaloers |
Phrasal verbs die je zult horen
| Woord | Uitspraak | Betekenis |
|---|---|---|
| come back werkwoord | terugkomen | |
| end up werkwoord | belanden, terechtkomen | |
| grow up werkwoord | opgroeien | |
| mess up werkwoord | verrommelen, in de war brengen | |
| sit down werkwoord | gaan zitten | |
| break down werkwoord | stukgaan, kapot gaan | |
| come out werkwoord | /ˌkʌm ˈaʊt/ | uitkomen |
| find out werkwoord | ontdekken, onderzoeken |
Zinnen om te herhalen
Korte, volledige zinnen uit de video die je in alledaagse gesprekken kunt gebruiken:
- Is my precious pumpkin okay?
- Should I call the ambulance?
- Aren't you supposed to be the genius one?
- Honestly, why can't you be more like your sisters?
- I pretended you didn't matter, but the truth?
Grammatica in deze video
De structuren die de spreker het meest gebruikt, met de exacte woorden uit de video:
| Structuur | In de video |
|---|---|
| Voorwaardelijke zinnen if + zin, will/would + werkwoord — een voorwaarde en het gevolg | if I vanished into thin air, would anyone · if I told them, they'd never · If it wasn't you, they'd blame |
| “Used to” used to + werkwoord — een vroegere gewoonte of toestand die niet meer klopt | used to be · used to think |
| Lijdende vorm be + voltooid deelwoord — het gaat om wat er gebeurt, niet om wie het doet | was born · was decided · are hidden |
| Present perfect have/has + voltooid deelwoord — iets uit het verleden dat nu nog telt | has changed · I've never seen · have you done |
Uitspraak om op te letten
De spreker gebruikt 152 samentrekkingen en verkorte vormen, zoals you're, didn't, don't. Spreek ze kort uit, zoals je ze hoort.
- De “th”-klanken: breathe /bɹiːð/, leather /ˈlɛðɚ/, thin /ˈθɪn/, math /mæθ/, smooth /smuːð/
- De klanken “sh” en “zh”: donation /doʊˈneɪʃən/, flash /flæʃ/, trash /tɹæʃ/, tissue /ˈtɪʃ.(j)u/, blush /ˈblʌʃ/
- Lange woorden — let op de klemtoon: invisible /ɪnˈvɪzəb(ə)l/, naturally /ˈnæt͡ʃ.(ə.)ɹə.li/, accidentally /ˌæk.sɪˈdɛnt(ə)li/, recognition /ˌɹɛkəɡˈnɪʃ(ə)n/, reputation /ˌɹɛpjʊˈteɪʃən/
Klanken die Nederlandstaligen lastig vinden:
- Stemhebbende eindmedeklinker — /b/, /d/, /g/, /z/, /v/ niet verscherpen: hug /hʌɡ/, pretend /pɹəˈtɛnd/, legend /ˈlɛd͡ʒ.ənd/, footage /ˈfʊtɪd͡ʒ/, drag /dɹæɡ/
- /æ/ — opener dan de Nederlandse “e”: grandma /ˈɡɹænmɑː/, prank /pɹæŋk/, fancy /ˈfæn.si/, snack /snæk/, snap /snæp/
- /g/ — een harde plofklank, geen Nederlandse “g”: grandma /ˈɡɹænmɑː/, ignore /ɪɡˈnɔː/, hug /hʌɡ/, glance /ɡlæns/, ugly /ˈʌɡli/
Zo oefen je met deze video
- Luister de hele video één keer zonder te spreken en noteer de woorden die je niet kent.
- Begin op 0,75× snelheid, spreek zin voor zin na en ga terug naar normale snelheid zodra het makkelijk gaat.
- Neem jezelf op en vergelijk met het origineel; let daarbij op woorden als invisible, genius, grandma.
Wat is de Shadowing-techniek?
Shadowing is een wetenschappelijk onderbouwde taalleermethode die oorspronkelijk is ontwikkeld voor professionele tolkentraining en gepopulariseerd door polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. De methode is eenvoudig maar krachtig: je luistert naar native Engelse audio en herhaalt het onmiddellijk hardop — als een schaduw die de spreker volgt met slechts 1–2 seconden vertraging. In tegenstelling tot passief luisteren of grammaticadrills, dwingt shadowing je hersenen en mondspieren om echte spraakpatronen tegelijkertijd te verwerken en te reproduceren. Onderzoek toont aan dat het de uitspraaknauwkeurigheid, intonatie, ritme, verbonden spraak, luisterbegrip en spreekvaardigheid aanzienlijk verbetert — waardoor het een van de meest effectieve methoden is voor IELTS Speaking-voorbereiding en echte Engelse communicatie.