Shadowing Practice: My Problems as a Middle Child - Learn English Speaking with Video
Choose a practice mode
Each mode opens a full-screen practice room.
793 sentences
If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.
1
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.
2
Before I continue, please like and subscribe.
3
First things first, let me introduce you to my parents.
4
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.
5
Buy, sell, move those investments.
6
No, not the tech stocks, the blue chips.
7
And why is nobody checking the quarterly profits?
8
Meanwhile, mom's basically a TikTok royalty.
9
She made cooking videos while looking like a goddess, and somehow every single one of them gets a million views.
10
One time, she was just boiling water, and the comments were acting like she just saved the world.
11
Now let's talk about my sisters.
12
So here's the thing.
13
I was born right in the middle of triplets.
14
According to mom, order matters.
15
So Marie was decided as the oldest because she burst out 1 .2 seconds before me and our youngest popped out last,
16
blinking those iconic eyelashes and pouting those extra plump lips at everyone in the hospital room.
17
Mom named her Princess because honestly, she looked just like one.
18
Even the doctor and nurses said so.
19
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.
20
Meanwhile, Marie was a certified genius.
21
When she was born, she didn't even cry.
22
She spoke.
23
And it wasn't just any word.
24
It was the longest word ever.
25
Extra supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
26
Everyone clapped, then fainted.
27
And because of that, our parents named her after the legendary Marie Curie, the most iconic female genius in history.
28
She could solve a Rubik's Cube with her eyes closed at three months old.
29
Naturally, she just kept getting smarter as we grew up, and Dad was obsessed.
30
He literally framed her report cards and all her other academic achievements and plastered them on our walls.
31
Oh, my smart little cookie.
32
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.
33
Meanwhile, when the nurse asked for my name, Mom just glanced around the room and spotted
34
Dad's favorite coffee, Latte.
35
So they slapped the name on me right then and there, and it stuck.
36
Even the bitterness.
37
If Marie's the smart and serious one, Princess is the pretty and sweet one.
38
Her face card never declined.
39
Her lashes are so long you can mop the floors with them.
40
All she has to do is blink, and TikTok loses its mind.
41
She literally went viral for just yawning once, and mom was so proud.
42
Look at those lips, those lashes, that perfect little nose.
43
Of course, she got it from her mama, which is me.
44
I think I'm gonna cry.
45
They would do each other's makeup, go on shopping sprees, and film TikToks together.
46
So basically, Dad was Team Marie, Mom was Team Princess, and I was on Team Wallpaper.
47
Or maybe Team Houseplant.
48
You know, just quietly existing in the background, hoping someone remembers to water me.
49
I was the normal triplet, so I was just there.
50
There was nothing special about me.
51
Maybe my name really did fit me after all.
52
Most of the time, they just totally forgot I existed.
53
Like that time when they literally left me at the park, packed up, loaded the car, and just drove away.
54
There I was, vibing on the swing,
55
trying not to panic, when a stranger found my emergency number taped to my unicorn toy and called my mom.
56
Hi, ma 'am.
57
I think you left your child at the park.
58
Oh, right.
59
I thought we only had twins.
60
Sorry about that.
61
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.
62
Even dinner was brutal.
63
Marie had her steak cut into perfect cubes and served with organic pomegranate juice.
64
Princess got her spaghetti swirled into a heart shape with glitter sprinkles, while me, a single, sad, boiled egg.
65
Can someone pass the salt, please?
66
I had to ask six times before anyone noticed.
67
You have hands, sweetie.
68
You can do it yourself.
69
Then she literally walked around me to give napkins to Princess.
70
Oh, thanks, Mom.
71
You're literally the best.
72
Even our relatives and neighbors weren't different.
73
You guys have such beautiful twins.
74
Hey, Marie.
75
Hi, Princess.
76
And, uh, the other one.
77
Basically, I was the other one.
78
And don't even get me started on birthdays.
79
Every year, Marie and Princess got mountains of cake, giant crowns, and enough presents to fill a delivery truck.
80
While I got a single cupcake, with a bite already taken out of it, and a used birthday candle that barely stayed lit.
81
For gifts, just whatever my sisters tossed aside.
82
On our 11th birthday, I didn't even get anything, literally.
83
Not a single gift.
84
Not even a card.
85
Oh, latte, sweetie.
86
I'm so sorry.
87
We totally forgot.
88
Here's a tissue roll.
89
Here's five bucks.
90
Go wild at the dollar store, champ.
91
Meanwhile, my sisters were basically swimming in glitter and unwrapping the entire toy store.
92
The only one who ever paid me any attention at home was our dog, Mr. Wiggles.
93
But unfortunately, his idea of love was licking my face right after cleaning his own post -poop butthole.
94
Sometimes he'd even poop in my bed, and mom would just wave it off.
95
Oh, it's just poop, sweetie.
96
No big deal.
97
Just clean it up yourself.
98
It won't hurt you.
99
As for my sisters, they only talked to me when they needed me.
100
Now that we were in middle school, nothing much has changed.
101
Marie only remembered my existence if she needed help with her homework.
102
The easy and boring parts, like coloring her science projects or organizing her notebooks.
103
Meanwhile, Princess only noticed me if she needed a camera woman for her TikToks and live streams.
104
Honestly, watching her film behind the scenes was a total cringe fest.
105
I swear, she just made things up the entire time.
106
What am I drinking?
107
Oh, it's just a super healthy smoothie I made all by myself.
108
It's totally organic, straight from trees and leaves and, like, you know, nature and stuff. So healthy.
109
Oh my gosh, a cute boy is waving at me across the street.
110
He just mouthed that I'm the prettiest girl in the world.
111
Omg, stop it.
112
Go away.
113
But you know what hurt me the most?
114
Whenever I get sick.
115
One time, I was legit burning up with fever and was having a hard time breathing.
116
I went to my parents' room to tell them about it, but they just didn't care.
117
Just go bathe in ice, sweetie.
118
Thought it was something important.
119
I had the most beautiful dream, and now it's ruined.
120
But the second princess coughed once across the room, mom did a triple backflip off the couch.
121
Is my precious pumpkin okay?
122
Should I call the ambulance?
123
Marie sneezed in her room and dad parachuted in with orange juice.
124
We heard a noise, sweetheart.
125
Are you okay?
126
Need anything?
127
I'm studying, dad.
128
Please leave and close the window quietly.
129
Sometimes I wondered, if I vanished into thin air, would anyone notice?
130
The only time I ever felt truly seen was whenever my grandma visited.
131
She'd sweep through the front door on her sparkly slippers, hug me like she was trying to squeeze the sadness out of me,
132
and flip extra cookies into my backpack.
133
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,
134
and not just triplet number two.
135
When everyone else was busy ignoring me, grandma would teach me how to make fancy drinks, especially coffees.
136
A good cup of coffee can turn a lonely day sweet.
137
Maybe she doesn't want me feeling bad about my name forever, and it worked.
138
I appreciated what latte means.
139
Making drinks like this with Grandma is my most special thing in the world.
140
One day, I made coffee for my family.
141
It was a personal brew, and I was super confident in my work, but they just looked at the cups in disgust.
142
Ugh, what is this?
143
You want us to drink that?
144
I I made it myself if you could just try just get me my usual from my favorite coffee shop Okay, champ.
145
I can't risk my taste buds on an unknown variable
146
Sorry princess pretended to take a sip
147
and pulled a face for her livestream guys I think I just tasted my villain origin story.
148
I think I'm gonna die
149
Somebody send help but
150
if you thought home was rough school was a whole new level of pain at school Marie was that girl.
151
The class president, the straight -A superstar, the student teachers literally asked for help.
152
She answered questions before they even finished asking.
153
Everyone looked up to her like she was some kind of academic goddess.
154
Meanwhile, Princess always slayed the hallways in her trendiest outfits like an actual princess.
155
It felt like the whole school was obsessed with her.
156
People actually followed her around just to see if she'd blink, breathe, or maybe drop a hair ties.
157
They had fans, while I had haters.
158
Seriously?
159
Their parents should've stopped at twins.
160
She's got this major third wheel energy.
161
Yeah, she's not even that pretty or smart.
162
She's just there.
163
Zero aura, unlike her sisters.
164
I bet she's actually adopted
165
or something like hello we literally have the same face i wanted to hold up a mirror and scream
166
do you not see the copy paste happening here i bet they still wouldn't see it even
167
if i tattooed triplet number two on my forehead one day
168
i decided to try fitting in first
169
i went full princess mode curled my lashes wore the brightest pink i could find
170
and even borrowed her lip gloss which tasted like expired bubble gum.
171
Imposter alert!
172
Her lashes are like 0 .24 millimeters shorter.
173
Nice try, fake princess.
174
Oh, bless your heart, but you'll never be princess.
175
There's only room for one queen at this school.
176
The following week, I tried acting like Marie.
177
I slapped on some glasses, tied my hair into the tightest bun, and even solved a ridiculously difficult math problem on the board.
178
For two glorious minutes, people actually looked at me.
179
But then the real Marie walked in
180
and everyone instantly forgot i existed again um can you sit down
181
now the real genius is here at lunch kids would save
182
the best seat for princess an extra dessert for marie
183
and nothing for me one girl literally passed food through me
184
like i was a hologram every time the world felt too much i'd sneak into the bathroom call grandma
185
and she talked to me until i could smile again
186
Oh, my little sweet Latte, just because they don't see you now doesn't mean you're not sparkling.
187
Some treasures are hidden for a reason.
188
Now hush, darling, you're my brightest star.
189
She always knew exactly what to say, but one day, everything changed.
190
We came home, and Mom was ugly crying for the first time.
191
Grandma's gone, Latte.
192
She had a heart attack.
193
She didn't make it.
194
My heart broke into a million pieces.
195
I cried for days.
196
I skipped dessert and stopped caring about school.
197
Meanwhile, my sisters acted like nothing happened.
198
I was sitting in the bathroom stall, hugging grandma's old scarf, trying to remember how to breathe.
199
That's when it really hit me.
200
Being invisible hurts the most when the only person who actually sees you is gone.
201
So there I was, sitting outside the school building, face buried in my knees, trying to disappear into the flower bed.
202
Just then, I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder.
203
Hey, are you okay?
204
I froze.
205
Someone actually asked if I was okay?
206
Was this some kind of prank?
207
For a split second, I thought it might be the school janitor ready to bust me for squishing the daisies again.
208
But no, standing in front of me was, I swear, the cutest boy I'd ever seen in real life.
209
He looked like a Disney prince.
210
He had curly chestnut hair, hazel eyes flecked with gold, and a smile so dazzling it could melt a diamond into a sparkling puddle.
211
He handed me his handkerchief, which smelled like expensive cologne and cinnamon rolls.
212
Uh, thanks.
213
I've never seen you before.
214
Are you new here?
215
Yeah, and I think I'm lost.
216
This school is like a giant pizza.
217
Too many slices.
218
I laughed for the first time in weeks.
219
I ended up showing him around, and to my surprise, he was in my class.
220
His name was Bryce, a transfer student, and the moment he stepped into our classroom,
221
you could literally hear every girl's jaw hit the floor, including my sister's.
222
Since then, both of them were glued to him like flirty magnets to a fridge.
223
So, Bryce, want to join the science club?
224
I could help you with algebra or chemistry or, you know, world domination.
225
Hey, handsome, want to act as my boyfriend for my next TikTok content?
226
And I have 35 million followers.
227
We could go on a fake date and kiss under the stars.
228
It was a competition every single day while I was stuck on the sidelines.
229
He asked me to help with his meth homework.
230
Clearly, he's into me.
231
Please, he liked and commented on all my TikTok videos.
232
Even my baby videos and the one where I had braces.
233
He's so obsessed with me.
234
Sorry to interrupt, but are you guys actually crushing on him or what?
235
Nope.
236
Future CEO rules.
237
Studies first, boys later.
238
I don't have time for distractions.
239
But you're literally all over him.
240
Correction, he's all over me.
241
Aren't you supposed to be the genius one?
242
So why are you being so delusional?
243
Bryce is basically my fanboy.
244
He even collects my photo cards.
245
Sorry, sissy.
246
Sorry to burst your stupid little bubble, but he asked me to be his private tutor 24 -7.
247
So, clearly, he likes me more.
248
I couldn't take it anymore, so I finally inserted myself into the conversation.
249
He actually talked to me first.
250
We literally walked in together on his first day, remember?
251
He found me crying and gave me his handkerchief.
252
It wasn't just some random thing.
253
He noticed me first and made the first move.
254
Both of them looked at me like I just said I was moving to Mars.
255
Oh, please.
256
He was just being polite.
257
Don't get your hopes up, Latte.
258
Oh, our dear Latte.
259
Bryce is just really kind to everyone.
260
I'm sure he felt bad because you looked so sad.
261
He's just got that big, soft heart.
262
What a sweetheart.
263
And that was it.
264
They went right back to fighting over him while I just faded into the background again, hugging Bryce's handkerchief close to my.. chest.
265
So the next day at school, I decided it was time to make a move on him.
266
I needed him to remember me.
267
Later that day, I spotted him at his locker,
268
looking all mysterious and handsome with his hair perfectly messy like he just rolled out of an expensive magazine.
269
I marched over, clutching my books so tight my fingers turned white.
270
Hey Bryce, remember me?
271
I helped you when you got lost on your first day.
272
And you gave me your handkerchief?
273
He glanced at me, blinked twice, and his face lit up with recognition.
274
Oh, yeah, your latte, right?
275
You were really helpful that day.
276
Thanks again.
277
I probably would have ended up in the janitor's closet without you.
278
Oh, um, yeah.
279
I mean, I get lost all the time, too.
280
Like, last week, I walked into the boys' bathroom by accident.
281
So, you're welcome.
282
So, do you know if the cafeteria food ever gets less weird?
283
Um, maybe on pizza day.
284
But most days, it's kind of a mystery.
285
Like, sometimes I just bring emergency snacks, just in case.
286
We talked for a few more seconds before the bell rang.
287
Every time I saw him after that, he'd wave or flash a friendly smile.
288
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,
289
accidentally dropping all my books right at his feet.
290
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.
291
Maybe, just maybe, I wasn't that invisible after all.
292
One night, I was looking for something to eat in the kitchen for my midnight snack
293
when I noticed mom's favorite golden spatula, the one she used in all her TikTok videos, was snapped in half.
294
I was about to play detective when she walked in, took one look, and had a full -on meltdown.
295
Oh, my precious spatula!
296
Latte, what have you done?
297
What?
298
Mom, I swear, I didn't even touch it.
299
It was already broken when I found it.
300
Honestly, why can't you be more like your sisters?
301
Sometimes I wish we just had twins.
302
No need for a spare.
303
Mom didn't stop crying over that spatula, like she lost a best friend.
304
She even held a mini funeral for it the next day and kept talking about replacement kids and broken dreams with dad.
305
Their words felt like a thousand tiny daggers in my chest.
306
Later that day, I was sulking in the corner, hugging my knees when Princess tiptoed in.
307
Hey, um, Latte?
308
I was actually the one who broke Mom's spatula.
309
I was filming a slow -mo pancake flip for TikTok, and it just snapped.
310
But, you know, if I told them, they'd never believe it.
311
I'm their perfect princess.
312
Sorry, sissy.
313
So you just let them yell at me and insult me?
314
If it wasn't you, they'd blame Marie.
315
But she's the genius, so it would somehow be your fault anyway.
316
That's just how it is in this house.
317
She's right.
318
Just move on.
319
It's not a big deal.
320
But to me, it was a big deal.
321
That night, I cried myself to sleep, hugging Grandma's old scarf and staring at the moon outside my window.
322
And that's when I decided I'd had enough.
323
If nobody wanted me around, maybe I'd just disappear for real.
324
But where do you run when you're not even sure anyone would notice you're gone?
325
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,
326
I spotted the cutest little hamster zipping across the hallway.
327
At first, I thought I was hallucinating, but nope, there he was, doing little parkour stunts like he owned the place.
328
So naturally, I followed him, through the gym, under the vending machine, and across the trash can,
329
where I accidentally stepped on a ketchup packet and basically ruined my socks forever.
330
The little guy finally disappeared behind a bookshelf near the back of the school library, right by the toilet.
331
Looking at the empty spot, I suddenly had the craziest idea ever.
332
Live at school like a secret lair style.
333
No parents, no sisters, no drama and unfair treatment.
334
Just total peace and free Wi -Fi.
335
That night, I packed up my stuff.
336
Blanket burrito, folding mattress, emergency cookies, grandma's old lamp for extra comfort, and of course, and my trusty mini coffee -making kit.
337
I then strolled past my parents, dragging a huge suitcase behind me just to see their reactions
338
and guess what neither of them blinked hey guys
339
i'm running away from home gonna live in the wild eat moss maybe join a circus
340
if anything mom just told me not to slam the door
341
so off i went i snuck into school under the cover of darkness crawled through a window
342
and set up my new home behind the back library shelves
343
i laid out my mattress decorated my secret base with string lights
344
and hamster snacks just in case the little guy came back, and did a happy victory dance.
345
It was perfect!
346
Now that I was basically a bored ghost living at school, I started mapping out every single inch of the place,
347
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.
348
At night, the school was creepy and weirdly exciting.
349
I even found the secret security room where all the CCTV monitors were.
350
I spent hours just watching, like my own private reality show.
351
And I couldn't believe the stuff I found out, especially about my sisters.
352
Oh, these footages are definitely going to come in handy very soon.
353
I just realized that being invisible was kind of awesome, actually.
354
But it also made me a little evil.
355
That night, I snuck into the science lab
356
and stole a whole bag of fake rubber snakes that looked super realistic and extra slithery.
357
The next morning, I woke up early and planted my new friends under all the mean kids' chairs in our class.
358
Each snake was taped to a nearly invisible string, all leading right to my desk.
359
It was my masterpiece.
360
Before class, I sat at my desk, looking totally innocent and waiting for the drama to drop.
361
Ugh, did someone forget to take out the trash?
362
Oh, wait, it's just Latte, the ugly triplet.
363
Yeah, why are you even here?
364
Nobody cares unless you're Marie or Princess.
365
Careful, girls.
366
Some people say the universe bites back, and it has fangs.
367
And that's when I gave the string the tiniest little tug.
368
Suddenly, the fake snakes slithered out from under their chairs, and a chorus of blood -curling screams echoed through the classroom.
369
Told you not to mess with me.
370
Next time, it might be spiders or anacondas.
371
For the first time in my life, everyone actually stared at me like I had superpowers.
372
Some looked terrified, and others were impressed.
373
Wait, can you actually summon snakes?
374
Are you like half -human, half -snake?
375
Oh, that's so cool!
376
If you ever insult me again, the snakes will know.
377
For once, I felt cool and powerful.
378
That night, powered up by my brand new bad girl reputation, I plotted even more epic pranks and powers.
379
I swapped out the teacher's chalk with color -changing markers so every lesson turned into a rainbow rave.
380
I glued googly eyes to every classroom door.
381
Seriously, everywhere you looked, it felt like the whole school was staring you down.
382
With every prank, my legend grew.
383
People started whispering my name in the halls.
384
I also started wearing smoky eyeliner, spiky bracelets, and a random leather jacket I found and lost and found.
385
Suddenly, everyone thought I was cool.
386
Even the lunch lady raised an eyebrow and gave me an extra meatball.
387
But my sisters hated it.
388
They cornered me at lunch.
389
What is happening to you, Latte?
390
You used to be normal.
391
Now you're just embarrassing.
392
So you're a bad girl now?
393
Seriously, you look like a raccoon in that eyeliner.
394
Sorry, I can't hear you over the sound of everyone actually paying attention to me for once.
395
Jealous much?
396
Jealous of what?
397
Getting attention for causing trouble?
398
Whatever helps you sleep at night, I guess.
399
You wish you could go viral for something other than being a disaster.
400
Even your pranks are cringe, sissy.
401
Try harder next time.
402
I couldn't take it anymore.
403
So for the first time ever, I hit back.
404
Oh, Marie, maybe you should stop stealing answer keys from the teacher's office if you want to keep being a genius.
405
And princess, nice try hiding your butt rash.
406
Right then and there, I posted Marie's secret footage and Princess's embarrassing clip for everyone to see.
407
And the look on their faces was priceless.
408
But after a few days of watching them get roasted and ghosted at school, I actually felt awful.
409
For once, they were the invisible ones, and it hurt to watch.
410
It just made me feel worse.
411
Being the bad girl was starting to lose its sparkle.
412
Later that day, I was at my locker when Bryce showed up right next to me.
413
Hey, Troublemaker.
414
Hey, Bryce.
415
He leaned against the locker, studying me for a second.
416
You really went full savage mode, huh?
417
Saw your pranks.
418
They were.. a lot.
419
Guess people finally notice me now.
420
But is that what you really want?
421
I kinda like the old you.
422
The one who helped lost kids like me.
423
That hit me hard.
424
Suddenly, all the hurt and loneliness spilled out.
425
You don't get it.
426
All my life, I've been invisible.
427
Nobody ever picks me.
428
I'm just the extra triplet, the backup plan.
429
It sucks, Bryce.
430
I just want it to matter, even if it meant being a little evil.
431
He looked at me like he really saw me.
432
Not as a joke, not as an extra.
433
Well, I noticed you.
434
You're kind of impossible to ignore, you know?
435
My cheeks went red.
436
I tried to act chill, but I felt like melting right there.
437
Hey, want to see something cool?
438
I grabbed his hand and dragged him through the hallway until we docked into the back of the library.
439
Welcome to my secret lair.
440
No parents, no sisters, no drama.
441
Just books, coffee, and fairy lights.
442
I don't think you're allowed to live here.
443
But not gonna lie, this is pretty cool.
444
I know, right?
445
Here, sit.
446
I made him a cup and handed it over.
447
My hands were shaking a little.
448
He took a sip and his eyes went wide.
449
Hold up.
450
Did you put magic in this?
451
This coffee literally slaps.
452
It tastes so good.
453
It was the first time my coffee got validated and I felt like bouncing across the clouds in happiness.
454
It's my thing.
455
Started making drinks with my grandma when I was little.
456
It always made me feel less invisible.
457
Well, here's to you.
458
You're not invisible to me.
459
We sat together, just sipping coffee in the soft fairy light.
460
For the first time, I felt seen and maybe even special.
461
Since then, Bryce and I started getting closer.
462
We'd talk between classes, share snacks, and sometimes I'd sneak him my best coffee under the table.
463
Of course, my sisters were not happy about it.
464
Every time we talked, I could literally feel their jealous stares burning into the back of my head.
465
It wasn't long before they finally cornered me in the hallway.
466
Princess in full TikTok glam, Marie holding her books like a weapon.
467
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.
Download App
Everything you need to speak fluently
AI PronunciationScore every sentence
IPA PracticeMaster every sound
VocabularyBuild your word bank
Vocab GameLearn while playing
Same Channel
B11
My Psycho Brother Won’t Leave Me Alone
TeensDaily Conversation
B11
I Was Not Ready For What My Boyfriend Said About My Sister
TeensDaily Conversation
B21
My Millionaire Parents Adopted a Spoiled Brat
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B1My Life With 10 Sisters Crazy!
TeensDaily Conversation
B12
I’m too pretty, no one believes it’s real
TeensDaily Conversation
B22
No One Knew I Exist Until I Turned 15
TeensDaily ConversationWorking Adults
B12
Everyone in my school Is Scared Of Me
TeensDaily Conversation
![[MSU] Secret Spice - Full](https://img.youtube.com/vi/aCXoCfZvl1A/mqdefault.jpg)
B21
[MSU] Secret Spice - Full
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B13
My Experience On First Day At School At 13
TeensDaily Conversation
B21
my Parents Divorced What A Mess
TeensDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B126
it's not you, it's her
American AccentTeensDaily ConversationHigh School Students
B12
What Happened To My Brother
TeensDaily Conversation
![[MSU] My First Love at the University](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Mkk93MrU90g/mqdefault.jpg)
B12
[MSU] My First Love at the University
TeensDaily Conversation
B27
I'm the Weird Sister
TeensDaily Conversation
B113
Mom Looks like a 10 year old
American AccentTeensDaily ConversationHigh School Students
A225
I'm Turning Into A Vampire - Season 2 Episode 2 - Trailer
American AccentKidsTeens
B12
I'm a Famous Singer But No One Sees My face
TeensDaily Conversation
B13
I Was Hired to Protect a Clumsy Billionaire
TeensDaily Conversation
B12
I Made My Billionaire BF Go Bankrupt
TeensDaily Conversation
B220
He Was Dating The 3 Of Us
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
FOR YOU
Recommend Video
B11
221 sentences
TikTok - Scrolling
TeensDaily Conversation
B11
443 sentences
Girl Abandons Family After Getting Fame | Dhar Mann Studios
TeensDaily Conversation
A2197 sentences
My Older Sister Is So Bossy! | Easy English Listening Practice (A2)
TeensDaily Conversation
B14
83 sentences
Matilda Learns To Control Her Powers | Matilda
TeensDaily ConversationHigh School Students
B11
35 sentences
Why Asian kids don't get Bs
TeensDaily ConversationHigh School Students
B12
36 sentences
I Was Jealous Of My Twin Sister
TeensDaily Conversation
B13
32 sentences
I Fused With The School’s Most Annoying Diva
TeensDaily ConversationHigh School Students
B13
139 sentences
Write And Wrong In 5 Minutes With Rita Loud! | The Loud House
TeensDaily Conversation
B12
89 sentences
Daddy Longlegs 4 A Foreign Country Little Fox TEST 2
TeensDaily Conversation
B12
339 sentences
My Big Brother’s SECRET Put Our Whole Family In DANGER
TeensDaily ConversationHigh School Students
Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This speaking lesson is built on the video “My Problems as a Middle Child”. This video has 793 sentences and 7211 words to shadow. The speech runs for 41:17. The speaker talks at a natural 175 words per minute, close to everyday conversation. Only 78% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is demanding.
Key vocabulary in this video
15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| invisible adjective | /ɪnˈvɪzəb(ə)l/ | Unable to be seen; out of sight; not visible. |
| genius noun | /ˈd͡ʒin.jəs/ | Someone possessing extraordinary intelligence or skill; especially somebody who has demonstrated this by a creative or original work in science, music, art… |
| grandma noun | /ˈɡɹænmɑː/ | Grandmother. |
| poop noun | /ˈpuːp/ | The sound of a steam engine's whistle, typically low-pitched. |
| meanwhile adverb | /ˈmiːnwaɪl/ | During the time that something is happening, often specifically in a different place. |
| sneak verb | /sniːk/ | To creep or go stealthily; to come or go while trying to avoid detection, as a person who does not wish to be seen. |
| prank noun | /pɹæŋk/ | A practical joke or mischievous trick. |
| snake noun | /sneɪk/ | Any of the suborder Serpentes of legless reptiles with long, thin bodies and fork-shaped tongues. |
| hallway noun | /ˈhɔlˌweɪ/ | A corridor in a building that connects rooms. |
| ignore verb | /ɪɡˈnɔː/ | To deliberately not listen or pay attention to. |
| breathe verb | /bɹiːð/ | To draw air into (inhale), and expel air from (exhale), the lungs in order to extract oxygen and excrete waste gases. |
| hug verb | /hʌɡ/ | To cling closely together. |
| fancy noun | /ˈfæn.si/ | The imagination. |
| twin noun | /twɪn/ | Either of two people (or, less commonly, animals) who shared the same uterus at the same time; one who was born at the same birth as a sibling. |
| pretend verb | /pɹəˈtɛnd/ | To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| come back verb | To return to a place. |
| end up verb | To bring to a conclusion. |
| grow up verb | To mature and become an adult. |
| hold up verb | To wait or delay. |
| mess up verb | To make a mess of; to untidy, disorder, soil, or muss. |
| sit down verb | To assume a sitting position from a standing position. |
| break down verb | To stop functioning. |
| burst out verb | To appear suddenly from within something else. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- 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?
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Conditional sentences if + clause, will/would + verb — a condition and its result | 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 + verb — a past habit or state that is no longer true | used to be · used to think |
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | was born · was decided · are hidden |
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | has changed · I've never seen · have you done |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 152 contractions and reduced forms, such as you're, didn't, don't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “th” sounds: breathe /bɹiːð/, leather /ˈlɛðɚ/, thin /ˈθɪn/, math /mæθ/, smooth /smuːð/
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: donation /doʊˈneɪʃən/, flash /flæʃ/, trash /tɹæʃ/, tissue /ˈtɪʃ.(j)u/, blush /ˈblʌʃ/
- Long words — get the stress right: invisible /ɪnˈvɪzəb(ə)l/, naturally /ˈnæt͡ʃ.(ə.)ɹə.li/, accidentally /ˌæk.sɪˈdɛnt(ə)li/, recognition /ˌɹɛkəɡˈnɪʃ(ə)n/, reputation /ˌɹɛpjʊˈteɪʃən/
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Start at 0.75× speed, shadow it sentence by sentence, then go back to normal speed once it feels easy.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like invisible, genius, grandma.
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.