"Shhhh. It was just a dream."
She catches her breath.
"I know. I don't need my little sister to tell me that."
"Younger by twenty-one minutes."
"Shut up and let me calm down."

She thinks she's so great.

I feel butterflies in my stomach and I'm reminded of the day I'm about to have. I shiver. The Exam is today. Only ten percent of my Age Group make it to the fourth round of Trials. So few people make it that it's a very big deal. Anyone who actually takes the Exam is sworn to secrecy.
But there are rumors. You supposedly only have two hours to answer hundreds of questions. Terrifying.
I hate these Trials. They're giving the Officials too much power. And absolute power corrupts.
My father knocks on the door of our room as I slide on a red shirt and grey pants.
"You will do great today," he says when I open the door. "We will be proud no matter what."
"Thanks, Dad." I take him in for a moment.
He smells like almonds, as always. He is tall with light skin, fair hair, and strikingly green eyes.
We stand there for a few seconds, taking one another in. It's not awkward. It's sad.
He gives me a grim smile.
"You are already in the top ten percentile. That in itself is success. We are so proud of both of you."
He moves past me and walks to my sister's bed. She is already asleep again. Not much of a morning person.
He coaxes her awake while I take a lap around the house, never staying for too long in one area. It's difficult to stay still, especially when I'm nervous. And it's difficult to stay on task. My teachers at school have diagnosed me with a certain disorder involving that sort of thing. But it wasn't discussed long; they just gave me meds and dropped it. Difference isn't really understood.
Oh god oh god oh god. What if Willow passes and I don't? What if she's ten times smarter and they laugh at me for how stupid I am? Oh god. What if my parents love her more? Appreciate her more?

It's not easy being one half of something bigger.

This exam is a chance to prove I can be something.