The Hidden Twin

Twins Kaeleigh and Raeanne are almost identical in their features they get mixed up by boyfriends and badgered by each other’s enemies not being able to tell them apart. But being 16 in a crazy new world facing drugs boyfriends, alcohol, and popularity and trying to keep up your grades health and sanity can be very trying sometimes. It is hard, trying to find yourself in the world, while other people don't even know that you are a person apart from your sister. To have totally different thoughts, feeling and emotions from a person with whom you are constantly referred to as one complete being is very difficult.

In Identical by Ellen Hopkins, (book cover above) Kaeleigh and Raeanne are trying desperately to break away from each other while still trapped under their dysfunctional family life that is tearing everyone in it apart. While their alcoholic father rapes and sexually abuses Kaeleigh and takes keeps her under a tight leash. Raeanne however is tormented by a different kind of abuse; psychological Raeanne and Kaeleigh’s mother a Politian emotionally withdrew from both of her children after a car accident with their drunken father that left no visible injuries only, all inside.

Raeanne was the character I subconsciously chose to connect with and mentally analyze more often than Kaeleigh. As I found it harder to connect with Kaeleigh, while Raeanne was out of their father’s sights Kaeleigh was expected to wear the right clothes, have top grades be with all of the right people and above all maintain her image in the community. While Kaeleigh appeared feeble, submissive and afraid of change and taking chances, Raeanne was the tough twin who jumped in headfirst disobeyed adults with her “I don’t give a damn,” attitude she seemed to defy gravity. ˂ (I love Wicked.)

But underneath this almost macho image, Raeanne is still the young girl shielding her eyes every night as her sister was raped by daddy then sobbing silently. She is still the little girl believing in true love and fairy tales and wanting desperately to be held or even touched by her mommy again.

Each time Raeanne becomes close to someone she pushes away which will cause big problems. Raeanne is promiscuous, uses all kinds of crazy drugs, lusts for young male teachers and gets into fights with other girls that stand in her way. I believe that the twins’ parents knew about Raeanne’s behavior all along but Raeanne was out of daddy’s sights; and Mommy dearest was so blinded by the lights of the campaign trail and the emotion turmoil of the accident, not even a preteen Kaeleigh five years earlier trying to show her the bruises and scars from daddy could open mom’s eyes. Raeanne like many people putting on a show to be tough, independent and not needing any help just want to be held and told that they are loved