Carrie’s Shadow

Mom, I'm going to bring cookies over to the new neighbors." Carrie slid the container under her arm. "Dad and I met them yesterday."

"Okay, honey," Mom said. Carrie was nearly out the door when Mom suddenly stopped her. "Carrie, would you take Brianna with you?" Carrie frowned, but she took her little cousin's hand. Mom might want a break, she thought. Brianna was staying with them for a few days while Carrie's aunt and uncle were away.

As they walked down the street, Brianna looked up at Carrie. Her cousin watched her the whole way. Carrie felt a little uncomfortable but quickly forgot about it when they reached the neighbors' house.

Carrie greeted the Huangs, who had moved from China. When she said hello, Brianna said hello. When Carrie began to skip on the way home, Brianna skipped too. Carrie raised an eyebrow but shrugged it off.

For the next several days, Brianna wanted to do everything Carrie did. When Carrie put her hair up, so did Brianna. When Carrie wore pink, her litt