"So I'm not hallucinating?" Lena asked for the third time.

"No. You're not hallucinating."

"You're real. You're real?"

"Yes, I'm real!" Kaina said in exasperation. Impaired judgment - one of the reasons Kaina habitually avoided alcohol. Her inner voice already had problems. She sighed, leaning into the back rest of the couch. Her arms were crossed and she impatiently drummed her fingers against her arms. "You had to be drunk."

"Well, excuse me for being depressed."

Kaina's brows rose and she made it a point to look around the room. "And you're depressed because…"

"I haven't had a single stupid acting job in forever. My career's going downhill like one of those chairs with wheels on it, you know?"

"Not even a little bit."

Lena shook her head. "I've been going to auditions all over the world. Oh, I was very popular back in the day, but now I'm like old news. You know, one minute I was in commercials and movies and TV shows and the next, I'm using coupons because the land taxes are killing me, and nothing new is coming in. Nobody wants me."

Kaina nodded, only able to understand the final three words.

"So that's why I'm drinking. I've had a great career, and now it's like I'm back at square one. I was supposed to be in front of the camera, not behind the counter. It's so stupid. My stupid cousin hasn't worked a day in her life and she's, like, everybody's favorite person."

"Who is your cousin?"

Lena looked at her like she'd forgotten Kaina could speak. "Oh, um, Rosalind. Oh, sorry, Princess Rosalind," she corrected. "Well, not yet, but in like a week. She's marrying some prince." She made an offhanded gesture. "Like I even want to go! We have nothing in common; even when we were little girls she would steal all my friends and I would never see them again. Kind of like right now; she's dominating the conversation and she's not even here."

"Yes, well, you and I have much in common," Kaina muttered. "And that detour was my fault. Back to you," Lena grinned, "They haven't forgotten about you, Lena. I was mistaken for you on my way here. She wanted an autograph, a selfie, a hug, and she wanted to meet Jarrod." At least the last two things she understood.

"Ah. Jarrod." Lena's grin had faded, and she sighed, examining her wine glass. "I'm not sure about him. You know, when it all started, he was so exciting. He was a movie producer, I wanted to be an actress. He was single, I was single. It seemed too good to be true. But lately the only part I know he'll get me is his own. All his new movies are kind of…awful. Maybe he's dead weight."

Kaina nodded, only to simulate understanding.

Lena turned her studious eyes to Kaina. "Would you go in my place?"

"Excuse me?"

"I just, I really don't want to go to her wedding. And you look just like me, and you have, like, incredible timing. Please?"

"I don't know," Kaina said awkwardly.

"There are just other things I have to do. You know, you see one wedding, you see them all and I've been thinking of breaking up with Jarrod for awhile now. Please, it would help me out so much."

"Uh, I," Kaina floundered.

"You know, you would be in the presence of royal people. Not everyone can say that."

Kaina stared into Lena's drunk-fogged eyes. She didn't want to meet another version of Rosaine, but she also couldn't tell Lena that Rosalind also had a twin. It would not be a brief conversation. Drunk people did not know how to let something go; and Kaina simply could not discuss anything that revolved around the fact she was from another planet.

Realizing she did not have the privilege of being cryptic about why she didn't want to attend the wedding, Kaina forced herself to smile. "I could do that."

"Oh, terrific! Here, I'll show you what you'll be wearing that night." Lena struggled to her feet and Kaina helped her stumble down the hallway and into a bedroom. She went to her closet and pulled out a box, from which she retrieved a dark blue gown with a hemline that dragged on the floor. It didn't have sleeves, only featuring straps that would fall down over her upper arms. And it was backless.

Kaina felt a rush of fear that left her dizzy. "Uh, would I have to wear this one? I'm modest."

"I'm afraid so. Everyone will be wearing blue; I bought this dress with the wedding in mind."

Kaina blanched. "I'd really rather not; see, I have this…big ugly rash on my back."

Lena sighed and began folding the dress. "I suppose I could return it."

"Or you could just go to the wedding."

Lena placed the dress inside the box and looked up at her. "So you would be willing to stay here and break up with my boyfriend?"

Kaina paused, feeling her heart skip a beat. She had never even been flirted with; how could she end a relationship?

Lena nodded, observing her reticence. "So I'll return it?"

"Yeah," Kaina said quickly.

Lena put the lid on the box. "Fine. You know, this celebration is completely unnecessary. He only asked her to marry him for attention; he hasn't made an announcement for a year. Of course, she's only going through with it to become a princess. She's so greedy! It's not enough she's beautiful?"

Kaina's brows rose at the unexpected comment. She watched Lena put the box away while she worked to collect her thoughts; finally saying, "You know, I think you have more in common than you think."

"Yeah, right. How would you know?"

"Well…I know you both used a guy for fame."

"That is so not true!"

"Well, she's only marrying this prince to become a princess, right?"

"Yeah."

"And you just flirted with Jarrod to become an actress."

Lena opened her mouth to argue some more, but could only close it again silently. Then she slowly nodded. "Maybe you're right. Ugh, maybe I'm just like her." She shuddered in distaste.

Kaina stood still, wishing fervently again that she and her own cousin had fewer differences.

"Well, good. Thank you for saving me from going to her stupid wedding." Lena plopped drunkenly onto the foot of her bed. "I think I'm gonna lay down."

Kaina's thoughts tumbled. "Will you still remember me in the morning?"

"Oh, uh, good thinking." Lena looked around, snatching a felt marker from her bedside table and writing sloppily on her arm. "Twin visiting," she murmured as she scribbled on herself. "There," she exclaimed, throwing the marker. Kaina watched her lay down and struggle to turn off the lights - and felt her demons within.

She hastily left the room and retreated to the couch, where she struggled to keep her madness at bay.