Wow, I've never read anything like this before. 
 I honestly want to reach through the pages and give both twins a huge hug, and high five. And then reach through the internet and hug the author. 
 Because this book got it. It got what it's like to be a teen, for everyone you meet to feel awkward around you. It got how people value you for the story of struggle you apparently bring, rather than your abilities. In short, it got what my life was like as a teen, and in many ways still is. 
 "Yes," I said, exasperated, "I suppose I would be interested in meeting someone like that." 
 Judith cocked her head to one side and narrowed her eyes at me. 
 "Of course," I added, "I probably wouldn't even ask them about their uncommon struggles, unless they were the ones to bring it up, because they would probably be so sick of talking about it, they would be like, 'Oh please, can we just talk about anything else? I would rather talk about the molecular structure of table salt than talk any more about my uncommon struggles.'" 
 Judith's mouth was open now. And not just a little bit. 
 Clara held her face in her hands. 
 "I mean," I clarified--briefly deluding myself that this was a gesture toward politeness--"that's how I imagine that person would feel. I have no way of actually knowing." 
 I could see what I was doing, how I was trashing this interview, throwing it away and stomping all over it, but I couldn't bring myself to care. I'd had so little hope of really coming for the summer anyway. And now I wasn't sure if I wanted to. If they wanted me this badly, and if the reason they wanted me was not so they could teach me about art but so I could teach others about courage and leadership, then what was the point? 
 All of this, so, so much.