Stephanie's POV

"GO AWAY!" Josie screamed at me when I tried to check on her. Josie's been a little off lately, she's not acting like her normal sweet, happy self. She's been incredibly closed off and I don't think she's actually had a conversation with anyone for a week now. The only time she comes out of her room is for school, some meals (she takes her food back to her room most of the time though), and when I had to take her to the doctor to see how well her foot was healing. The cast came off a few days ago, and I swear that was the only time I've seen her smile since...I don't even remember when she started acting like this.

As soon as I closed the door to Josie's room, I swear I heard hysterical sobbing and Josie's tiny voice yelling "Why am I like this?"

I looked back at Josie's closed door, wanting to talk to her and make sure she was okay, but I stopped myself. She seemed to need her space, and I respected that.

I sighed and went to the kitchen to make Josie some macaroni and cheese, hoping that would cheer her up a little.

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Josie's POV

"Josie? Can I come in, please?"

Mama was the last person I wanted to see right now. Because in a way, she was the reason this all started. I was starting to feel compared to her, Mama was perfect, beautiful and talented. I wasn't.

She didn't know I felt like this. Nobody did. And I didn't want to tell Mama for a while, I didn't want her to feel bad.

"Josie? Please?"

I sighed. Truth be told, I could use a hug. I could use someone to talk to.

"No."

"I have mac and cheese."

That got my attention. I opened the door and Stephanie was in a pretty dress, holding a steaming hot bowl of macaroni and cheese out. Seeing her dressed up and wearing makeup made me feel worse, in a way.

"Thanks." I said, then I closed the door.

"Listen, Josie, I'm going out for a nice dinner, are you okay home alone?" I nodded and Stephanie gave me a quick hug. "I love you."

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Stephanie's POV

My phone started ringing noisily, and I realized Andrew was calling me.

"Hey, I need to talk to you about Josie."

"So you've been noticing she's been acting a little...weird lately?"

"I think we've all noticed. And she talked to me a few days ago, I think I know why she's been acting up."

"I've been noticing she's been a little happier since she went over to your place. I think it was just what she needed."

Andrew sighed on the other line. "Did you know that Josie sort of feels...compared to you?"

"What?" Now this was news.

"Yeah. She feels like she can never live up to you. And when you went to that dinner a few nights ago...I think seeing you so dressed up made her feel worse about herself."

"Oh my God. I had no idea. I'm going to talk to her." I said. Then I hung up.

I knocked on the door of Josie's room and she immediately opened it.

"Hey, sweetie. What's up?" I asked. Josie shrugged and said, "I was just watching TV."

"Feeling a little better?" I asked. Josie nodded and then after a few seconds, she ran into my arms and burst into tears.

"Mama...I'm so sorry..." Josie said in between tears. Her little sobs broke my heart in two.

"Josie...Josie...Trina, baby. It's okay, I'm not mad at you, you did nothing wrong." I ran my hand through Josie's hair and kissed her head, and Josie visibly calmed down.

"D-did Uncle Andy t-tell?"

"Tell what, baby?"

"About my i-insecurities?" Josie asked. I sighed and decided to tell her the truth.

"Yes, he did. Why didn't you tell me earlier?" I asked. "I could've helped you if I'd known you were feeling this way."

"I'm sorry, Mama, I just didn't want you to feel bad!" Josie yelled, sobbing a bit more.

Josie looked out the window and let go of me, grabbing one of her sweatshirts from her closet. "I have to go, Whizzer invited me over and he's picking me up."

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Josie's POV

I walked into the school auditorium, Whizzer behind me with a massive grin on his face.

"I'm back." I said, earning cheers and applause from my friends.

AN: I've been wanting to write this chapter for a while, and I finally delivered. Hope you enjoyed! Catch ya later!