Invisible Sister

Mr. Perkins assigns Cleo a challenging science project: identify a mystery substance and transform it into its crystal state. Cleo dives into the work at home, pouring focus and curiosity into every detail. This assignment sets up the tension between Cleo's quiet brilliance and Molly's popularity at school.

Cleo begins work on the experiment at home, carefully recording observations and adjusting her procedure. A moth flits past during a late-night setback, pulling her attention away from the lab bench. The incident foreshadows a turning point that will alter both sisters' lives.

A spill of unknown chemicals creates steam that makes the moth momentarily invisible as Cleo struggles to maintain control of the experiment. She spends the rest of the night chasing a ghostly insect through a crowded house. The moth's fate becomes the catalyst for Molly's sudden invisibility.

The moth is drawn to a light in the bathroom and is killed by the light, then falls into a cup of water containing Molly's antacid. Molly swallows the moth unknowingly, and the next morning she cannot be seen. Cleo reveals what happened, triggering shock and a new scramble to protect Molly's secret.

To keep Molly in the game for the lacrosse opener, she wears a Halloween costume to stay hidden. The plan nearly works until the costume itself becomes invisible, threatening Molly's visibility to coaches and teammates. The clock is ticking toward the big game.

Cleo steps up by wearing Molly's outfit and pretending to be her sister so Molly can compete. The switch buys time and shifts the burden of attention, with Molly navigating social dynamics behind the scenes. Cleo's own talents start to shine under the pressure.

To reverse the invisibility, Cleo uses a microscope from the science room to examine Molly's cells and figure out how to turn visibility back on. She plans to reproduce the exact results of her earlier experiment to craft an antidote. The clock is running as they balance science with social commitments.

Meanwhile, Molly uses the distraction of Cleo's work to try to secure a date by posing as her sister, overhearing Cleo talk with George about the plan. George learns about Molly's invisibility, and Coug grows uneasy as she avoids him in the midst of everything. The social stakes rise alongside the scientific challenge.

As Cleo's lacrosse game begins, her rough start evolves into confidence with Molly cheering from the sidelines. The sisters' teamwork under pressure fuels both the team's fight for a win and Cleo's belief in her own abilities. The crowd's energy mirrors the stakes of their mission.

They plan to reproduce the exact results of the earlier experiment twenty-four hours after Molly first swallowed the moth, crafting an antidote under tight time constraints. They coordinate the test at the school science room while keeping Molly's secret sealed from prying eyes. The mission intensifies as midnight approaches.

The team goes to a cemetery to collect another moth as part of the replication plan. In a moment of honesty, Cleo tells Molly she admires her 'light' even as Cleo feels invisible herself; Molly explains brightness comes from shared talents and care. The sisters' bond deepens as they face the truth together.

Back at a barn near Romp the Swamp for the Halloween party, they push ahead with the antidote as time runs out. Molly has already consumed some antacid earlier, so Cleo adds the same ingredient to the antidote to adjust the formula. Just as the clock nears midnight, Molly's invisibility breaks and she becomes visible again.

With Molly visible again and the science clear, Cleo earns a chance to present her findings at a professional seminar. Mr. Perkins supports the recognition, inviting Cleo to share the discovery with the New Orleans Association of Applied Scientists. The story ends on a note that visibility comes from combining intellect with empathy.