When Ariana Anderson and Danielle Camden first meetin the ninth-grade English class at an elite girls' school just outside Richmond, they soon discover that they have a great deal in common. Not only are they both only children, but they also like the same books and music, and they look enough a like to be sisters. And at the school, they are both outcasts: Danielle because she is an interloper, the new girl coming in at the middle of the term; Ariana because of her family. None of the other girls will allow either of them a chance to become part of the crowd, so they cling together and declare that they will be best friends and sisters for life. But ten years later, when Ariana's parents are murdered in what appears to be ahome invasion, their friendship takes on a new dimension. Grieving the loss of her family, Ariana is nearly successful in a suicide attempt, leaving Danielle determined to find the people responsible for turning her friend's life upside down. The opportunity to investigate suddenly presents itself when two employees of Ariana's prime suspect in the case, her Uncle Nick, mistake Danielle for Ariana. Nick hasn't seen Ariana since she was a toddler, because her father had broken all ties with the family and had even changed his last name to prevent his being associated with the family business. Despite this perfect opportunity to investigate, Danielle begins to regret that she didn't correct the mistaken identity, when the two men insist that she accompany them to Nick D'Andrea's estate for 'her protection.' Danielle begins to question her judgment still further when she realizes that not only has her rash action put her life in jeopardy but she also finds herself actually liking Nick D'Andrea in spite of all the stories that she has heard about him over the years. But for her friend's sake, Danielle maintains her impersonation of Ariana, even through the funerals of Ariana's parents. To further complicate matters, Nick assigns one of his men, Joshu