The student news site of Bellaire High School

Three Penny Press
The student news site of Bellaire High School

Three Penny Press
The student news site of Bellaire High School

Three Penny Press
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Intertwined

Twins sharing more than just DNA
Alav Madani, Reporter • Feb 3, 2026
Provided by Jane Apple
Fraternal twins Ellie Apple and Jane Apple blow the candles out on the cake together. They were celebrating their second birthday.

“I was born with a built-in best friend.”

The phrase surfaced in multiple variations during interviews, but its meaning shifted with each pair of twins. Some twins see their bond as a blessing they rely on daily. Others count down the days until graduation, eager to discover who they are on their own. Together, their stories reveal what it’s really like to grow up sharing more than a birthday.

Now there are more twins than ever – the twin birth rate shot up 76% from 1980-2009. One in every 30 babies born in the United States during that period was a twin, explaining why there are more than 13 pairs of twins among the sophomore class (birth years 2009-2010) alone.

The rise, catalyzed by increased use of fertility drugs and IVF, mostly occurred among fraternal twins – when two separate eggs fertilized by the same sperm during the pregnancy lead to genetically different twins. Now, fraternal twins are twice as common than identical twins, a trend that is likely here to stay.

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At the end of the day, it is quite rare to have a partner in crime. Click below to get an insight on the twin experience.

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About the Contributor
Alav Madani
Alav Madani, Reporter
Alav Madani is a sophomore and first-year reporter for TPP. She joined to meet new people along with their talents and dive deeper into the world of journalism and writing. In addition to debate and piano, she enjoys spending her free time hanging out with friends, keeping up with Real Madrid, and playing soccer.
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