Emily's highschool

chapter 12

Zoe placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “We can’t control how others will react, but we can control how we feel about our work. We poured our hearts into this story, and that’s what matters most.”

Her words were a reminder that the journey of a writer was not just about the destination but about the experiences and connections we made along the way. I took a deep breath, allowing the weight of my worries to lift, if only for a moment.

As we left the venue, the cool night air enveloped us, and I felt a sense of peace wash over me. We had taken a leap of faith, and it had led us to a place of connection, creativity, and friendship. Together, we would continue to explore the world of storytelling, unearthing new adventures and challenges along the way.

Little did I know that the journey ahead would test our friendship in ways we could never have anticipated, pushing us to confront our fears and discover the true meaning of resilience and support.

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Emily’s step mom (Lilian) walked towards the staircase screaming Emily’s name. “ Would you get down here?”.

Emily rushed down to her stepmom wondering what had happened since She had done all her chores for the day.

“ I need you to reclean this place up totally and make it sparkling, I’m about to have some important guests”. She ordered while Emily nodded her head softly. As she was about to leave to the kitchen her mum stepped in and stopped her from leaving, making lily extremely furious. Seeing both mother and daughter in the house was so annoying to endure, now getting confronted by them felt like too much of confidence which was bringing in disrespect. Lilian smirked and walked towards Emily’s mum “Do you know I have the right to throw you both out this house and make you suffer as well.” She looked into her eyes waiting for a respond but didn’t get any. Emily’s mum knew deep inside of her that she was capable of doing anything but was not willing to see her daughter continued to be used as a made. She sighed heavily while Emily gave her a pleading look not to cause any trouble. Tears filled the brim of her eyes as she watched Emily go into the kitchen. Lilian smiled wickedly giving a smile of winning meanwhile Grace(Emily’s mum) had began to plot her actions within herself. Emily couldn’t help but wonder who the guest might be. She went ahead with the instructions given to her, in no time she was done.

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As the guests came in, they were amazed to see the house sparkling neat. “ Oh wow, your house is beautiful and super clean. You are really doing a great work as a housewife”. One of the guest complimented. Lilian scoffed and spoke proudly,” clean?” She asked sounding irritated, raising up her brows. “ I don’t do the cleaning here. You know my husband doesn’t like me being stressed out so he got me a maid instead”. She said referring to Emily.

The friends smiled and looked at her with so much jealousy and envy In their eyes. “ That’s so sweet of him, I wish my husband could be like that.” Another friend said. The whole clan hosted , laughed and eat while Emily served them to their satisfaction after all she was just introduced to them as a maid. While she was at it, she overheard one of them refer her to her mum has a old hag. “is that old hag still living her?” she questioned. Emily’s heart sank on hearing that but couldn’t do anything as she folded the edge of her cloth. “oh she is still here, and I’m so tired of the presence of she and her daughter.” Lilian said in a sad tone. “I have a suggestion thou, if you don’t mind.” Lilian sat up as she listened to her friend’s idea. It sounded but she feared the consequences and wondered what would happen if the truth got revealed. Her friends assured her to be behind her as they spoke with so much confidence. Lilian took a deep thought and agreed to the plan. Emily on the other hand tried listening t their conversation but was unable to get exclusive details of what they might be planning but she knew herself and her mother weren’t safe. She excused herself and rushed to her mother as she narrated everything that had just happened to her.

Fear rose up within Grace but stood calm as she had always expected such from lilian.

I looked at my mother with so much concern and felt a sting on my chest. Not only was her husband snatched, she also has to face hell from someone that knew nothing. In order to avoid lilian’s trouble, I left my mother’s room hurriedly and dashed into the kitchen while I await their call.

The rest of the evening was filled with a heart filled of worriness and enjoyment for each family. Lilian and her friends gossiped till late in the night before heading back to there various houses.

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Emily couldn't bear the pains after she heard all her step mom said about herself and her mother.

I cleared off the feelings and began to ponder on how my step mum got to have so much friends to such extent. I felt so bad on hearing someone who was meant to be mum lie to her friends so much just to look good. Her words were so hurtful and her mum hear it all. She stood by the kitchen entrance as she said a good night to each one of them with her heart filled with hatred and annoyance towards them.

Immediately Lilian got back, she screamed Emily's name again frightening the poor girl. " Yes ma'am." Emily answered running to her. " Clean up this mess and don't even try to play smart with me. Prepare some juice for my kids and boil some water for me. And......." Lilian paused. "Be fast".