CHAPTER 3
1261 Words
EMILY
I didn’t hear a single word of the lesson. My heart was a drum in my chest, beating too fast as I thought about what happened in class and what was waiting for me tonight.
I stole a glance at Ian. He was completely focused, not distracted at all. I quickly looked away before he could catch me staring at my new enemy.
Through the window, I saw a group of girls staring into our classroom, their eyes glued to him. They were smiling, giggling, and pointing.
“Ewww,” I mumbled under my breath.
A flash of him leaning over my desk hit me, and my heart gave a painful squeeze.
But why was he so rude to me? I asked myself. Is he just a bully? Is he always like this? Or does he hate me because his parents are paying for my school?
Is that even a good reason?
My mind was too full. My hands felt cold and I couldn't keep them still.
Grrrrrrrrrrr!
The bell shook me out of my thoughts.
“Alright class, we’ll continue from where we stopped next time. Please remember to study your poetry for tomorrow,” Mrs. Betsy announced.
Finally, the last class was over. I packed my books into my bag, my movements slow.
I didn’t learn a single thing today, I thought, feeling a wave of sadness. I bent down to pull up my knee-high socks, which had slid down to my ankles.
“Hey girl,” Abby called out.
“Hi,” I responded, my voice flat.
“So, what are you wearing tonight?” she asked.
I shrugged. “Haven’t decided. Probably whatever’s clean. Or something that won’t get me laughed out of the room,” I joked.
I looked up. Abby had her hands pressed to her chest, her face pale like she’d just seen a ghost.
“Nah, I’m joking,” I said quickly.
“Oh, thank goodness!” she breathed out. “I was about to say you’ve had enough on your plate today. You don’t need more trouble at the Whitmore’s.”
I chuckled, trying to act like everything was okay. But it wasn’t.
“I have a dress already,” I stated. “I’ll just put it on and act like my day was perfectly fine.”
“And don’t forget to smile,” Abby added.
“Like this?” I replied, stretching my lips into a huge, fake grin.
“Yeah, something like that!” Abby said.
And we both burst into real laughter, the good kind that made my shoulders feel a little lighter.
IAN
I stood in the driveway, impatient. My driver was taking forever.
“Hi, Ian.”
I looked back. It was Jenna.
“How was class?” she stuttered, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I-I heard about the trouble you had with the new girl.”
I said nothing, just stared at her.
“Uhm, your mom told me about the Aurelia gala. She said I should come, that you’ll be there,” she said, smiling hopefully.
I kept staring, not saying a word.
“Eh— w-would you??” she asked again.
“Nope,” I finally answered.
“Oh, really?” A faint, relieved smile appeared on her lips. “Th-thank goodness. I wasn’t really interested either, you know?”
“You serious?” I said, my voice flat.
“Yes! I mean, who wants to put on those old ball gowns and listen to boring political talks? It’s like playing dress-up, waiting for a prince in shining armor. Nah, I was never interested in that,” she said, putting on an irritated tone.
“Okay, then,” I replied with a half-smile. “I think I’m interested now.”
She stood there, her mouth open in shock, completely speechless.
Just then, my car pulled up. I got in without another look.
Jenna had always wanted to be more than friends, ever since we were kids. Our families were close, especially my mom and hers, always going shopping together, but I never gave Jenna a chance. Not even for a minute.
“Stupid,” I thought out loud.
I got home. With so many cars in the driveway, I knew only my mom was home.
“Darling, you’re home!” Mom called out. She was busy, directing the maids around. The dining table was covered with all kinds of food.
I tried to remember if we had a special event today.
“Hi, Mom. What’s going on?”
“Oh, Miss Gina, please fill the plates and put the chocolate soufflé in the fridge,” she called to one of the maids. Then she turned to me, her voice bright and happy. “Oh, we’re having Miss Emily over for dinner tonight.”
The room seemed to tilt a little.
“Oh, please. And no one thought to tell me?” I complained.
“Save it, young man. How could I tell you when you stormed out of the dining hall this morning?” she snapped, her hands on her hips.
I had nothing to say to that.
“Go upstairs, darling. Freshen up. And don’t even think about doing anything stupid while she’s here,” she warned.
“I’m not promising you that,” I replied as I walked up the stairs.
---
EMILY
It was exactly 8 p.m. A car had been sent to pick me up.
“You look amazing,” my twelve-year-old brother, Jeremy, said, standing at my door.
I smiled at him. “Of course I do, Jemmy.”
He rolled his eyes and started to walk away.
“Come on, aren’t you going to see me off?” I teased him, knowing how much he hates the nickname “Jemmy.” That’s what brothers and sisters are for.
I stood in front of the mirror and adjusted my blush-pink gown. It stopped right above my knees. The fabric was light and soft against my skin. The simple jewelry I wore matched the dress, and I’d left my hair down over my shoulders. My hair is the one thing I’m proud of.
Thanks to my mom. My meth-addict mom.
I didn’t like that I was starting to look like her. For a long time, I hated myself for it. But there was nothing I could do.
I pushed the thoughts away.
I put on some lip gloss, grabbed my bag, and called out, “I’ll be back soon, Grandma!”
“Send my regards. And please, don’t stay out too late, Emily,” she replied. She was standing in the kitchen doorway, her hands on her hips, smiling.
“Okay, Granny.”
“I’m so proud of you,” she added, her eyes looking a little wet, her wrinkled face full of emotion.
“Thank you, Grandma,” I said, my own throat feeling tight.
Looking at her made me feel so many things. I remembered how she took my brother and me in after our mom got sick. She was diagnosed with stage two liver failure. It all happened so fast.
And now, here I am, at my dream academy. A dream come true.
I gave her a huge hug, holding her thin frame carefully.
Then I hopped into the car.
“Good evening, Miss Emily,” the driver greeted me.
“Hello, sir,” I replied.
“Okay, Miss. We will begin our journey now,” he said with a kind smile.
Now let’s see how this day is going to end.
- Writer
