What's Behind Friendship?

Chapter 1 Annie had just returned from the entrance examination she had gone to write. As she reached the door, she entered the passcode into the digital door lock, and it clicked open. She stepped inside, letting out a quiet breath. In the dining area, Rose and Cherry were already setting their meals on the table, preparing for lunch. Rose looked up and caught sight of Annie the moment she walked in. “Hey Sweetie, you’re back” she said as she was busy adjusting some plates on the dining table with Cherry who was also helping her. “Yeah” Annie replied as she tossed her backpack onto the couch and dropped down beside it, letting out a small breath. “So how was it?” Rose asked without facing Annie. “Fair,” Annie said tiredly. “That doesn’t sound good,” Cherry said as she drew one of the dining chairs and sat. “But l know she's gonna do great. She’s a genius.” she added. “Thanks” she said casually as she rose to her feet and made her way to the dining table. Cherry glanced at her with a firm expression. “I didn’t say that to compliment you” she said in a serious tone. “Whatever,” Annie muttered, rolling her eyes as she sat opposite Cherry. She leaned back slightly, “I’d definitely get into that damn school, but I don’t get why Dad wants me in that school and….. what kind of school even sets an entrance exam for transfer students, ehn?” “Well, now you’ve seen one,” Rose said calmly as she stepped up beside Cherry. Your Dad chose that school because it’s one of the best… and don’t forget why you left your previous school, you can’t entirely blame him”. “Duh…. whatever,” Annie replied dismissively. Then, after a brief pause, she looked around. “Anyway, where’s Dad? “He’s upstairs.” Rose answered, raising her voice slightly, “Honey, lunch is ready! Come join us, we’re waiting!”. “Alright, coming!” Robert replied back from upstairs. “Mom, I’m starving “Annie said rubbing her tummy, she took a plate, dished her meal and began eating immediately. Rose furious as she saw Annie already eating, ” You can’t wait for your Dad to join us before you start eating? How many seconds will it take you to wait?” she asked angrily. “Mom I’m famished, you know l didn’t eat anything before l left home this morning” Annie said with a pleading look and continued eating. Robert came out of his room rushing down from the stairs, heading straight for the dining room. “Sorry guys, for keeping you waiting” he said as he pulled out a chair and sat down. His eyes immediately caught the scene before him as Rose was glaring at Annie, who was already eating, completely unbothered. “Honey, let her be,” he said gently, pulling out a chair for Rose beside him. “Have a seat, let’s start eating”. Soon, they all settled and began their meal. “So Annie, how was your exam?” Robert asked, fixing his gaze on her. Annie, however, didn’t look up. “Not bad” she replied with food in her mouth. “That's good,” Robert nodded. “Dad, you know….” Annie began, adjusting herself in her seat before finally looking at him. “I’ve heard a lot of things about that school”. “So” Robert asked sarcastically. “I mean, there are bad stories, bullying students don’t even last a week. Dad, there are so many other schools I could transfer to. Why Diamond High School?” Cherry scoffed, looking at Annie with a grin “Are you scared”? “Cherry, will you shut it?” Annie snapped, shooting her a sharp glare. “The students there and what they’re like are none of your concern,” Robert said firmly. “What matters is your studies. I want you in that school because of its high academic standard. “Then, softening, he glanced at Rose with a warm smile. “Honey, this meal tastes great”. “I’m glad you love it”, Rose replied. She said facing Annie, “Not all the students there would be all bad. Make friends with the nice ones” and continued eating. “How would l know the good nice ones?” Annie asked fixing her gaze at her Mom. “That’s up to you” Cherry replied bluntly without looking at her. Annie annoyingly said “l didn’t ask you to say anything”. Facing her Dad, “ What if l don’t get in?” Annie asked, her tone almost suggesting she might not try. “Then you’ll retake the exam until you pass”, Robert replied sternly. “Come on, Dad,” she pleaded. “I’ve heard enough!” he cuts in firmly. “You know the main reason you’re transferring. If you hadn’t caused trouble in your previous school, you wouldn’t be here. So it serves you right. No more discussion about this, okay?” “Okay”, Annie muttered reluctantly, her face clouded with a frown. Just then, Robert’s phone beeped. He pulled it out, read the message and immediately stood up, drawing everyone’s attention. “Honey, what’s the matter? Rose asked, concerned. “Nothing. I just need to handle something immediately. I have to go back upstairs,” he replied, already leaving. “But you haven’t even eaten much” Rose added, watching him leave. “Don’t worry, I’m fine, honey” he replied has he headed upstairs. “Mom, can’t you talk to Dad to reconsider?” Annie asked. “Reconsider what?” Rose asked. “About…” "Annie!" Rose interrupted firmly, “there’s nothing to reconsider. You’re attending that school and nothing is going to change that,” She stood up. “I’m done. Clear the table and wash the dishes”. “Why me? Cherry is here and she’s the youngest” Annie protested. “Just do what l told you” Rose said as she walked away. Cherry scoffed, “Oh, now I’m the youngest? Yesterday, who was doing the entire house chores without complaining while you sat there playing video games?” She stood up, glaring at Annie. “Now it should be me? Just do your job, lazy ass?” Annie froze, stunned. “What…. What? Are you talking to me?” she shot back angrily. “No, I’m referring to the person behind you,” Cherry said as she walked out of sight. “Did she really just call me a lazy ass?” Annie muttered furiously to herself. “If l get hold of that spoilt brat, she'll regret ever talking to me like that. That dolt!” **** (NEXT DAY) Annie sat in the living room, absorbed in her phone. In the kitchen, Rose was busy preparing a meal while Cherry assisted her. Suddenly, the doorbell rang, its sound echoing through the house. “Annie, Annie! Go check who’s at the door” Rose called from the kitchen. Annie, busy on her cell phone, groaned “Gosh! Why me? I’m busy right now” she muttered to herself as she reluctantly stood up for the door. She returned with an envelope and threw it on the glass table at the center of the living room, returning to her phone. Rose came out of the kitchen with Cherry. “What’s that?” Rose asked, trying to capture the image of what’s on the glass table. “I don’t know, just an envelope” she said, her gaze fixed on her cell phone. “And you can’t check what's in it. I’ll still get hold of that cell phone of yours “she said in a mean tone as she went for the envelope and sat on a couch. Cherry stood with her arms folded, a smile tugging at her lips. “Mom, you know….”. Annie raised her eyebrows, her expression already asking ‘what nonsense is she about to say’ as she continued pressing her cell phone. “It would be so much fun to see Annie get bullied in her new school,” Cherry said, grinning. “Maybe she’ll finally get the same treatment she gave other students in her previous school.” “Cherry, are you really trying to get on my nerves?” Annie snapped, dropping her phone and glaring at her. “What gives you the assurance I’d be bullied, huh?” “Just take a look at yourself,” Cherry replied with a disgusted look. At the mention of the school, I can already see you’re scared.” “Scared? Me?” Annie scoffed. “Little sister, don’t you think you’re jumping to conclusions? What do you even know?” She picked up her phone again and continued pressing it. “A lot. I know more than you do” Cherry shot back. Annie’s tone turned cold. “Do you know what would do you good? If you shut that little mouth of yours…. Or else l might do something you wouldn’t like,” she said in a low threatening voice. “Bullshit! What the hell would you do to me?” Always bluffing,” Cherry replied, still standing firmly with her arms folded. She turned to their mother. “Mom, it would be so good if you could shut this little prick”. Annie said. “Little prick?” Annie echoed with a scoff. “Cherry, that’s enough!”, Rose said firmly, fixing her gaze on her. “She’s your elder sister, show some respect. l remember warning you about cussing”. “I’m sorry, Mom.” Cherry muttered as she sat on the couch, glaring at Annie, who ignored her and returned to her phone. Then Rose checked the envelope in her hand and frowned slightly. “This is from Diamond High School” she announced, drawing both girls' attention. “It must be your result,” she added. “Why do they have to send it through an envelope instead of email?” Annie complained. Rose opened it, pulled out the document, and began reading what was in it. “It says you passed the entrance exam and…” “And?” Cherry asked eagerly. “And you were given a scholarship”. She said, referring to Annie. “What?” Annie exclaimed in shock. “I didn’t even do my best in that exam, and l got a scholarship?” “She finally got in,” Cherry muttered under her breath, nodding. “That’s great,” Rose said, placing the file on the couch beside her. “That means you did well”. “Did I?” Annie asked, still confused. Just then, the sound of the door unlocking echoed through the house. Someone enters the passcode, and the door opened. To be continued.