~Rylee~What is wrong with the Adams family? I thought it was a harmonious family. In his speeches at school functions, Mr. Adams often expressed his pride in his family. He seemed to love his wife and children very much. However, what I heard and saw a while ago contradicted the image that Mr. Adams had built up. What was going on? Why was Collin so unhappy when I spoke with his father?When I got home, I saw Dad fixing the car. I went over to see what he was doing."What are you fixing?" I asked, which startled Dad into dropping the screwdriver. Then I said, "Sorry."Dad sighed, bent down, and picked up the screwdriver. "I didn't see you coming," he said."Because you were too focused on your car," I replied.Dad moistened his lips and shrugged. "There's a little problem with the engine." I applauded him for trying his best, even though I knew Dad was no expert on car engines. Eventually, though, he called his regular mechanic. "Hey, how was your practice?" Dad asked."Good," I rep
~Rosemary~It was my first day at school. It was so annoying when all the eyes were on me. They were like looking at a very disgusting turd."Useless piece of rubbish!" "Watch your language, or you'll be expelled from this school completely!" Rylee smothered my mouth and then pulled me away from the corridor."Let go of me!" I yanked at Rylee's hand and took a step back. "Don't you see how these people are looking at me? They're looking at me like I'm a disgusting piece of sh*t," I said."They're scared of you." Rylee was still searching for justification, but...Okay, I didn't know I would shift and didn't notice. I felt my emotions running high, and what I did to Sonya was spontaneous. I was defending myself."Come on!" Rylee gestured with his head, inviting me into the class. "I won't let you off my watch this time. I won't let you mess up again," he continued, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.I didn't like being tied down, but Dad had said he would remove me from this school
~Rose~I didn't understand what Mr. Adams meant to say. Is he making me an offer? What does he want? Was there something wrong?"What do you mean, sir?" Rylee expressed my curiosity.Mr. Adams laughed. I didn't know which part was funny—Rylee's question or our curiosity. After that, Mr. Adams sighed and pushed a folder before me."You can see for yourself. You only have one more chance, Rosemary. One more infraction, and you will be expelled from this school." Mr. Adams' eyes were fixed on me.This sentence pierced my heart. I unconsciously grabbed Rylee's hand.I couldn't allow myself to be expelled, as I had promised him. "He" had helped me with so many things, and he only asked one thing of me: that I stay in this school. However, Sonya and her slaves became a complex problem for me to control. They always put me in a difficult situation.Mr. Adams' offer sounded very convincing. I didn't know what he offered, but I thought it would keep me safe."What should I do, sir? I hope it's
~Rose~The training lasted for two weeks, three times a week. My skills had yet to progress significantly, but I had learned many new techniques. Mr. Adams and his assistant have been patient with me. My shots still miss the target a lot. But at least they are better than when I first arrived.Dad taught me the basics of archery, while Mr. Adams taught me professional techniques. I thought doing what I loved would be easy, but I was wrong. Despite Mr. Adams' theories, I needed to catch up on many shots. Wind direction, aiming angle, and strength of the pull determined the shot's accuracy. "You have fifteen minutes to rest," Mr. Adams said."I have to go to the bathroom," I told him.Because of our frequent interactions, I no longer felt awkward talking to Mr. Adams. Also, Mr. Adams was very humble. We were like friends. I liked Mr. Adams.The bathroom was quite far from the field where we practiced. I wonder if this whole place belongs to Mr. Adams. I saw no significant activity in t
~Rose~I really can't think of anything. Collin could have reported me to Mr. Adams if I had overheard their conversation. Collin clearly had his eyes on me with a lock of his eyes. If he really wanted me out of there, he could have complained to Mr. Adams to let him know I was eavesdropping, but he didn't."What does he want?" I muttered."What?" Rylee turned to me. And it was then that I realised I was verbalising my thoughts."Nothing," I replied, not wanting Rylee to get involved in my problems."After school, I have to go see Mr. Alfred. You can come with me.""No! I'm going to the library. I need some references for my biology assignment." I said that as an excuse. I wanted to be free of Rylee; that was the point.Rylee looked at me for a moment. He seemed to be thinking about something. I think he was trying to convince himself that I wasn't making excuses to avoid him. But it wasn't long before he said, "Okay." I was relieved that Rylee wasn't asking me too many questions. Ho
~Rose~I looked Sonya straight in the eye and heard whispers from all around."We all know you started it. You tripped me. And what I did was only self-defense." I looked right and left at my classmates, who were whispering to each other with their eyes fixed on me. "You must have heard it as well, right? The cafeteria's security camera recorded the actual incident.""You're the one who broke my hand, Rosemary Cassilas!" Sonya said in a hissing voice."That was just self-defense. But if you want me to apologize, okay. I apologize for breaking your hand," I said without taking my eyes off her.The corners of Sonya's lips turned up. She didn't understand the meaning of sarcasm. "That's good! That's what you should have done," Sonya said.Sonya was stupid. She was just lucky to have been born into a wealthy family."Well, if you have nothing else to say to me, I'm going to excuse myself," I said as I swung my legs around.I walked past Sonya. When I reached her side, I paused and whispe
~Rose~"Hello, Rosemary." Collin greeted me with a big smile.I took a deep breath and closed the book I was reading. I lazily raised my eyes to Collin and asked, "What do you want?"Collin laughed, saying, "You're so wild, like a dog barking. You know what? It doesn't scare me at all. It's just adorable."Damn it! Collin compared me to a dog. But I must not let it affect me. I whispered to myself, "Stay calm, Rose! His words won't bring you down!"Then I asked him, "What are you doing here? The high school building is over there." I pointed to the high school building.This foundation houses education from elementary to high school, each with its own building. Collin is a senior. He shouldn't be here."I didn't lose my card." He smiled so broadly that the corners of his eyes crinkled. "But I came here specifically to meet you," he said.I saw Collin's friends smiling. It was like they were mocking me. They must have known Collin's purpose, and I was sure it wasn't good for me."If yo
~Victoria~I squirmed as the light fell on my face. I hadn’t slept this well for the last five months. To be precise, since that horrible night in my life, the night my parents were killed in a tragic robbery, nightmares have haunted me every single night. I woke up gasping for breath and sweating all over my body. However, my sleep this time felt so different. The fragrance that wafted in made me even lazier to open my eyes. It reminded me of the sandalwood-scented room I missed so much.My eyes quickly opened as I felt something strange. My gaze was directed towards the thick blanket I held—a soft purple. And I realized all of this was wrong. So, I immediately got up and turned my head around.“Where is it?” I muttered while wandering my gaze.A spacious room with a comfy bed and soft bed sheets. There was no creaking in the bed. There were no porous wooden cabinets. This was not my bedroom. This room was even fancier than the one in my parents’ house.But how did I end up in this pl