Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

The next morning, I got up and slung my backpack over my shoulder, ready to leave.

My parents usually slept in and never made breakfast. I always ate at a breakfast stall on the way to school. However, today was different. Instead of being holed up in their room, they were sitting at the table, eating breakfast.

Oatmeal, vegetables, and hard-boiled eggs. They had actually made it themselves. They looked like they had been eating for a while, but no one had called me.

The three of them sat at the table, chatting about their plans for the day, while I felt like an outsider, completely unaware that they had made breakfast.

"Julissa, why did you get up so late? Come and have breakfast," my mom said with an awkward smile.

I looked at the three sets of chopsticks and bowls on the table, unsure where I was supposed to sit.

"Oh, Julissa, let me get you a bowl of oatmeal. I was in such a rush yesterday that I didn't get to greet you properly," Lauren said. Despite her words, she didn't move an inch from her seat.

Her sudden enthusiasm left me feeling bewildered.

"No, thanks... I don't like oatmeal."

My parents gave me a reproachful look, as if blaming me for rejecting her kindness. But I had never liked oatmeal, and they knew that.

I felt a tightness in my chest, and I didn't want to stay at home any longer. I turned to leave, but my dad called me back.

"You're not going to school today. Your mom and I are going to handle your transfer paperwork. From now on, you'll be attending Silverleaf High School."

I stared at him in disbelief.

I had always done well in school. When I took the entrance exam, Silverleaf High School had offered me a place, even willing to waive my tuition fees, but my parents had refused. They had reassured me that I should attend the best high school, not worry about scholarships or fees.

Now I was attending the top-ranked Angelwood High School, the best high school. Why were they suddenly transferring me?

"Why?"

My mom awkwardly took my hand and gently tried to soothe me.

"We asked around, and only Silverleaf High School is willing to take Lauren. But you need to transfer with her."

"Dad, Mom, is she your illegitimate daughter or something? I'm in my senior year, and you're making me transfer now?"

I let out a bitter laugh, feeling my anger rise. My dad cut off my rebellious words with a slap. This was the second time he had hit me since Lauren came into our lives.

No matter how much I didn't want to, it was a done deal. My parents insisted that my grades were good enough that it wouldn't matter which school I attended.

Clint called me, asking why I hadn't gone to school that day.

He met me at a café near the school and reached out to feel my forehead.

"You don't seem sick. Are you just exhausted lately?"

Tears sprang to my eyes almost instantly. I tried to calm myself and told him about Lauren.

His eyes filled with worry. I thought he was worried about me, but I didn't realize that this moment would be the start of his connection with Lauren.

"Mr. and Mrs. Stewart are being unreasonable. How can they make you transfer schools for an outsider?"

Clint was indignant and wanted to confront my parents.

"Forget it. They've already completed the paperwork. What good would it do to go now?"

Clint wasn't actually going to confront my parents. In the end, he promised me that he would find a way to get back at them.