“Mom, didn’t you remember I’m allergic to sugar coke?” I asked, looking straight at my mom.
She hesitated. “I’m sorry. I… Grace, but Ashley is your sister.”
I was confused. “What about my room?”
My mom pursed her lips, trying to make up an excuse. “The study is ready. I will clean up the storage room and you can stay there for the time being.”
My heart sank. “Why did you have to take my room then?” I muttered, trying to shrug off the frustration. “Never mind. I barely made it into the advanced class as it is. I’m no teacher. Sorry, but the class is calling.”
With that, I shook off her hand and bolted out of the school cafeteria.
In my previous life, I tried to impress them with my grades. When I brought home a perfect score, my mom just said, “I know your grades. Are you proud of a one–time thing?”
Ashley scored an 85 and it was like she won the lottery. They even took her to Happy Valley for a blast.
My mom told me, “Grace, you’re afraid of heights. You shouldn’t go with us. Maybe next time we can go to the zoo.”
Later, I, who was scared of heights, climbed to the 49th floor and ended it all.
After that, my mom never came to school for me again.
Ashley’s crush. Liam Farley, also ended up in the advanced class and became my deskmate.
One day in the cafeteria, when Liam and I were eating. Ashley saw us. I could see jealousy in her eyes.
I didn’t feel happy about it. I just felt annoyed and left without finishing my meal.
Time flew, and before I knew it, the SAT was over..
Instead of going home, I worked with Liam at his brother’s gaming studio during the summer.
The day the SAT results came out, the whole studio erupted in cheers for me. In my previous life, I slacked off big time on my homework.
In this life, I studied hard and got into Nydoalind University and Liam got into Northwave University. My parents rang me up, eager to have me back home.
Relatives went wild with congrats over my good news. Mom and Dad were insistent, saying I had to come home for the celebration. After a pause that felt like forever, I finally agreed.
I checked the date on my phone after I hung up.
A chill ran down my neck, giving me the shivers. I held onto my phone for dear life, my jaw clenched. Something happened on the same day in my previous life.
On the phone, Ashley cried, promising to give my parents back if I saved her.
I was desperate for my folks‘ love, and her promise was tempting.
I agreed, but what awaited me were some thugs from school.
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