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“Sorry, Grace, but Dad and Mom just worry about me. Even though Kevin cto visitbut not you, it doesn’t
mean that he doesn’t care about you. We all do, really. Maybe next time, | can get them to your parent-teacher
conference?”
Ashley’s apology coff more like a brag. In my previous life, her attitude would've tickedoff. But now? |
was as cool as a cucumber.
“No need. This is my last one.”
My brother butted in, “Who do you think you are, giving us that attitude? Have you ever wondered why our folks
would rather go to Ashley’s conference than yours? It’s because you're always so mean to her!”
My mom's face went white as a sheet.
Ashley started bawling, “I didn’t mean to upset you, Grace. I'll leave, and you won't have to seeagain. You
can have Mom and Dad all to yourself. | won't be in the way.”
She rushed over and grabbed my arm, beggingnot to be mad. | tried to pull away, but she held on tight.
Then, out of the blue, she used my hand to push herself away.
Ashley's face went ghostly pale as she hit the couch, called out for Mom twice, and then passed out. My dad
scooped her up onto the couch and told my mom to call an ambulance.
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My mom was dialing, tears streaming down her face. She muttered, “We were all so happy at dinner. Why did
everything fall apart as soon as we got home?”
My brother was furious, ready to throw a stool at me.
But | wasn’t scared. | was ice cold as | said, “Didn't Ashley say she wanted my room for a study? You've already
got the plans ready and just haven't talked toyet. Well, I'll make the call. I'll stay on campus for the rest of
my senior year. If she wants my room, she can have it. Are we all happy now?”
My brother's hand froze mid-air.
My mom was crying her eyes out, begging my dad to say something, anything.
But my dad just raised his hand, pointed to the door, and said, “Go. If you walk out that door, don’t ever come
back.”
My dad was trying to makeback down, but this time, | wasn’t budging.
My mom tried to talkout of it
But then the ambulance arrived, and they all rushed off to the hospital.
| packed up my stuff, the essentials, and my books. | tossed them in a suitcase and rolled it out of there. | was
leaving the only hI'd ever known.
Senior year was a grind.
| told the headteacher | needed to board because of my studies.
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Without Ashley around, | was actually happy, finally able to focus on my studies.
In the middle of the term, they decided to put all the top students in one class. A week later, my mom showed up
at school.
This was the first tin my two lives she’d cto school for
me.
She saw me, and her eyes lit up with joy. “Grace, you must be working so hard. You've lost weight.” Her eyes
welled up with tears.
| looked at her, cold as ice. “What brings you here?”
She fidgeted, trying to smile, “It’s not class tyet. Can you have lunch with me?”
| didn’t want to, but | went with her to the cafeteria anyway. | wondered why she was here.
Was it because | was doing better now, so they didn’t hateas much? That was what | was thinking as |
walked into the cafeteria.
As soon as we got there, my mom waved excitedly. “Ashley!”
Hearing her nwas like a bucket of ice water on my head. | felt numb all over. “Mom, Grace,” Ashley greeted,
holding a bottle of sugar coke and a plate of onion rings.
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They hugged, happy as a picture-perfect family, then sat down right across from me. Ashley was all over my
mom, snuggling up and acting all cute.
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My mom put the food in front of me. “Grace, eat up. Ashley bought this for you. She stood in line early just to get
it for you.”
| wasn’t in the mood for their little show. “Just tellwhy you're here. | know it’s not to share a meal.”
Ashley looked all sad and pulled away. “Mom, | have to get to class. I'll leave, Grace. Don’t be mad, I'll go.”
Before my mom could say anything, Ashley was gone.
“You always ruin everything,” Mom scolded. But | wasn’t buying it. They were the ones having a good time, not
me.
| wasn’t happy about this at all.
The bell rang for class, and | got up to leave. “I'm going to class.” Mom tried to stopand said after a pause,
“Why don’t you cback home?”
Her words hitlike a jolt. | was at a loss for what to say.
Then she added, “Ashley wants to get into the advanced class. Help her out, would you? It's good to look out for
each other.”
Ashley, Ashley, it was always about Ashley.
She ctowith a clear goal to get Ashley into the advanced class.
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