5
416words
Tall and lean,his handsome profile somber,his lashes framing his melancholic eyes,he leaned on the railing,gazing afar.
“Claire,why weren’t you at school?”
In an era of ubiquitous mobile phones,I had none—the Harpers,except Jessica,cut me off from the world.
“I was locked in my room for a few days.”
I casually told the story.
“You’re ruthless even to yourself.Truly just my kind.”
“I chose you first.”
We stood shoulder to shoulder.
The rooftop overlooked red-tiled roofs and lush greenery.
“Do you have the stuff?”Ethan asked.
“Got it.”
I handed him a small camera,hidden among the study materials he gave me.
Ethan scrolled through the photos,without a word.
The images,shot in dim light,showed a Buddha statue,mysterious amulets,an altar…
Before the altar lay scattered nails,hair,and other items,each labeled with a photo of a deceased person.
Men and women,one woman strikingly resembling Ethan strongly.
A tear fell,landing on the railing.
I patted his him ont the shoulder in comfort.
“After years,I finally obtained these photos.It’s up to you now.Don’t let me down.”
Ethan turned,with tears in his eyes,but smiled,gently ruffling my hair.
“Don’t worry.You’re amazing.I’ll step up.”
In my ninth grade,midterms.
Jessica’s grades were mediocre,which made staying at this school for high school her best option.
Before the exam,I went over my notes.
“Claire,you’re so lucky.Your grades are awful,but even with zero,you’ll follow Jessica to high school here.”
“Jessica,your dad’s a philanthropist,right?Tell him to fund poor college kids instead of adopting Claire.”
“Jessica,you’re too kind,tolerating this ungrateful girl.”
Ignoring them,Jessica said,“Don’t talk about Claire like that.She’s my sister.Studying despite failing takes grit.Persistence is victory.Don’t mock her.”
“Jessica,stop joking.Only your family’s wealth saves her.With her grades,she wouldn’t even get into a trade school.”
The midterm was administered across the city,with randomized seating.
Away from Jessica’s sight,I wrote swiftly,answers neat,calculations precise.
After the exam,before the results came out,Jessica begged Mrs.Harper for a trip.
Mrs.Harper,hesitating,discussed with Mr.Harper.
“Honey,Jessie’s been stuck indoors for years.Let her relax a bit.We can bring Claire.”
Mr.Harper refused.“No.It’s chaotic out there.Don’t risk Jessie’s life.”
“Claire’s still untamed after years.Do you think she knows something…that’s why she’s distant?”
Mrs.Harper whispered.
Mr.Harper snapped,“Quiet!Don’t say that at home.She can’t know.She’s just a crude orphan with base instincts.Don’t overthink.”
Despite his refusal,Jessica’s whining persuaded him.He agreed to a vacation on a Pacific island,with me in tow.
The island was small,which required a flight and a ferry.
Jessica,fearing boredom,invited classmates,paying for everything.
Surprisingly,Ethan was among them.
She’d invited him casually,not expecting him to agree.
