18
The college entrance exams arrived as
scheduled.
Before leaving school, my parents didn’t ask
where I was staying. I didn’t want to go back
to the Smith house anyway.
After the reporting incident, I had completely
fallen out with my family.
Willow hated me, and my parents naturally
sided with her, ignoring me completely.
Of course, I didn’t care anymore.
When Principal Lewis learned about my
situation, she came to find me.
“My daughter is going to college out of state,
and I’ll be living alone. If you don’t mind, you
can stay with me for a few days.”
I readily agreed.
On the morning of the exam, Principal Lewis
made me breakfast: three churros, arranged
to form the number 100.
She said:
く
She said:
“Rose, I’m waiting for you to get a perfect
score!”
It was childish.
But it filled me with warmth, easing the slight
anxiety in my heart.
Just as I reached the entrance of the exam
hall, I saw my parents dropping Willow off. They were comforting her: “Willow, don’t be afraid, just do your best.”
“Yeah, it’s okay if you don’t do well. Mom
and Dad are here for you, always your
support.”
Willow nodded impatiently.
As I passed them, Mom called out to me:
“Rose, where have you been gallivanting
these past few days? You haven’t come home
“Hotel.”
I didn’t look back and strode towards the
<
exam hall.
I vaguely heard Mom shout:
“Good luck on the exam.”
Probably to Willow.
But I would do my best too.
Because I wasn’t Willow, with loving parents
paving the way for her. I never had a backup
plan.
I could only charge forward.
Even if it meant getting hurt.
Even if it meant being bruised and battered.
