I wasn’t sure what his game was. Remembering
his past coldness, I tried to return the books.
Other girls, emboldened, flocked to Ethan’s
desk, asking him questions. He brushed them
off.
Some braver kids approached him cautiously.
“Ethan, is Tiffany your sister?”
<
“Fake,” he replied. He added, “My only real
sister is Ashley Miller.”
I stared. Tiffany started crying again.
Ethan pulled his chair next to mine and opened
one of the books. “Sis, your old school probably
wasn’t as advanced. That’s why you’re
struggling. It’s okay, I’ll help you.”
“I don’t need your help,” I said coldly.
He persisted. When I refused again, he started
explaining the problems anyway, talking to
himself like some kind of math professor.
Surprisingly, his explanations made even the
toughest problems seem simple.
Jake slammed a book on his desk. “Dude, are
you deaf? Ashley said she doesn’t need your
help!”
Ethan didn’t flinch. “Even if she doesn’t want it,
<
I’m still going to help her. I’ll be here for her
until she gets into the college she wants. If you
don’t like it, you can move.”
“Say that again! I dare you!” Jake rolled up his
sleeves.
I grabbed his arm.
Jake frowned. “Don’t tell me you’re actually
going to let this nerd tutor you.”
I didn’t answer, but I picked up one of the
reference books. College was my goal in this
life, and Ethan was a valuable resource.
Ethan’s eyes reddened again. He piled more
books on my desk, covering every subject.
Jake scratched his head. “Fine, I’ll study too. I
want to go to college.”
Ethan scoffed. “You? No way.”
<
“Nerd, you just wait!”
Sarah edged closer, blushing. “Ashley, I’m not
good at math and physics. Can I…join your study sessions?”
To my surprise, Ethan agreed. “Sure, you’re my sister’s friend. You’re welcome to join.”
Sarah practically shrieked with joy. The other kids were green with envy.
After a few days of sulking, Tiffany approached
Ethan, looking pathetic. “What did I do wrong?
Why are you embarrassing me?”
Ethan replied calmly, “I’m not embarrassing
anyone. If you’re embarrassed, that’s your
problem, not mine.”
Tiffany cried again. Later, she tried to get Ethan
to tutor her.
<
10:58
“No time,” he said curtly.
84
Tears welled up. “You have time for Ashley?
Ethan, I’m your sister! We grew up together!
She hasn’t even been here that long. How can
she compare to our bond?”
“She’s my real sister.”
Tiffany was speechless. She started crying
again. “Fine, I’ll tell Mom! I’ll have her come to
school and prove I’m not lying!”
“I’m not lying either. You are fake. Ashley is our
parents‘ real daughter. My real sister.”
Tiffany: “…
Midterms were over, and fall break was just around the corner. The school was holding a
celebratory assembly the night before the
break, and families were invited.
く
Ethan had been tutoring me relentlessly for a
month. Jake, for some reason, had become my
personal assistant, fetching water, food, books,
homework
everything. If I tried to do anything
myself, he’d get annoyed.
Thanks to their help, my grades had
skyrocketed. I was now in the top ten in our
grade, and the top ten students were being
honored at the assembly.
Tiffany, whose grades were nowhere near the
top ten, had signed up for a talent show
performance. She’d called Mom in front of the
whole class, putting the call on speakerphone,
asking for a custom–made costume and
jewelry.
She’d batted her eyelashes. “Mommy, I want a
unique costume, something sparkly, and a
sparkly necklace, okay?”
“Of course, sweetie. I’ll design a special
10:59
84
costume and a diamond necklace just for you.”
Tiffany gasped dramatically. “Won’t that be
expensive? I remember seeing a diamond
necklace at the auction with you, Mom. It was like, seven figures!”
“It’s nothing. Just practice hard and dazzle
everyone.”
“Thank you, Mommy! I will-”
