Chapter 296
KESTER.
17 YEARS AGO.
It’d been four days since my sad, lonely birthday, and Mum and Dad had not been home yet.
No calls. No texts. Not even a note.
Caroline came to tell me two days after my parents didn’t show up at home for my birthday that they had traveled for a business meeting.
I nodded then as if I believed her.
But I didn’t.
I may be eleven, but I’m not stupid.
Mum was probably with one of the men Dad always yelled about, and Dad was probably with one of the women Mum said nasty things about when she thought I was asleep.
The card I made for them was still sitting on the hallway table. I drew stars on it. And a crown. I wrote “I love you with a blue marker.
I thought maybe they’d see it when they came back.
But they didn’t.
Outside school this morning, I watched Mrs. Freya hug Norlan.
She kissed his head and said, “Be safe and eat your snacks, okay?” She kept looking at him with so much tenderness in her eyes, like he was the only thing that mattered in the whole world.
He laughed and hugged her back. His smile looked so easy. Like breathing. “Thanks, Mum.”
It seemed a bit too strange to me. Can’t recall when last I smiled that way.
Then she said, “Remember all we studied last night. You’ve got to win this, baby. Your dad would be proud.”
I blinked. They had studied together for the upcoming interschool quiz competition? Great.
I studied too. But I did it alone. At the dinning. I was tired of locking myself up alone in my room. Caroline brought me tea, but she didn’t stay.
And it was okay. I discovered that I study better when alone.
I even combed my hair three times this morning. Made sure it was neat. Wore the shirt I ironed by myself. they’d be happy with me. Maybe they’d say something nice to me.
e if I won today,
“You, too, Kester. Be good,” She smiled at me, offering what little warmth she could spare, before walking back to her car.
I and Norlan went into the school, ready to smash the completion.
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Chapter 296.
And we did!
It was a huge success!
The Ashmoor Crescent Academy beat the Vermillion Crimson Institute!
I was the team leader. I stood on the stage. My heart was going fast, and my hands were all sweaty, but I did it. I beat June Mellors, that spoiled brat from Crimson Valley. Her face when she lost–it made me feel… I don’t know. Good?
She looked sad. Like me on my birthday.
Maybe I liked that.
Maybe I don’t want to be the only one who feels like this!
Norlan beat Nagel Vale from the Shadow Valley pack.
Nagel was always picking on kids from our pack near the gate. Not me, though. He doesn’t look at me funny. Maybe he’s scared of my eyes. Or maybe he just knows there’s no point.
Seeing the shame on their faces felt so good as everyone cheered with us.
Our teachers were proud. Mr. Hill clapped me on the back. Said, “Good job, son. I’m proud of you.”
I couldn’t wait to get home.
I kept looking at the award in my hand like it was some kind of magic key.
I was eager to call Mum and Dad and tell them about my competition. They should be proud of me. I got an award, too!
I barely heard Norlan talking beside me as we neared the gate. My legs were already twitching to run ahead.
“You should look for her,” he was saying. “Make her your friend. She seems nice.”
I blinked. “Huh?”
“The little girl. The one you saw through the window on your birthday.”
Oh. Her.
I had told him about her.
Although I didn’t tell him what I was doing when I saw her, I only told him all the nice things she said to me and how happy I felt.
“She seemed really happy to see me,” I said, feeling the flutter again in my chest. “I… I felt happy, too.”
“Well,” Norlan shrugged. “Try talking to her next time.”
“Uhm… I’ll try. I don’t know… She’s quite younger than me. Won’t it feel… Awkward?” I asked, crinkling my nose, and Norlan laughed.
“Of course not. Making friends who are younger than you doesn’t matter. All that matters is that you both like each other and enjoy each other’s company.”
I nodded slowly.
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Chapter 296
Maybe I would,
But first–1 had to tell Mum and Dad,
I said goodbye to Norlan and ran straight into the house. Didn’t ever take off my shoes.
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