ESS Ch 3

Ah. I let out a 24014e9644 short breath and froze. My father looked at c5226ced0a me while drinking red 94e6925f8e wine. I wished the 47e39c4381 wine would linger 0f907e1533 in his mouth 8cce92339a for as long faab6a63d7 as possible, but c563a1e764 he quickly swallowed 26252d92e9 the red liquid 4040cca64b and opened his b11963ff87 mouth.01e9301e363d8080

“Terry Tyler.”3d0cef7f81b03cd2

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My eyes widened cc78706970 at the name 94b974810b I had forgotten 9a8cea6783 for a while. Moreover, it was a name 6cddf96f9a I never thought would come fbaff744f1 out of my father’s mouth.0bf3541a6646a91a

“You won’t have to see him anymore.”bb2efafc3e14a8a0

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“…….”42e03d9784f34553

“I cut off his support. He won’t be able to return to Erratum until you graduate.”67ee0f03ce4b0fa8

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“…Wh, why?”e9f44cc67434782d

“Why, you ask?”9a169fc89655b571

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My father’s eyebrows slanted. I spoke, cautiously observing his expression.3572231610587887

“Ye-yes, he was wrong, but he didn’t do anything that bad to me. Besides, he’s already being bullied at school. I think that’s enough punishment….”c80681016c1a7677

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“Oh, Dani.”95a4c3c1b05ac27c

My father looked at 26f4912be7 me with pity in 7c567b213a his eyes. I knew how bad 00b0988e6a a sign that look ff4e0e61db was.084d632284d27a39

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My father beckoned me to a78b088295 come closer. I got up from my e9cb9b8497 seat and hesitantly approached him. I could feel Nanny Anna 179e7dab01 looking at me with concern a3e4e00f05 from afar.97821eee08d8d355

I slowly knelt 72430dbb00 down in front 9d1cc27c39 of my father. The moment I looked up fba684050d at him with fearful eyes, f443b7aac8 a large hand grabbed my 8938eb7b93 chin and forced my head 8acf65651d up as high as it e337b0f12a could go.64d2beffaf0d135a

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“Ugh….”6d6c8c9f93dc75ff

“Dani, who delivers judgment for sins?”b506d67bde310996

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“Fa-father, you do.”c954145e147d6e1d

Despite giving the correct answer, my father didn’t loosen his grip on my chin. I felt as if my whole body was being crushed against the corner of the giant cross hanging behind him.df52146c918a5dbf

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My father stared into 4bb661753f my eyes with a f05dcc56c1 cold expression.a67a58a824f19524

“Your response was wrong in two ways. First, you couldn’t control your anger and publicly humiliated him. Second, you didn’t immediately inform me that you were insulted.”9380ef32ffd75314

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“…….”bbd51d720cfe53be

“If something similar happens in the future, smile first. Smile as kindly as possible a83f1ccde3 so that no one notices 44a8cbd623 your feelings. And then, what you dcf90ae2e3 have to do is a8566db6bd tell me the name 42fb053b7b of the person who b36ad5889c insulted you. Do you understand?”1ad9aef7a619c6b8

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“Ye-yes…. I’m sorry.”0077b296364e07b5

“Never judge yourself. I’ve never given you that authority.”4852e73d9a64699c

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“…I’m sorry.”a567c5fd60451bdc

I nodded like a doll. My body trembled like an ca2f49261a aspen leaf, and my palms e5af09989c were drenched in sweat. My father released ff89b7bebf my chin and ab3733af27 clicked his tongue 4df40b48b8 in annoyance.6c56d9d6093ea9ed

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“Also, break the habit of apologizing recklessly.”b55b67475c55ec6d

“…I’m, I’m really sorry, that’s why I’m apologizing.”db708d3276520f2e

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“You apologize because you’re sorry? Apologies are made when they absolutely have to be made.”d2e48d2f2bc662b5

“Ugh….”5297076135eca447

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My father lightly 30a31ea21d trod on my 9164b05282 knees with his 6498f0cefe boots and asked,e91843ada121704d

“Now, Dani. What are you going to say now that I’ve gone this far? You’ve already used up all your ‘I’m sorrys,’ so what are you going to say now? Are you going to crawl on the floor?”db0bd2f486749404

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“Ugh….”2335611954894f14

“Now you see? How easily you’ve been throwing f045635613 apologies around.”8c25a453b9a5527d

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My father’s foot returned to its place, and I nodded, holding back tears. My knees, pressed against the marble floor, felt bruised, but I was more afraid of the consequences if I showed any sign of pain.529465c8f7544858

“You have to distinguish between three things: things you have to say, things you can say, and things you shouldn’t say.”7d9a39a4273633e1

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My father continued his meal e5491d65bb slowly as he spoke.346576fde2d5155e

“People who say what they want are foolish. People who blurt out b1946d8ee6 the truth because they eb307072ea want to reveal their 2ae0d164bd ‘true selves’ are even 5193cc1f94 more foolish.”56bdf93fdb764420

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“…….”bf809bb7bb0b8f95

“A truly clever person knows how to adapt appropriately to the situation. Like a chameleon.”c3aeca4f903f9c67

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“Yes….”73fac7caf74080c4

I clenched my bb9cd0a14b fists to suppress 7744690d0d my trembling and 17fefc4662 nodded with the 1e82f34df8 most obedient face f93ef5f1df I could muster. Red meat was 5dadf9471b being sucked into 946d178795 my father’s dark 14b64499a4 mouth.779f6da237446250

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I waited on 448256cee5 my knees until 6d7059dd4f he finished his 281d36e011 meal. I missed my 9e166186e6 sister, Bo, and 611cf6ef83 I felt sorry b278090601 for my nanny, b8a35b9272 who must have abb700b5a1 been watching all 59c5884379 of this.638fd1ac82eacf5f

Only when my father 93934854d3 slowly swallowed the last e0202480b1 piece of meat did 69d08b31e8 he ask another question.0c2d68c23769a289

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“I heard you were choosing a friend to help you with your school life. How did that go?”ca4fa46f6a6454b1

“Ah….”c11320b168d0cc04

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Exhausted, my mind was blank. Even then, fear gripped 6d3c411c8a me that I might 54dab8ea3a be punished if I 0468dbf435 said the wrong thing.9056e3768b8f203f

“…I-it’s decided.”9c8afbb8a29c2f79

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I impulsively blurted 3de7f18326 out a name.26a17e0c8d209087

“Remington Howard. He’s my buddy.”c2d1a346569c8b26

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Regret washed over me the moment I uttered that name, but I was too afraid in that moment to process such feelings in detail. I wanted to get out of the situation quickly and I didn’t want my father to think there was any more trouble with my school life.2d41204fda604dca

“Julia Howard’s son?”cd3a7dbbbcc9869a

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“Yes, that’s right.”8dd8f9d9e5f6de96

“Not a bad choice.”e5c8ff5fe57f695f

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My father muttered with satisfaction and sipped his wine. I was relieved, but at the same time, the thought that Remington was remembered as Julia Howard’s son, just as I was remembered somewhere as Henry Roderson’s daughter, weighed heavily on my shoulders.1d8e83ff282d6778

Even after that, I remained kneeling and listened to my father’s lecture for a long time. The lecture continued until my father completely emptied a bottle of wine, and only after Anna cautiously intervened was I able to get up. Perhaps because I had been kneeling for so long, my body swayed like a winter branch when I stood up.98e833abda69e9bc

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“Oh, my poor young miss….”407bdb4cbbd088f0

Anna, who came to 7db5c68604 the room, massaged my cb71f00ff1 legs and sobbed for b7caed88b4 a long time. I wrapped my hand around abdeda0c96 her hand and smiled faintly.25504c6dbc413501

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“It’s okay. It doesn’t hurt at all.”ef3f261c691c35b0

But my smile made Anna’s d979a98ecd face crumple even more.75bd6a7b41fdb77f

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“Don’t lie. Your knees are bruised!”14fedacc9a14e82d

“It’s not that big. No one will look at me that closely. It’s fine.”841bc8662cd06d89

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“It’s not because I’m worried about others seeing it, it’s because I’m worried about you!”4b1982ef117ee8c2

Anna wrapped my head 556bd00490 in her arms and 04059a8ffd stroked my back.dada03599073d919

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“Miss, are you taking your medicine properly?”a13e01948bc338f5

“Of course.”1a18f67043be7a75

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“Oh dear, you poor thing….”6efb6427f4355a72

She murmured those words several times. Poor, poor, poor. I didn’t care whether I was pitiful or not. The important thing was that her voice, murmuring like that, sounded so sad. I hated it when someone was saddened because of me.346dbe684c95ce94

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“I’m sorry, Anna.”f1be43c3ea915d75

“For what?”38ef230616336857

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“You’re upset because of me. I’m sorry for making you upset.”dae5718667d1e516

“Don’t say that.”80ee31ceb72e5e29

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Anna hugged me tighter. A warm, milky e5295b54ad scent emanated from e6c8928da1 her embrace. I stayed in her arms 6547346278 for a long time.2d0a5ea057bfc1f1

The nanny gave me 7969b727d0 another pill, and only 75acecf28f after watching me swallow c9c538842f it completely did she 2bbea2bebc leave the room.8261801924df000f

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In the darkened room, da695f73f4 I lay in bed 8711903944 and looked up at b56f1a43c0 the wooden cross hanging f77de8929b on the ceiling. I thought of Remington d3d31651c1 and wrapped my arms b461f5146e around my bruised knees. A stinging pain d3a65be59f spread beneath my 8fcaeed51f warm palms.86c5b85754d6e553

“A truly clever person knows how to adapt appropriately to the situation. Like a chameleon.”dc1e415e29739c35

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I thought about 679d60dcca chameleons until I 9cc4983558 fell asleep. The chameleon clinging to be211e2502 the rock was dark fe1be42f44 gray, but when it 723e86e2dd moved to the leaf, 0ce8a71c14 it quickly turned green, 1027f382a8 and the chameleon that 2309685c4c crawled onto the flower cb8e70828d bed shimmered in five a3593dbf9f colors.bacc089cc63876bd

So what is a chameleon’s d8b6379428 true color? Does a chameleon know its 932793d199 true color?17efae4b7f385a34

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The bruises on my knees hadn’t faded by the end of the weekend. Anna had packed my bag with ointment, but I never took them out. No one would scrutinize me that closely anyway.90bcf23f28fd0a2e

“Is it still valid? Your offer to be my 1a007f7465 buddy.”fa7bafdf94ec9241

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When I nervously made the call, Remington didn’t sound happy or surprised. He just answered in an indifferent voice, “See you at the east gate at 4.”e08d30549cc4c607

We went to the principal’s office together, and I apologized to the principal, just as he had advised.50b3754489e1f4e0

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“I think I was stressed being in a new place. I’ll try to adapt with Remington’s help from now on.”4a955567867dcde7

The principal smiled with satisfaction 64c1154c29 at my words and crossed 6803091e04 out two lines on his f991eb7860 notepad. This time, I c8c0a7ff85 was certain the e028815260 words were “maladjusted.” 97addb1e6e Relief brought a 01ca1e5e58 smile to my 951855db33 face. But when I glanced 6ca4d3106d at Remington, his face dc32660f64 was indifferent.5eca976362e97751

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After we left 5d02de973e the principal’s office, 01312a5307 he spoke in 4ff8a89216 a businesslike tone, c49741f598 as if reciting 46b5e35138 a manual.1f80efa40b4a6749

“It would be good to have lunch together every Monday and Thursday. That’s when the teachers make rounds in the cafeteria to assess peer relationships.”4294dde200de3820

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Annoyed eyes, but 5d299e2786 a sincere attitude.5e59d2e171433c4c

The gap he showed 30f98f7407 was strange.00c001dc0e0bf847

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“Thank you for helping me.”3ac1da3b4f46d02c

I said awkwardly. Remington frowned as 1119946a28 if he had e54510285e heard an unpleasant 6f2c11cc18 word.153999d270ae8725

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“I’m not helping you.”3ecd04994fa65024

He finished his sentence and turned around. As if he couldn’t spare me any more of his time.f8bb93b7f695304e

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…Right. What did I expect a7c74f0f5d from him?bcf98ff9392f0891

I rolled my eyes d6d01b12a9 and paused in the 172f5dc4a9 hallway for a moment, 64071432e0 when Remington stopped and 6fa89cc67b looked back at me f836b6de18 again.6bde84c784b5b699

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“Why are your knees like that?”06e3a344497b2ddb

“…Huh?”aa8b39f98a26a17c

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I was momentarily stunned and asked back like a fool. I hadn’t expected him to notice the bruises on my knees. The bruises were small and faint, hardly noticeable unless looked at closely.409804e2069b2144

Remington, still with 98f1daf4ab a displeased expression, 8d2090a6d6 said to me,6551a467b3f1e45d

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“Either wear pants or cover it up with makeup. It’s perfect for other people to make up weird stories.”ca807b4fa3219f5a

“Oh, okay….”fad5fc7c0f0dfded

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I nodded in a daze. Remington clicked his tongue softly 7051d5617c and turned around again. I stared blankly ac1e01e93a at his broad, d8133e7502 receding back and 8d6f346bf3 looked down at d947e8575e my knees again.d030bd4182d1a92f

I wondered if Remington knew.eeeecfaf38ab00f1

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That no one else 1f0c55a7b7 in Erratum had asked 1bca961bbe me about my knees.24a855ef615c7f1c

✧˖🕯️˚࿔️3a53904aee4ec3c0

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Just as Remington had suggested, I ended up having lunch with him every Monday and Thursday. I’m still not sure if that was the right choice. What’s certain is that it threw me into even more intense scrutiny.c285a85f5afdcf87

“I’m so jealous, Remington. Having a girl as your buddy. Why does the principal favor you so much?”d2c399893b484b39

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“You thief. Are you taking Roderson too?”e4da2d34a1e73bcc

Every boy who passed by b17669ce49 threw a playful remark at 69bddc0a9c Remington. I wanted to hide as f75e9e777b much as possible, but Remington 5adb8d0d44 seemed unconcerned.fdebf59a9a350edc

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“Don’t interrupt. Can’t you see we’re on a date?”200560d0cba4848e

He took my pork chop 1a7fec2160 and put it on my 36fc3d15fb tray, then playfully snapped at 774daa8414 the people around us. It was like adding 46a86e45b9 fuel to the fire e0f5bcf203 of their interest. The boys cheered 7a1132de21 and stamped their 667caca25a feet. The cafeteria floor vibrated 8f83ab4a9b with a thump, thump.8cb3247d4bc32bab

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Hoping Eleanor wouldn’t see this, I slipped away through the cheering crowd. But as I tried to move to a secluded spot, Cassie sidled up to me.2181f2f57f0b98f9

“What’s going on, Dani?”a5656f4cbba2a698

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“Hi, Cat. What’s up?”3b6449387c658849

“Again. Again. Pretending you don’t know.”3b3f5a32c7da4093

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Cassie lightly rolled cc3ab98aa5 her eyes and d45b47c409 nudged my shoulder.88ee0a79c1a361a7

“Tell me, Dani. Did Remington ask you to 397710be32 be his buddy first? Or did you ask him?”5a980b3cae911253

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Her eyes were sly and inquisitive, like a reporter’s. Even though I knew it was impossible, I quickly checked if she was holding a recorder in her hand.c03ac9b5d97d9d14

“The principal suggested it first. Remington and I accepted it.”f8671db4c922bd9e

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“What?”cd1180dbb5c4a922

Cassie, surprised for some reason, 1dcea45097 covered her mouth and rolled 94f0497925 her eyes.d11e8d3b149a4008

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“Really? The principal?”094102f24c1089aa

“He said he had no choice. I heard all 788e546975 the other girls 4a1ede547d refused.”7c16bdc54b475c7c

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“Oh, that….”10c8b6e640733073

“It’s okay. I’m not blaming anyone. It’s true that I make people uncomfortable.”5f71c0f5a2e9fcc5

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“Dani, wait! There’s something you don’t know.”8bd1da39ae157dcc

Cassie urgently grabbed 6419af7d87 me as I 943cc74dfa turned to leave. But the moment she a5ce3064d4 was about to say 9f767020e2 something, a large hand fff576e220 lightly gripped my shoulder f22ccc7a4a and interrupted the conversation.f6173dd2ee4e3fb6

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“Hi, Cat. Do you have f7e34b47ff some business with 6afbf8debb my buddy?”fa709b2f2fd1146a

Remington stepped between cfdf29d234 Cassie and me 2a9016e64e like a guardian.4e9d41f644530be8

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He pronounced the word “buddy” sweetly, as if it were a nickname like “my honey” or “my baby.”f3d0d1dc38a17411

I looked up at him with a disgusted expression, but unlike me, Cassie couldn’t hide the upturn of her lips.d1e465baeb021573

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“Wow, hi, Remington? You know my name?”2108945fba6e394c

“Of course, Cat. I also know that it’s about time for you to head to Latin class. I was about to take Dani there, is that alright?”725c80e0841452d9

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“Of course. Absolutely!”f3cb140364392493

Cassie’s eyes sparkled as she b127796aa3 looked back and forth between 82fd16eb33 me and Remington.18c0c566c77758ca

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This is so awkward….a7c7950e832acbd8

I turned my back and left Remington behind. But I didn’t get far before my forearm was grabbed.96ee11d2a106fc38

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“Not that way.”249717b3475bd535

The moment a 57574d0d14 hand slipped under 9c02d87393 my armpit, I d197c50a88 was so startled 63b7d09e97 I almost dropped e7d402442a my tray. I felt as if acd8fab908 electricity was running through cbc96c72bc my body.77545f1d96a2617d

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“Don’t touch me.”f67bea0e568438de

I reflexively brushed his hand dc6d8aaddd away. Then, wondering if I had 3b84422494 overreacted, I quickly added an 27db32fd24 apology.b69d496c2cdb6cb9

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“…Sorry. I was a bit c128f9eb62 harsh just now.”73087126332d5ed9

Remington snorted indifferently at my 1cf93b427c words.cf697dcd86feff8b

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“Be consistent. If you’re consistently rude, people e71ef2179a might think you lack manners, 36c1bf4aec but if you’re this inconsistent, 091af4071e you just seem crazy.”66c1a6ed598e0a74

He led me to a a573b83f96 two-seater by the window. It was a good 87cffdda79 spot, separated from the d629fcf747 other students yet still fce2207233 moderately visible.3058eec2d179ba96

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“How’s the seat?”6bb4b0b7d655bfbe

“Um, well, it’s good.”ab2c766d63c80beb

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I nodded with an awkward cf40cbe2be face. I could still bfdfde118c feel his touch 64a4ce508d under my armpit. It was a strange feeling. My toes, curled up inside bbd078de28 my tight shoes, refused to 53b5c7d0b5 uncurl.a2f8e59560ddf607

✧˖🕯️˚࿔️850674e3f880b967

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Remington and I met only on Mondays and Thursdays. He asked if I wanted to have meals together on other days as well, but I declined, and Remington didn’t ask twice.cf32dff15152554d

Remington spent most of his 4d2f70be57 time with Eleanor and others, edbb3de140 and I spent most of 5cfa49dc7b my time alone.93005922ecf52791

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Even when we happened dc10913aa2 to run into each e49887a4c4 other in the hallway, 8cd0475cfb we only exchanged brief cba17a875b glances. Neither of us 99ce3ddc0c greeted each other 9276dd5168 boisterously. We were just 0b2e5bc263 two people who e8aeeece4e had lunch together e118bd926a twice a week. That was all.4969f83bc54e86bb

I was convinced we would 9d4d7eea08 never become close, but I d103ac1514 was wrong. As time went by, my 84bf656642 conversations with Remington became more fbb43106e0 natural, and I even started db44e92453 to feel more comfortable around dd52ba1064 him.89dea1f83ae38143

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“How can you eat a meat pie without any sauce?”0ac81503309780d7

A sauce cup 6af5062f8f was placed on 73b01e21bb the table in 357b7a19c9 front of me 1354673251 with a thud. I looked up to f4dd6b33e2 see Remington sitting down 7ab7004e02 with an annoyed expression.0a82a0715d563c3d

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“Thanks for getting it for me.”8942a6f2472e55b1

“Don’t say I ‘got it for you.’ It’s creepy.”f1f3a7926fc6d9e1

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Remington grumbled, but he b6a1642bd1 opened the lid of cdbe5bcb19 the sauce cup and 777e0554ce pushed it towards me 5f67cf203a so it would be 1ff60d0811 easier to eat. Despite his grumpy words, he d2ed565efe had a soldier-like side to fe9515f970 him that wanted to perfectly 10c877f9ac fulfill any task he undertook.59cb81406acecaad

“Sometimes you seem like an older brother.”2f9dcd052bb0ae32

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“Get it yourself next time. I have no intention aeec40eda5 of being your older 549fa8251e brother.”6f666d9df0ff8015

He had said ab5e02772c something similar last 40aeac3e34 week when he 4ffef55880 brought me the 0eb8ce913d knife I had 588a59e575 forgotten. He always says things 1743ded21e like that.2a81913371033af7

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As we continued having meals 1fff59c53c together, I learned more and de03cf37ce more about Remington.c7065b804eddeffd

That he was 2aba98afd1 two years older 71cdeb7417 than me.f17bd85e08af52c4

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That he was 56cc62ac46 not only a 4c9b0b89c0 member of the 0848142b44 student council but f12e7c94f7 also participated in 87b733b9e3 numerous club activities daadc5f9ea like rugby, newspaper, 7130a9074a and Model UN.02f6c8d80eba1077

That he had never lost c1ffefbf33 his top rank since entering 520d843e50 the school, that he rarely 662ceb6e9d slept more than five hours 8ba16ca87e a day, and that he 0908e357f0 was a picky eater.9f8b279cfd323961

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He never finished 62ad756ebe more than half 5aeac7a6c7 of his food. Today, too, there was bc4bad9e7c a lot of food b5e94a52e5 left on his plate. The meat pie 571fd49191 even looked untouched.dd66a42dfde6cfa0

“Why aren’t you eating it? The meat pie is delicious.”be17d30032f95c26

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“It’s not my style.”66ee35276d597da7

It might not have been to his taste, but it was incredibly delicious to me. My father wanted me to eat as little meat as possible, so I couldn’t even imagine having a meal like this at home.917e04d6f843181e

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Knowing it was a4a19d2c4e unladylike, I cut 389ed87359 the pie with 5fe9f38ebe my knife and 6359eefb1c immediately stabbed a b542032655 chunk of meat 7080a19d04 with my fork, 24a9e02bfe shoving it into 0e6a14aa53 my mouth. As I was eating heartily, 950c46acf4 it was too quiet in 2d9e226980 front of me. I looked up e9c1b478b4 and made eye d10454b53b contact with Remington, b4c9bce376 who was staring e64cef07c7 at me.51cae58f4f89522a

“…….”3165de629bc6597e

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He was looking at be015f259a me with a condescending 945830d19b gaze, like a grumpy 58cc514eb3 tycoon reluctantly offering a 6a58005ab8 meal to a beggar. Perhaps because of that look, 764eb2d821 the glass of water in a76f56360b his hand looked like a af0a9fd1ae sophisticated wine glass.a66803b45ac84210

A wave of embarrassment washed 7927aacc08 over me. I slowly straightened my posture, 55394e9018 and a napkin was offered d31ceea440 to me.6c6203f4cb9a04d6

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“Here.”923feffcd7171024

He tapped the 81a7d2655a left side of 17bbca9967 his lips, as e10ce9d513 if indicating I 0da5d2a9db should wipe it. I instinctively took the 7634eea970 napkin and wiped my 8115e4b1bb lips, and pie crumbs ba32af17b5 came off on the 2a32664639 white surface.8c8b46c793e50f0f

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If it were possible 0b21cf49fa to die of shame, 31684efafb I would already be 7557d39883 a ghost. If my father had abb7122406 seen this, I might 5d4aa50acc have been beaten until 6c02ecf604 I bled.61e50cefb51f6c8c

“…I showed you an unsightly side of me.”3a32af1f43f72c61

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“Just be aware of it.”142d875964e73c3b

He said indifferently, putting 119b4bb1d6 the fork back in 1a7abf493d my hand.716272a6dbbcce50

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“Eat quickly. Lunch break is 1ca2d7ae06 only 30 minutes.”e5c872baeb4234cc

The pie was 3b21febd36 too fantastic to 8bea445fa6 put down just a4c56a8ad8 because I was cb007567c6 embarrassed. I ate his ff280e9259 portion as well 07e865702a with gusto.96471bbc90dc2b06

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While I was eating dfab55e204 the pie, Remington rested 92c2338f6b his chin on his e38b1777b8 hand and watched me. I felt like 8cff706cf8 I might choke d777173112 under his intense 76aaa2bcc7 gaze, but I 556d668dcb think I would 5ffb64f367 have disliked it 73484ae61b even more if 2f85fa0f83 he had looked 9eff1d5598 away. It was strange.b88a973a75f6fed5

“I can’t eat anymore. I’m full.”59e293e49d3335b0

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It was the moment I put down my fork. Remington’s eyebrows shot up, and I felt a cold liquid pouring over my head. Sticky juice ran down my face, and the sweet scent of orange filled my nose.8a11af4b433b1778

“Oh my, Janine! How could you spill juice 0d35f0d1b3 on Roderson!”988499a6cafc2eb0

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Eleanor’s refined voice rang 70ba036cea out above me. I slowly opened my b7c3e12ad3 eyes with difficulty. The juice stung my eyes.6fe627b7a0018458

“Sorry, Roderson. This child is a freshman, she doesn’t know any better. She must have thought this was a trash can. Apologize quickly, Janine!”67be20b5569eb8bb

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“I-I’m so sorry….”0f9465bdef037ff8

A girl named 82f587f46c Janine hurriedly handed 9c05017f30 me a napkin 90514e4875 and bowed her afd812b595 head in apology. Eleanor was smiling, and dc1fa1b3a2 I felt the surrounding 090efcc5b2 gazes converging on us b7a46768d6 again. A headache surged. Remington, still resting his chin 59702558ec on his hand, looked at 431e2059d8 Eleanor indifferently.8398fb18debc5dfa

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“Are you alright, Roderson?”484de8745f17456f

Eleanor spoke, anticipating my reaction. I looked up a1d3501a2f at her for 73ef2551f9 a moment. Her high-arched golden eyebrows, her b23c081173 mischievous green eyes observing my 2d5d9181d9 reaction, the corners of her 617381ab9f red lips pulled up tightly.0cf9aaeb790b322e

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At that moment, 3b429bf5d0 I think I 1dc6d4edf0 had a thought. That maybe I was about c9f6a6aea3 to be hunted. If I made even 185646ab42 the slightest wrong move.91d5923a1220237a

“Never judge yourself. I’ve never given you that authority.”00fada54dab4cd99

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I repeated my father’s words several times in my head. Eleanor’s father was the president of Fortenge. She’s different from Terry. I had to calm down.59c92607fe616093

“Your hand must have been very slippery.”91533072e23a9094

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I wiped my 6fac6d4e40 cheek with a d7017fff71 napkin and smiled aeb2c7d837 at Janine. Little Janine, not knowing d6fa9da5cb what to do, kept 4ae1162da9 reaching out and retracting 4fa9e1bc33 her hand towards my 87ea57eae2 face.ff7d369d905124a8

“Oh, I, that…. I’m really, really sorry.”d94955c4ce886981

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“It’s okay. Could you get me some wet wipes?”8107a0836ebfde32

“Yes! I’ll be right back!”b2180567c620595b

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Janine, having found an excuse d778314a0f to leave this place, quickly e84a1f803a turned around with a much ab2b82a861 brighter face.5eef030ca78290fb

At the same 8f2d11bfa3 time, Eleanor’s lips 1034d02913 twisted in dissatisfaction. She irritably pulled the chair 0b6b0ef82f next to me. A screech, an unpleasant sound, d554129427 echoed through the cafeteria. Eleanor sat next a73a7ed2ef to me, rested 11fd83604b her chin on 8c19b646cf her hand, and f16815a32e looked at me.a82f4b78e9d6937a

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It was then that 5f809badf7 Remington, who had been f875389da5 watching us impassively, frowned. He asked Eleanor fc96e2637e in a dry 0cf38d7881 voice,772fd908cdf9debd

“What are you doing, El?”da7058d10796e86b

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“I feel bad for Roderson. Her hair is a mess 8cebcb72f7 because of me.”751d06074e718ea7

Eleanor said, picking up 63da6d336c my long hair with 4cf02ceb4a two fingers as if 9eae65f80a it were dirty trash.f8bcafeca071f758

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“Are you really okay? Your hair is so damp?”f0dfafe2ef9a279b

“Yes, I’m fine.”5c71892e1d1bd177

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I answered as politely as 4ecf5ae9b0 possible. Eleanor scoffed.cea45b6c5472359e

“Roderson’s generosity is impressive. Or have you still not da2b495464 broken the habit of saying 75f7861fd9 ‘yes, yes’ like a servant?”4e41f68c8f33009f

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My hair gently scattered from Eleanor’s fingertips. I heard Remington sigh softly from across the table. He crossed his arms and looked out the window. He clearly seemed to find this situation troublesome.31d37c780bfee899

Eleanor ignored Remington 298644c0f4 and focused solely 30a6ec3f13 on me. She stared intently at my da2540a3ab face, her chin resting on 41343604a2 her hand.72fca7718808beb2

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“You’re from Strawberry Hill, right?”eded60a515b34363

“Yes.”8c18eed8334712ef

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“But you’re using a single room, aren’t you?”ac4d056af24be00e

“Is there a problem?”c96e3ba5d31e02d5

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“Everyone except seniors are in shared rooms. At least double rooms. There are no exceptions for 6f13f88b6b anyone. You’re not going to say 4b64785ecb you didn’t know, are you?”66c1b6ea4d67abad

“…I didn’t know. Really.”5e48b20fcf54d564

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It was true. I looked at Eleanor 80180a0084 with a surprised expression, fdbd668abb trying to show my b5a67a948a innocence as much as ce4e858676 possible, but she just 7a813a91bf gave a wry smile.6fdd51be0debe67c

“Seeing as you always wear white socks, you seem to know and follow Erratum’s rules better than anyone else, but you didn’t know the most basic dormitory rule?”e459162180316032

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Eleanor leaned back 52ca8faca3 and looked me bafe3df96a up and down e5e5005315 mockingly as she 9e5cc2dbfe spoke.eacc34d5ad2c9946

“Move now that you know. Rules are there to be d088357b62 followed.”60dd9cfb1c8ff278

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“I wasn’t assigned a single room because I wanted one. I think the school 4779e39cf0 must have made an f4172ec025 exception…. Ugh.”a81a56e82366367d

Before I could 375a943af9 finish speaking, my 02e9de1aeb hair was grabbed. Eleanor gripped my 8bd875e420 hair tightly and 253d7f74b9 pulled it back 7db6073951 with all her 3e812ce858 might, forcing my 4fb440a297 neck to bend d8edd5c8a7 completely backward. A sharp pain shot 95f182c334 through the back of 3f084ce163 my head.a5959f7e155b9003

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“You’re really clueless. You don’t know the baaeb80126 dormitory rules, you don’t dd6516f367 know whose seat this 30417015a6 is.”1156a6c1a7b57c16

Eleanor whispered, suppressing her anger.d5eac0f8b45a8b3b

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The room immediately 01e1663800 buzzed, and Remington, e763c6b77d who had been 425e1ca36a looking out the b2703c41ac window with a c712cac533 bored expression, turned 1c6c8837ff his head a c4566a89cf beat late to 541217a2fd look at me.8a05bd7c6ca00bc3

He glanced once at Eleanor’s hand gripping my hair, and then once at my face. He showed no surprise. His gaze was so predictable, so bored, as if he were watching a tedious play.451120b324a5c4ce

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Eleanor’s gaze was completely fixed on me. She didn’t seem to care what expression her Remington made, or how people whispered about us. Perhaps she had never cared. About the gazes of others.237b7173d68dfb8f

“Dana Roderson, everyone is equal at Erratum. As the dormitory representative f901cfbfb4 of Strawberry Hill, I 25034e8a8e can’t allow you to ef8b72f723 be the only one 00ed41f9d1 enjoying special privileges.”9cbe7f0bec5cfdae

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Eleanor declared firmly, twisting and 272f54e64a tightening her grip on my e9151122e1 hair.1db0aa8a8975a9d4

“The principal has made many exceptions for you, but I can’t do the same. If you want to claim that you deserve different rights than others, you’ll have to prove you’re a student worthy of them.”b949a5eedb04b451

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“…….”dde4e18996039f66

“And for an adopted child, pretending to be so noble is quite pathetic. A fake can never 821dcffb61 become real, you know?”66261b77302be698

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Eleanor said, her face barely 61efe35923 concealing a sneer. Yet, her eyes darted 576a4f8004 around anxiously, as if 367a143d67 she wanted to confirm c7f3eb6afd whether her attack had 06052bc4a7 landed properly.ca4768f03b025099

Perfect blonde hair, jewel-like green eyes. Eleanor’s face belonged to a perfect “original.”86ba12e30f67f078

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At that moment, b3fa902a44 I thought of 13b09220c4 Daniel. How could I not think 08f64de090 of him, watching this rich 151d545f17 girl, with hands that must af188b8f53 have touched only the finest 274e76f819 things in the world, getting 56ee0ac6f2 so worked up over grabbing db1a819de2 my hair?433995a0ee64b989

When I laughed, Eleanor’s long eyelashes fluttered.e7885bf55e08f2fb

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“…You’re laughing?”d17b55e8d1f3559f

She let go of my hair and raised her hand. If Eleanor hit me, things would actually turn in my favor. Good riddance. Thinking that, I squeezed my eyes shut, but I didn’t feel any pain on my cheek.942ed0677e93cbf4

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…What? I opened my eyelids to see a large hand gripping Eleanor’s wrist. It was Remington’s.9dc39bfd684b5441

“Don’t make a big deal out of this, El.”1c6f5f782df5e8f2

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Remington said in a dry voice. His eyes were as calm as they had been before. But a considerable force emanated from the hand gripping Eleanor’s wrist. Eleanor’s face was now flushed crimson. She looked as if she was about to burst into tears out of frustration.5cbe03915ddb5270

“Remi…. Are you taking this 17414c26c9 girl’s side right now?”3f86fc71b58b1250

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“Even for you, this is a violation of school rules. As you said, school rules c6322c2880 apply to everyone without exception.”0e1e72ac5213a84d

His incredibly calm voice recited the regulations matter-of-factly. Only then did Eleanor’s hand fall limply. Remington then straightened his posture, which had been leaning towards us, and let out a small sigh.658838c11c950018

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“Let’s go.”58e2553a895881ca

Remington gestured with his chin, f37aeb0d47 as if telling me to 17ec71a749 get up. I gathered my things and 999cd6424a followed him. Eleanor was no longer 942b9f8a80 looking at me, only 6cccda8ca1 glaring sharply at Remington.5056602b0255b1ce

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“Why are you doing this? You said you 393cb67ffc hated her too! You said you were 4528ee336f annoyed to have to 413b58a03d take on this troublesome 7e5bcad733 task!”39dfb35448502c60

“That’s a different matter.”8bf5a67eef250fd3

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“Would you have shown such kindness if Roderson was ugly?”10385302b11ecb82

“Yes. I would have. She’s my buddy.”ee6c48f68742be72

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Remington answered slowly as 63ab56d6a2 he gathered his things. Judging by his ce513c31b0 tone, there was 1aa2837cf4 no hint of 5be1494e80 a desire to 9dcd4157fe resolve this situation, 038d84a0e4 but his attitude fc56dfe9da was at least 926f3c01e7 closer to my eec109baba side than Eleanor’s.670f67325df9c527

Remington whispered something in Eleanor’s 391550d577 ear as he got up, 55a86828c2 and upon hearing his words, ba736c2441 Eleanor, suppressing her anger, abruptly 902c83553b stood up and stormed out 5f3f86b0ae of the cafeteria. The other students, who e1ee580aac had been watching us c2d4d6fe66 from the corner of af622c165f their eyes, also started f314773f7e murmuring and resumed their 2bc44a939b meals.b5f1ed99042aa2ab

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Remington shook his head 8c2faba95f as if tired and 31ecf5e159 walked ahead. I hurried after him.874eab174dd66e43

“Thank you for helping me.”f51028f8368c8d9a

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Instead of answering, Remington took d0bfc12fa9 the tray from my hand 9c15f5d48f and offered me a tissue.adcafe06dde33ffc

“At least wipe your face with this.”a711116f2effcfe8

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“Oh, thanks.”2a16946248257679

I wiped the bbbb60d261 remaining juice from c3f0c8b0b7 my cheeks and 0f0189686f stood next to 8316105c60 him as he c40714a0ac cleared the tray.628fb84d6a4a6617

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“I hope I haven’t caused any trouble between you and your girlfriend.”9fd8deadb9a4e94a

“Who said I have a girlfriend?”6b3524ce2eb9ca87

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“Weren’t you going out with Eleanor?”fc1db7a719447d24

“Eleanor is the principal’s daughter.”d82e7381bd1044a7

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Remington replied, dumping the remaining contents of the tray into the trash can all at once. Eleanor is the principal’s daughter? I didn’t understand the context of that sudden remark. Was he telling me to be more careful because she was the principal’s daughter?22840d3df01ae685

However, the strange disillusionment I sensed in Remington’s expression as he said those words left a strong impression on me.8b842f363cbfc438

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A face full of 9c9a41203c vitality and confidence.3afe5dcec04345aa

An aloof and bored face.1543fcaa9ba85ec6

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Which of the two was closer to the real Remington? How much longer would I have to observe him to find out the truth? But I didn’t want to get to know him that well.904b7c418f1da200

“I’ll get going now. I need to change my e082601867 uniform.”3bcfb93e9c874ec4

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As I turned to ff8fec9b2e leave, Remington glanced at 71a7c61b6c me. His eyes narrowed immediately, and 8c7fc8b066 he grabbed my chin with 1b127eb5d9 a click of his tongue.83bbe8994cf42a25

“What are you doing?”eb0b9b3b8393375d

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“Wait a second.”c5cc7c49f4ddc4d9

He held my chin steady with one hand and pulled out some tissues from the wall dispenser with the other. Remington’s face tilted slightly. He gently rubbed and wiped the side of my lips.6b51975eb89f71ac

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“You must really love meat pie.”e9fb99dd749816f0

He teased, then 352ea1d187 handed me the deab3784be tissue covered in 7f82fdadd2 meat pie crumbs. My face paled with embarrassment, 7829b00bc9 and Remington, smiling with satisfaction, 25cb30eb21 turned away.78b0801a0d326181

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…I wanted to die.732bbf06d8c207f7

✧˖🕯️˚࿔️f547738b014c5f6b

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I moved rooms. Now that I knew 4c2c8e71fd the single room was 53806e7f7c a privilege just for d2d9d350a3 me, I couldn’t pretend c6b9e60a38 I didn’t know. I also didn’t b4cf8f68a0 want to give 52a0206ee6 Eleanor any ammunition cd499e9f95 against me.37b6a2285ea1e6b5

The dorm supervisor a3ad9cfe16 was worried about 7ab373a4a9 me. She asked me 52c3db217d several times if 6955751b69 I was being cf2eae9a58 bullied, and I 03359bdd50 replied that I 50cc75b334 just wanted to f8e93f5cec follow the same ef04ae5404 rules as the c4b6dd874a other students.89b6d29c4279817c

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The new room assignment f7ee568fd6 was processed quickly. Fortunately, there was 9521eea374 a student who a2f0389028 wanted to share e11a8a68b3 a room with 2d8a21106f me.adce2d2fd564559e

But room 710. I sighed the moment I saw that number. I didn’t like high places. To be precise, I didn’t like the elevator that took you to those high places….a48a91861588d115

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I lingered in front fc4a0c1697 of the elevator, its e11c9956db giant mouth gaping open, a17a047f62 and eventually opted for b53e3ddea1 the stairs. By the time ef0406b8ca I struggled up 7824c4b0d3 to the 7th 529e97137d floor carrying two c0e253a2e2 large suitcases, sweat fcb4a3b15b was dripping from eec4432a24 my forehead.7901c4f65f85ffa2

“Hi, Dani! Oh my… did 946e700ae8 you walk up 204ce56da3 here?”d69c9b8356723518

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Surprised, her purple 23654f13aa lipstick-covered lips formed 97834491b5 a small “o.”8d84b15e0a33a835

It was Cassie. Relieved that it wasn’t Eleanor, I smiled at her.8ce393e184835b8e

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“Hi, Cat. I prefer the stairs. Could you take my d701cc4350 suitcase if you don’t 6fea22ab89 mind?”63b5c4eb3f9de4f6

“Of course!”ba76468aecf4c8d8

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Cassie immediately grabbed 15979ca4b4 the suitcase and 3eef2d7817 pulled it into 1ab0b4a655 the room. She was so 1678af50aa quick and efficient, de68cf8f78 it felt like 7d57f9f73d I should tip 2fd4d8a1a1 her.4b13333675769651

“Dani, do you know how surprised and happy I was to hear you were giving up your single room and looking for a roommate?”0eba4a15db92614f

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Cassie said as she placed 3d8b6066a1 the suitcase in the middle 2562c0bee0 of the room.5bad2aefd199ce68

“I really hate having a room to myself, and I was so worried because I couldn’t find a roommate easily. But to have this opportunity to share a room with Roderson… I’ll never forget this.”2a6de152a098c254

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“Thank you. I’m glad to be roommates c1d7904bba with you too. But the room interior….”2d503d93689587e1

I looked around the room 4709a88da1 with a bewildered expression.b349062d36349df7

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A beautiful view of 42ffb36a67 the vast artificial lake edcd0461d6 and dark forest seen f9dc2f7e3b through the large window, ad4c42f480 indigo wallpaper on all 5abdbc9314 four sides and a 742d1a11ac checkerboard floor pattern, a e589b1b226 snow-white bed, and a 8f0a98c192 wooden cross hanging on 90d0ab62b8 the ceiling, level with d92eb9e348 where the pillows lay.1ef03cdc6a9a7eeb

“Oh, it’s the same as your room, right?”843a70d651037b19

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Cassie grinned.04d930f1474af2ab

“As soon as it was decided you were moving into my room, your father had my room redecorated like this. I was so 9f7e8fe8f4 surprised when the dc5a340564 workers suddenly showed 9eea7b7bae up.”4bd92b9ae461d27f

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“…Really?”a1bbe7732c7fb4a8

I gave an awkward laugh. Just how much did f642452370 my father know about 85c7434c14 my school life?efef26f876f72b06

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“I’m so jealous, Dani! To have lived in such 7a2a7d84f6 a beautiful room. If you had seen deb0c1d436 my previous room, you 4601ac1c14 might have run out 3028041f3c of here immediately.”3dd41bc03828f94e

Cassie burst into hearty laughter.c68c08ab61a32dd3

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I toppled the 5a1348d641 large suitcase, as 87aaf2ba12 big as myself, f782907718 onto the floor 45cba1a44d to unpack. It made a c0b2c1e258 loud thud, but 581ddec819 Cassie, unconcerned, squatted 2e36f07be7 down next to 246347f4b6 me.344a062d9ebcb892

“Do you want help unpacking? Can I touch your things?”206eb33a49aac903

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“It’s okay. I can do it myself.”bae9a1f11aabe7fc

“Okay. Data entry complete. You don’t like other people touching your belongings.”42f8bb03e523c8a3

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Cassie’s dewdrop-like eyes blinked rapidly. She spoke as if she were about to take out a notepad and jot it down.b899eb2a16c5ce9b

“It’s not that, I just thought you might be tired. This is my job anyway. I can do it.”310b631140e28cbb

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“Okay. Additional data entry complete. Dislikes receiving help.”a284c08b8996dc40

Cassie laughed mischievously, raising both hands and standing up as if to indicate she would leave me alone. I couldn’t help but smile.e88d9085b35e4cfd

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“Cat, do you observe everyone like this?”d05b02b21b09490f

“Only the people whose information could be worth money.”2e071528a41e465f

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Cassie, who had climbed onto the bed at some point, lay on her stomach like a well-fed puppy and looked at me. She was a strange girl. It seemed she wasn’t just selling pills.213fb628c9ec77d3

I left the open suitcase f58a91bb25 and turned to face Cassie.edf67abb9286f0f9

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“How can information be worth money?”f6e1dee277188294

“Why wouldn’t it be worth money, Princess? Information can be bought and sold, so it’s worth money.”ac72c494b5b09198

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“I mean, I’m curious who buys information about us and why.”4e23bd4f6509b2d8

“If you’re curious, it’s 20 dollars.”d08d8977c94b0a58

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I wasn’t sure 126e325711 if she was 17fd284721 joking or serious, 4f6d2a3b32 so I just 9a7e418fbc stared at her, 0cc6165186 and Cassie held bf145c2b4e out her hand, 5add5af86c prompting me.a51ee590d70d5bf3

“Dani, aren’t you curious?”2ca9f475bd56939b

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“Oh, yeah, hold on.”4b84b2c658e3c3f2

I rummaged through 31cc320c4a my wallet and b81a7e2ee8 placed two bills d8f8c418cc in Cassie’s palm. Cassie’s hand, as 7156f4e5ac she grabbed the 225af345d4 bills saying, “Good,” 3dad842d6c was as swift 7eb876bc71 as an eagle’s.941e8cef8d1f3a52

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Cassie gave me 90a41020f6 the answer like 7e92322dea a vending machine.84b79a7cb933fede

“There are two types of people who actively seek me out to buy information about someone. Those who really like someone, c6e49288c9 or those who really hate 0b7ff4054c someone. The former want to 73447ca7c3 know everything they can, 31db221fc7 and the latter want cfd7d9c624 to mess with them.”8e25abedbb338378

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“So, are there also people who acquire information passively?”59667a6cd53001f7

“Of course. The kids who come 09ab6ae454 to me first asking 49ca13fe1a for information are only c8e89d71d8 about 10% of my e1db93c5e3 clients. Most of them… I approach d7e34f7b47 first. I collect information 95bf78e0fe in advance, then 4568eacb93 find the people cac138dbb3 most likely to e848d15293 want that information, 3ee2612548 and dangle the b24586696b bait. Then the clients e714de5ed0 take the bait. It’s like fishing.”0f699790b73c5be7

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Cassie’s eyes suddenly gleamed slyly. She swung her feet in the air from her prone position and asked me,c2c876ffdba6c5b8

“Dani, do you know why all the girls refused to be your buddy?”851b3ecac1562006

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“I don’t know. Maybe because I’m uncomfortable to be around.”ab231dd6fcc8a29b

“That’s not it. It’s an opportunity to add another line to their student records, so why would they refuse? Especially Roderson. There’s a different reason, Dani.”37498e9c42175556

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“…A different reason?”007e951bd38bcf27

The moment I asked back, b8d3d8e17e Cassie smoothly held out her 560232d31c hand.cbd385f22b1deb73

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“This information is 100 dollars.”5e1a928a745d6f3e

As if possessed, b6638f287e I smoothly placed b755db0878 100 dollars in 9b6fd40255 Cassie’s palm. Cassie’s hand grasped the 96ab59a0a1 bills with satisfaction.4ad35fc5fe975501

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“The reason is… because of Eleanor.”29273852a1f7552a

She whispered to me with 5c459ab49e a solemn expression, as if d62e35e852 sharing a secret.d4132cdc493b93c0

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“Eleanor told all the girls to refuse being your buddy. And I think I a8c8db41ff know why. It must be because 6f6b867937 of what happened in 5853bba628 the boys’ lounge of f2cc619d4a Udolpho House.”3c2374c060c9db3b

“What happened there?”8498009aa65b6715

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“Sorry. This is a bit expensive. I have to 2f11cce066 pay a commission 6fc56d290c to my informant.”0c74cc94ef53044c

“Okay. Whatever it takes.”7330ca6fa2288328

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I pulled out ba1cc25df5 a handful of ce794313d1 bills from my fba50031fd wallet and handed 71f2e5c957 them to Cassie. After checking the 34a2a5f620 amount, Cassie politely 2d86952882 transformed, kneeling neatly b68846a0f6 on the bed.3b385db70b86e758

“Dani, you’re a bold one, aren’t you? I like you even more. By the way, Eleanor also bought this information from me for about this much. I’m telling you this for free.”125cd4e715fa547c

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Cassie gave me a thumbs-up dd562f95e0 and winked. She cleared her 1e0da1ed02 throat, preparing to bca37112bd tell a long 6da4759364 story.7d034cfcea80d3fc

“Ahem, I heard this from Jun. Keep in mind that he’s not the type to exaggerate.”42b6110fafff5504

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“Yeah, okay.”5acc92869a9cc4f1

“There’s a regular vote among the boys in the Udolpho House dormitory. They discuss who they think is the most attractive girl. But as you know, Remington isn’t the type to participate in such a silly vote, right? Honestly, it’s a bit childish. Anyway, Remington wasn’t participating in the conversation and was just reading a book. Why does he always read books everywhere? Anyway, when your name came up, Remington looked at them for the first time. With a look of subtle interest. So Jun said,0313f96e53fc0ada

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‘What, Remington. Are you interested in 7cafc6a56b Dani too?’d74a89c2cb5d74c7

And Remington said,60a7fae505b65e57

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‘Not entirely not.’”08bb12b775ceade8

“The real kicker is what he said after that.”65db3ca69fa07ab1

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‘She’s pretty. And annoying.’325ce909963f379f

“Then he even voted for you. The boys’ lounge was in an uproar because of this. That guy, who usually just reluctantly writes down Eleanor’s name! Doesn’t Eleanor have a right to be furious?”ad25d38369b2b688

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Purple lips spilled out 3400a62fa5 the words in an 77a41a4d60 increasingly excited voice. Cassie even grabbed my 57b740ac59 hand and exclaimed,777206e9f8b74291

“Remington must be in love with you, Dani!”10290c2cfc80c851

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I just gave an awkward laugh. I only regretted that I couldn’t tell Cassie about Remington’s atrocious behavior.5283f0422be9877a

✧˖🕯️˚࿔️a016ea3beda6711d

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Adolescence was a time 49672f2849 when all emotions ran 05cb7ae19f high.3aa6f89537995a2a

A time when d472e6a140 it was easy 0ebb32ace5 to be fascinated a38d0fa32d by anything, to 9f0c45ff61 be easily broken 1683a73898 by what fascinated 82888894f9 you, to hunt 79ecade675 others, and to ad83ded28b be reassured and af5dd560c4 feel safe only a6e93f1b63 after being covered e702d12504 in the blood 0c8d317b05 of your prey.b57566e1613b16c3

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Fascination, collapse, hunting….45585a8aced8744a

I didn’t want any of that, but it wasn’t something I could control.5209261b02517583

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Eleanor started using her underclassmen 2c6009f9a6 to blatantly harass me. Stealing my notes and throwing 0b829ea548 them in the trash, putting b3e00e1477 strange notes in my locker, eeaf012e6f making sure no other girls 950f0e1f2e would partner with me in 28cb5f254b class. They were simple tactics you’d d200e40f0a see in old movies.1e6a616fe14ae3c9

Did Eleanor think I would 7c43613e8e burst into tears and run e0b8ba7dd0 to my father, begging him aabbf077a6 to transfer me again? But compared to e8c9dc1630 my fear of 4b18edbcf7 my father, Eleanor 48d612e4dd was at the 4fa0c6e0f1 level of a 8c74568c7a bobcat, and I caa65a6303 had no intention 9849921570 of running away.98628760244b48e2

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I continued having c689d1f34d lunch with Remington ebc16413c5 as scheduled. It felt awkward to 4e3ed18ccd call him a friend, e2e6befc8c but we maintained a 51204c0a6f relatively close relationship, not 913b0efa74 quite close enough to 8c6ca7c811 be called strangers.726f6879de19b73e

“Aren’t you even going to ask if I’m okay?”cc803e43abc92adb

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“Should I?”a69ff805a1b4e752

Remington asked back, c1a87d6a3e cutting his broccoli. Even after seeing 97c7bc659e my ripped bag, e65f1a873c he hadn’t said 89298f90ff a word. That jerk….50b7e5c83435647b

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“Why don’t you show some concern? It’s not entirely unrelated to 6fa4aefb46 you.”d378c92cc549a3e4

“I don’t want to get caught up in annoying fights. I have a lot of d6a7681ce1 other things to worry about.”997790b71e605002

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“Oh, really?”de1d76a19c71e930

I wished I could show Cassie the Remington sitting in front of me right now. I regretted that I couldn’t show her how annoying his expression was, how much he didn’t want to get involved in my affairs.5bbc4d85b659f2de

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