ESS Ch 3

Ah. I let out a short 8b40e6bbca breath and froze. My father looked at 17ce724c22 me while drinking red 20f12c116c wine. I wished the wine 07aa07e8ef would linger in his b7e0d03b6e mouth for as long 43514fac4b as possible, but he f42bbd82d1 quickly swallowed the red 28c1b24914 liquid and opened his 23ff9c2437 mouth.bd55d2c8108774d1

“Terry Tyler.”49ebf5a131de09c8

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My eyes widened e049393b02 at the name f249ffd2e9 I had forgotten b7458e4218 for a while. Moreover, it was 91fa471518 a name I 557a77f835 never thought would b729ca0b7a come out of 51fdfca12f my father’s mouth.31ed66e1e2c49770

“You won’t have to see him anymore.”703c9d822ad9c774

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“…….”b01ceb2fda8638d7

“I cut off his support. He won’t be able to return to Erratum until you graduate.”4ffb74abe4332617

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“…Wh, why?”3174e7178a6a0bed

“Why, you ask?”d3bfe72e7dd183bb

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My father’s eyebrows slanted. I spoke, cautiously observing his expression.fef65b107835e682

“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….”f42a801757ba3ad1

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“Oh, Dani.”2ec990485f16b741

My father looked at a15842bb2a me with pity in 64d0071503 his eyes. I knew how bad f0f595d9d3 a sign that look 38aef06956 was.9c40a2e7fdb07d07

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My father beckoned c82de6973b me to come 83d03b871f closer. I got up from 9bb292351f my seat and hesitantly c6582a976c approached him. I could feel Nanny Anna 6d70591344 looking at me with concern f7ee382262 from afar.7fcb197480064131

I slowly knelt 04f564c6c5 down in front 350679c923 of my father. The moment I looked f84aa8c47c up at him with 79e55a8d68 fearful eyes, a large 4e1733fd2b hand grabbed my chin ea2ee36df9 and forced my head 8875e2e8e0 up as high as 73e5f624cd it could go.6216ff95b227eeaf

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“Ugh….”985799237ce938e6

“Dani, who delivers judgment for sins?”c2cb4f9ad95a074b

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“Fa-father, you do.”a1994377a0436c7c

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.35a1fd6c5dbbba30

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My father stared into 2be68f0f80 my eyes with a e08cf7aa8e cold expression.0e4c07d594669fe3

“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.”878f6d5d0e7abb16

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“…….”12d1666b23a52319

“If something similar happens in the future, smile first. Smile as kindly as possible 263193376e so that no one notices 941aed52dc your feelings. And then, what you eb505ca9ad have to do is 4699ab69b2 tell me the name 4e0889a668 of the person who 96f4c50fe2 insulted you. Do you understand?”4786e2edad4e7456

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“Ye-yes…. I’m sorry.”2de1fdc48af6ceeb

“Never judge yourself. I’ve never given you that authority.”5cc225801d6969fe

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“…I’m sorry.”b7cba200a1b341e2

I nodded like a doll. My body trembled like 57d977e538 an aspen leaf, and 352342b587 my palms were drenched 6463fc529d in sweat. My father released my ae51ddf069 chin and clicked his aea23002f3 tongue in annoyance.775770609a76d122

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“Also, break the habit of apologizing recklessly.”6a5c0a59e4342e3c

“…I’m, I’m really sorry, that’s why I’m apologizing.”8346782c4706801d

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“You apologize because you’re sorry? Apologies are made when they absolutely have to be made.”e756e70bd5da129f

“Ugh….”e1166f1888f2384d

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My father lightly trod on 088a94ddee my knees with his boots b250b8c09e and asked,1b931b14364463cd

“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?”2063ff1c32ecd1d4

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“Ugh….”c34f0ebb63218bf8

“Now you see? How easily you’ve 22288ad27d been throwing apologies 6bb0191fb2 around.”c53e60887a38f683

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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.7f80f6e162134f39

“You have to distinguish between three things: things you have to say, things you can say, and things you shouldn’t say.”af5567ce3c6ae717

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My father continued his 67f09278b6 meal slowly as he 7f39d0bc10 spoke.ff75676e152667bd

“People who say what they want are foolish. People who blurt out 822e32b8d6 the truth because they 0f405de9ca want to reveal their 5dd9b58ddc ‘true selves’ are even 14b03d1d6f more foolish.”0d24a80df3ce2484

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“…….”5da778805d6718f7

“A truly clever person knows how to adapt appropriately to the situation. Like a chameleon.”cbe9defefc27aa28

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“Yes….”fc55fabefce975de

I clenched my fists 2cce8db2ee to suppress my trembling 0128435432 and nodded with the d1d1ee7aa4 most obedient face I 985538c83e could muster. Red meat was b8794ebcc6 being sucked into c186b3c814 my father’s dark eba3fcfb51 mouth.61ae35601c652b21

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I waited on my knees e6756ec3af until he finished his meal. I missed my 9c3aeeeaf8 sister, Bo, and 1bfac37fab I felt sorry 838d162983 for my nanny, 6203b11015 who must have ffc8f244ff been watching all ace1cef08c of this.4a26dc02fc1e810d

Only when my father 319428c73e slowly swallowed the last 1a650ed934 piece of meat did 104f6dd51c he ask another question.c02dc77945c1b098

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“I heard you were choosing a friend to help you with your school life. How did that go?”78c5d8aa5943f7ec

“Ah….”6129cb395ebee925

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Exhausted, my mind was blank. Even then, fear gripped 5ed804778f me that I might a8189dfb1f be punished if I 1370d3f2d4 said the wrong thing.c27f3589b7abddfe

“…I-it’s decided.”4f62983c5b10c3c5

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I impulsively blurted out a b131d7dca3 name.b2505e265da0872e

“Remington Howard. He’s my buddy.”b867555ec01308e0

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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.be9964dbf49f1684

“Julia Howard’s son?”df26f523baae1983

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“Yes, that’s right.”2d0ba33ea4a8126b

“Not a bad choice.”cf2c3997567c6e24

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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.8bccc526eda31bf3

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.a42c474aaed9cd95

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“Oh, my poor young miss….”8630f83a917c7b21

Anna, who came to 299f6c8223 the room, massaged my 335765b4a1 legs and sobbed for 248f9275c8 a long time. I wrapped my hand around b23ca523d9 her hand and smiled faintly.d5af9bde8c28d02e

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“It’s okay. It doesn’t hurt at all.”3bb5f89646e567b8

But my smile cafd7adc94 made Anna’s face 62d771dca2 crumple even more.008783be501b0400

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“Don’t lie. Your knees are bruised!”cff3909df39db3f1

“It’s not that big. No one will look at me that closely. It’s fine.”1a70689e900d04d1

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“It’s not because I’m worried about others seeing it, it’s because I’m worried about you!”0ccd4268f893ca2f

Anna wrapped my 90c274be0e head in her dbc1ed771c arms and stroked 1796e8a319 my back.1068ca3bed01a97f

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“Miss, are you taking your medicine properly?”a6d0d766949ae3cb

“Of course.”c29c4547b316f6eb

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“Oh dear, you poor thing….”9c2c8ec36e8ff06a

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.cbab2cbd47105132

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“I’m sorry, Anna.”3b1db987f48424c9

“For what?”582e63b6544ab811

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“You’re upset because of me. I’m sorry for making you upset.”db7665c6a78dd19c

“Don’t say that.”bb94fae0e86e4388

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Anna hugged me tighter. A warm, milky scent 64e12a4d4a emanated from her embrace. I stayed in b89d2a0dc3 her arms for 730bd71e61 a long time.d8963e02633672dd

The nanny gave 0efd14ff32 me another pill, c5a0fedacc and only after ddf06eb3de watching me swallow 6a91674398 it completely did c0c01ccba7 she leave the d89ae67b5e room.7417e1770e58fe7a

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In the darkened room, I 5c5db68ec1 lay in bed and looked 32ba1696c2 up at the wooden cross f985aed2a2 hanging on the ceiling. I thought of Remington 162fdfe0ff and wrapped my arms 29866509b1 around my bruised knees. A stinging pain af72a6f476 spread beneath my c78d8222af warm palms.9cf40f15c1651f9d

“A truly clever person knows how to adapt appropriately to the situation. Like a chameleon.”be2d21c1793de39a

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I thought about chameleons c399a38dbb until I fell asleep. The chameleon clinging to the 1fb3e17aaf rock was dark gray, but 74471a4bd6 when it moved to the b445dee194 leaf, it quickly turned green, e40838c11d and the chameleon that crawled ca9d86779d onto the flower bed shimmered efb5bf4ac8 in five colors.04e2c6bb1bd382f2

So what is a chameleon’s b34d9dd375 true color? Does a chameleon know cc19650101 its true color?48ab76d06d659c15

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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.e859c0f2ddc35580

“Is it still valid? Your offer to 0b963a8b68 be my buddy.”2f4baea40318e4ae

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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.”036dcb96c2a226db

We went to the principal’s office together, and I apologized to the principal, just as he had advised.214d41a7fd54a0ed

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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.”32f1060bb977ea47

The principal smiled 6e839a21ec with satisfaction at c8595b5c32 my words and 3eee0ee92a crossed out two 1a18ed3faf lines on his 78a606cd08 notepad. This time, I was 84a76f15d9 certain the words were 207c3ae4bc “maladjusted.” Relief brought a b5f1d6b59e smile to my face. But when I glanced at 027240c728 Remington, his face was indifferent.de071e7f42a123bb

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After we left 029062b6f0 the principal’s office, 7cd83d7089 he spoke in 981fed5a96 a businesslike tone, 197e3df174 as if reciting 98320fa56a a manual.cab21cf691a75087

“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.”a3a4630263673703

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Annoyed eyes, but a sincere 42da3c0add attitude.19637a245370f57c

The gap he showed 37e8e3c85e was strange.b6f7cc396893110e

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“Thank you for helping me.”b038e531f6fcb595

I said awkwardly. Remington frowned as if he ab54ed187b had heard an unpleasant word.23d4fcaee5683b42

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“I’m not helping you.”011218ff772ac556

He finished his sentence and turned around. As if he couldn’t spare me any more of his time.76043f76707a9255

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…Right. What did I expect f8fe4f2c2c from him?6c952a2550c8696c

I rolled my eyes and 23bce4701a paused in the hallway for 215187bf53 a moment, when Remington stopped da4e309d31 and looked back at me 58119356e9 again.73e6ad1d6c879d77

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“Why are your knees like that?”71e93b53fcc0386e

“…Huh?”cc1b2a9368526f98

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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.fabd8d3ff52b9ade

Remington, still with a 93f095e969 displeased expression, said to a5dec803ea me,af72ef0e25beea0f

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“Either wear pants or cover it up with makeup. It’s perfect for other people to make up weird stories.”f1dcc60624de0c76

“Oh, okay….”d212bf39e78d5d88

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I nodded in a daze. Remington clicked his b688399215 tongue softly and b7634e6dbb turned around again. I stared blankly at 594a826f71 his broad, receding back 462fe16e81 and looked down at dc4324f0d5 my knees again.6b0f0aae7c623f1d

I wondered if Remington knew.870431bc4db8b644

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That no one else 0bdf71526d in Erratum had asked 1f2554301b me about my knees.fc4ec90bf36c1431

✧˖🕯️˚࿔️9fd18108a0ad0368

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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.fbe3ff92897d9881

“I’m so jealous, Remington. Having a girl as your buddy. Why does the principal favor you so much?”70d2de4e28ba4ea3

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“You thief. Are you taking Roderson too?”8c2bf968bf493da9

Every boy who passed by 8c9d37b447 threw a playful remark at ee43aa24b2 Remington. I wanted to hide as 4f2971c537 much as possible, but Remington 4d1d4901bf seemed unconcerned.3c8ec4678e8c1b12

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“Don’t interrupt. Can’t you see we’re on a date?”e76b50b2647e0c5e

He took my e8653211d1 pork chop and 14467be0a0 put it on 52d012003c my tray, then 97aacf28ac playfully snapped at 23bfa328b7 the people around 98e27706d7 us. It was like 6899673bc6 adding fuel to 9813eecc62 the fire of 885aefb14d their interest. The boys cheered and 16d37dfcc7 stamped their feet. The cafeteria floor vibrated 69c456d7df with a thump, thump.f0f03b3dbe680729

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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.9a1ccdfe5bf624f2

“What’s going on, Dani?”5d677fd16aa5dbc9

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“Hi, Cat. What’s up?”2b6f01a58bdc424a

“Again. Again. Pretending you don’t know.”7dfaa95e4decab50

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Cassie lightly rolled her 66bf3d18fc eyes and nudged my 52c81d0e21 shoulder.f99034157aca0f67

“Tell me, Dani. Did Remington ask you ec0f25e947 to be his buddy 70a57f8cae first? Or did you ask him?”342ca3e5f162401d

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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.d2ddf066ce2ab0d1

“The principal suggested it first. Remington and I accepted it.”0686c9d8b488d95c

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“What?”ae5861cf29c86d5a

Cassie, surprised for some a2a3a30750 reason, covered her mouth 78f30d0ea5 and rolled her eyes.8c3b147b532b9c45

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“Really? The principal?”424b3876509168bc

“He said he had no choice. I heard all 4736e78d41 the other girls d4bf8ea753 refused.”0e299daca6dbf20c

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“Oh, that….”889f4e27c8a11ba8

“It’s okay. I’m not blaming anyone. It’s true that I make people uncomfortable.”285db3638bbb4f3f

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“Dani, wait! There’s something you don’t know.”c2e81c7992cfb7f2

Cassie urgently grabbed dc3cadb044 me as I 1520725045 turned to leave. But the moment 06a99c75f7 she was about 72ebcc1b99 to say something, 2a2793808f a large hand fdd8f041d5 lightly gripped my 694ad19482 shoulder and interrupted 67bd02344d the conversation.4beccecd344eeec5

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“Hi, Cat. Do you have 46ebf5e869 some business with 41b9ae3c92 my buddy?”02bbae8be4cae203

Remington stepped between 1ab37f03ea Cassie and me a6a7cea85a like a guardian.4c27e3ac30da8e6f

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He pronounced the word “buddy” sweetly, as if it were a nickname like “my honey” or “my baby.”4893823d99f37803

I looked up at him with a disgusted expression, but unlike me, Cassie couldn’t hide the upturn of her lips.531f97113c4df60e

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“Wow, hi, Remington? You know my name?”3e7419cdb9dafda1

“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?”099fe0438a89e201

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“Of course. Absolutely!”93e60430c4a7bb03

Cassie’s eyes sparkled as she 1a6c0a013e looked back and forth between e03c474a49 me and Remington.5c464b86f08d6a52

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This is so awkward….6c7a22e0f6aa60a5

I turned my back and left Remington behind. But I didn’t get far before my forearm was grabbed.a6d6ce4572aa5fa5

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“Not that way.”fe9733915ff0a18f

The moment a 5b21c63e52 hand slipped under f2eee8bf52 my armpit, I 9a6f577182 was so startled 64862fdbaa I almost dropped ecf2b069eb my tray. I felt as if electricity ac1e95f9a3 was running through my body.29caa393f623d612

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“Don’t touch me.”0c582b34a6efa0a6

I reflexively brushed 081aa43087 his hand away. Then, wondering if I had 2e12c6b3e9 overreacted, I quickly added an 05af352ac9 apology.fcc5d2eccad894e7

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“…Sorry. I was a bit 5e93fe22ee harsh just now.”368c172ca972e570

Remington snorted indifferently 537cd2c2b3 at my words.6f4d4db0950b64e4

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“Be consistent. If you’re consistently rude, people 2aa3efc9ce might think you lack manners, fd5e9bc306 but if you’re this inconsistent, 35907c119d you just seem crazy.”cc8e1cbe04da9e07

He led me to a a60ae7787f two-seater by the window. It was a good cd89bc5d90 spot, separated from the 08fa7e5ab9 other students yet still d59ddf8505 moderately visible.2f939305aa23d0b0

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“How’s the seat?”2c39e077b3f5c861

“Um, well, it’s good.”a8119f601c9f2994

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I nodded with 82dedc9573 an awkward face. I could still feel 8fd2fa75a9 his touch under my 1b8eeaa1de armpit. It was a strange feeling. My toes, curled up inside f6f1ec0824 my tight shoes, refused to c59d841fce uncurl.e36e4e1471201c26

✧˖🕯️˚࿔️cfb564aa656bb741

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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.999cb10ae8231ffd

Remington spent most of ce2ca28b43 his time with Eleanor d8e4e19b7a and others, and I 32de5d1ea9 spent most of my 079623a255 time alone.c74ef0e74f7539ee

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Even when we happened 4fae8673c4 to run into each 5dbb27dd3f other in the hallway, fa5cac62de we only exchanged brief 100072500c glances. Neither of us 8287651d37 greeted each other 4d115cace8 boisterously. We were just two 2931e192fc people who had lunch 52f62d7915 together twice a week. That was all.70f2aaaa74a1d8b1

I was convinced we 31e7ede1f3 would never become close, 6996e3f221 but I was wrong. As time went 03f98abd99 by, my conversations 061c48d487 with Remington became 886dec9aad more natural, and 7a81f114ea I even started 129ecc0fa0 to feel more 4297b53ef1 comfortable around him.829e674dbdb103ea

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“How can you eat a meat pie without any sauce?”8f4c17464d24f581

A sauce cup 4ba0a0d744 was placed on ae7a786462 the table in 685324b94b front of me 01bedcbcc6 with a thud. I looked up to 93b9ff210c see Remington sitting down e817b06cdd with an annoyed expression.08d6e11221cdcb68

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“Thanks for getting it for me.”67bb00e445afc95b

“Don’t say I ‘got it for you.’ It’s creepy.”a9ac80c7a8912168

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Remington grumbled, but he opened e3d72bf24a the lid of the sauce c7b6e94cb5 cup and pushed it towards f65d32a710 me so it would be 419ef0e23d easier to eat. Despite his grumpy words, he 2e5058c32a had a soldier-like side to 7026eb3955 him that wanted to perfectly 02cf4107ee fulfill any task he undertook.7065cf3568bcf2ea

“Sometimes you seem like an older brother.”d86d3007e40215c8

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“Get it yourself next time. I have no intention 67469ddcce of being your older 87479b05b3 brother.”1ad9d2cfb3ee18a1

He had said f267800345 something similar last cbb61affbb week when he 92e6fa8b28 brought me the 4512787467 knife I had 926e87aeef forgotten. He always says things like e982bb52a9 that.0d6c6f89c848d3db

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As we continued having 48a94d19ce meals together, I learned 5a1c645008 more and more about 60e9213bcf Remington.43c7aad1974a396e

That he was two ad6de90b37 years older than me.12eadbf3bd3b581d

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That he was not d3e460b2c6 only a member of 242471ce13 the student council but 07a6f7736b also participated in numerous 2b7f86b1dd club activities like rugby, 3839ca1164 newspaper, and Model UN.f03c8948da53d33d

That he had 6eadec6297 never lost his 8c239dd59c top rank since 2eaf422eab entering the school, 89d25f1b77 that he rarely 3237320a22 slept more than 1678a51ca4 five hours a b5d0c70774 day, and that fa51545b57 he was a ead9a0f159 picky eater.faba5b0e8f3dee69

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He never finished 69c5c3d8b7 more than half 8bf44d6694 of his food. Today, too, there was a 5786b9c86d lot of food left on defec99080 his plate. The meat pie 1126b0440e even looked untouched.641f3aecc85b62f2

“Why aren’t you eating it? The meat pie is delicious.”f411af0b95d59dd0

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“It’s not my style.”ad8617eaf8cf9f6a

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.a679072eb7895bb2

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Knowing it was unladylike, I 91b04c5cec cut the pie with my 5a165a094d knife and immediately stabbed a 0fc505ebd0 chunk of meat with my 7260f58f9f fork, shoving it into my 3c6765af65 mouth. As I was 0be15b8030 eating heartily, it 28b6a14db9 was too quiet d7af09e1d0 in front of 9850616f06 me. I looked up 94a1ccaf2a and made eye ab9d0527da contact with Remington, 6178401b11 who was staring e12d1f4fad at me.92c4de3b39a4a295

“…….”73637279ecc37d5b

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He was looking 1f7d5f8a1e at me with a9976c0d47 a condescending gaze, 9053d53578 like a grumpy 7daa5be609 tycoon reluctantly offering f1cf5dc856 a meal to 0893c6b617 a beggar. Perhaps because of that look, f47b01b715 the glass of water in 37946473e3 his hand looked like a 06bfb0804d sophisticated wine glass.b79acb4766908165

A wave of embarrassment 2c4da2a254 washed over me. I slowly straightened my posture, 142a8217e6 and a napkin was offered fa1b350045 to me.48710f437f022ee4

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“Here.”f55213a40be00e6c

He tapped the left 2095336ac6 side of his lips, 7137e9711e as if indicating I 4014bf01cc should wipe it. I instinctively took the napkin db54d8cab5 and wiped my lips, and e041ee667f pie crumbs came off on 4831841ace the white surface.ddc05a633cdd3833

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If it were 0ed1993295 possible to die dadf1ca685 of shame, I 191cda42a7 would already be 4bf2a6da9f a ghost. If my father a17858ccef had seen this, c97fe92cda I might have df43af770a been beaten until 0506fdbc7b I bled.24622979b43297d7

“…I showed you an unsightly side of me.”468303870f7d9c80

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“Just be aware of it.”9c8b97a36f5919e4

He said indifferently, putting 00dea76892 the fork back in c0da81b9fc my hand.2d905a11f873a528

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“Eat quickly. Lunch break is 13f16c1625 only 30 minutes.”54712336ab44eefa

The pie was 1b286fa446 too fantastic to 33b2913026 put down just 8e381ad66b because I was 445e2492b7 embarrassed. I ate his portion as b294031507 well with gusto.001dec08725128db

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While I was d989e80684 eating the pie, 95cdcd16ff Remington rested his b0390b2ecf chin on his de4ac6b7a6 hand and watched d0775559f3 me. I felt like 5d24872691 I might choke 9d283181bc under his intense f32e8b952b gaze, but I b3bf3e897b think I would d287b1c86d have disliked it 1e030b60c2 even more if 3c1fa6d1c8 he had looked 48d530ff29 away. It was strange.182ce12cd3df2eca

“I can’t eat anymore. I’m full.”b82d1df4b13855eb

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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.5b8f63c3ec326290

“Oh my, Janine! How could you a7ec2338b9 spill juice on 34dc1db4f0 Roderson!”b24fa1ee1f11ffaf

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Eleanor’s refined voice 15e57ed95e rang out above 0749489c9a me. I slowly opened my 1bc3611f9a eyes with difficulty. The juice stung my eyes.54324bb20487e436

“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!”dc25dec8f16d42f6

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“I-I’m so sorry….”66a1ff089cbaf629

A girl named Janine hurriedly 6ab3dc6f65 handed me a napkin and bacf14c2cd bowed her head in apology. Eleanor was smiling, and I 975f13f081 felt the surrounding gazes converging 4515454d76 on us again. A headache surged. Remington, still resting his chin 0c8c35f3c7 on his hand, looked at 23a663adb2 Eleanor indifferently.936e58046a37ce9b

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“Are you alright, Roderson?”71ccf1039898e1ba

Eleanor spoke, anticipating my reaction. I looked up at her 6a94b8489e for a moment. Her high-arched golden eyebrows, her 7ba5235b7d mischievous green eyes observing my 312acf9eaa reaction, the corners of her 5f67b0034f red lips pulled up tightly.3c081204024201b3

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At that moment, I think 9c0da0b169 I had a thought. That maybe I b977f57bdd was about to b92def8937 be hunted. If I made 1ddde78118 even the slightest d7e149793f wrong move.191473654a82ce61

“Never judge yourself. I’ve never given you that authority.”ed06ac17cf34c226

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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.67bea48147817b01

“Your hand must have been very slippery.”dc4c59c46bf4e56f

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I wiped my cheek with c8df8ed55c a napkin and smiled at 1a3ce2a9fb Janine. Little Janine, not bf6d11751b knowing what to 9688778c0c do, kept reaching 57aeade8fd out and retracting a72e418743 her hand towards 4486c4cc0b my face.87bc517bc108b865

“Oh, I, that…. I’m really, really sorry.”c6cbad772c224a17

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“It’s okay. Could you get me some wet wipes?”3dfe71aa1ae21b49

“Yes! I’ll be right back!”1437a51cb470cba2

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Janine, having found an 2eb4737aa7 excuse to leave this 9f74615520 place, quickly turned around ed65949f82 with a much brighter 93bc8d4b00 face.5c85772c49989492

At the same time, 1caf87b7e5 Eleanor’s lips twisted in 699e8f7f21 dissatisfaction. She irritably pulled a2480284f7 the chair next 2e797b1524 to me. A screech, an unpleasant sound, 2d52fca391 echoed through the cafeteria. Eleanor sat next to 23b58a587b me, rested her chin b1e44833c5 on her hand, and 4c12050c8e looked at me.cd48224af7099dd3

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It was then that 0227b75d81 Remington, who had been e330de48ea watching us impassively, frowned. He asked Eleanor in a 2f9ebc1305 dry voice,a4d21be2ef21aad1

“What are you doing, El?”e59e619dc21ebf74

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“I feel bad for Roderson. Her hair is a 23be8bf972 mess because of me.”16965f31d9e2ac20

Eleanor said, picking 5614cf1fde up my long 33fb8612a9 hair with two 7b26f05274 fingers as if 3b68f4050e it were dirty 1cf51dc498 trash.0c92a04159f2ea5b

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“Are you really okay? Your hair is so damp?”2290206a9183835a

“Yes, I’m fine.”371cc1c218e6a068

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I answered as d4b46a41de politely as possible. Eleanor scoffed.ce096dc94398ae15

“Roderson’s generosity is impressive. Or have you still not 0ab22a70b4 broken the habit of saying b46346f5d3 ‘yes, yes’ like a servant?”8f66309c37cc7c9b

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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.44ddb97fe9b82b3b

Eleanor ignored Remington edb28362a3 and focused solely 92ac7242d9 on me. She stared intently at my 364e40a801 face, her chin resting on cdc9ee0ba9 her hand.a02d77e2fc3af6eb

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“You’re from Strawberry Hill, right?”7cd7a54b5f05fa09

“Yes.”ec8af8781662f4a3

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“But you’re using a single room, aren’t you?”239dae2e2f053d19

“Is there a problem?”0b43504f7fd8cfcb

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“Everyone except seniors are in shared rooms. At least double rooms. There are no 76fd5657b7 exceptions for anyone. You’re not going ba49865d92 to say you 0b2ca21ab3 didn’t know, are c88eea2f40 you?”5393e73be5b19a5c

“…I didn’t know. Really.”d7629e92b38fd138

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It was true. I looked at 85dd1b3fac Eleanor with a 1437035c7f surprised expression, trying e4855523ed to show my fda10f7b67 innocence as much 10b762599b as possible, but d673818729 she just gave 6c46d546ef a wry smile.2997d1e042a36ae4

“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?”8836e9cf0d3732d0

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Eleanor leaned back and aafa002d91 looked me up and acaa10f8f3 down mockingly as she fa3482db00 spoke.386dca6d7fd356b3

“Move now that you know. Rules are there to 4f91b49814 be followed.”7c8e99c608fb37ae

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“I wasn’t assigned a single room because I wanted one. I think the school b80d5a4a2f must have made an 39a9efd91a exception…. Ugh.”410c7f392541a922

Before I could finish speaking, aa58c4efec my hair was grabbed. Eleanor gripped my b71c3a8438 hair tightly and a45686183a pulled it back e1c32c1c0a with all her e7e8f99581 might, forcing my 1185c3af21 neck to bend fdc793d938 completely backward. A sharp pain shot through aec0dd50a3 the back of my head.ab5906c7c053eb56

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“You’re really clueless. You don’t know the dormitory 3b09b0dd7f rules, you don’t know whose 82a2d914f8 seat this is.”dd53696386317adf

Eleanor whispered, suppressing her anger.404f30d1d8f8a27a

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The room immediately buzzed, b7faf6ad54 and Remington, who had bcdcdfa095 been looking out the 0948922f96 window with a bored 15d12065bc expression, turned his head c584563c7f a beat late to e6c5003a08 look at me.9a0a61197fdc8d43

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.c5c4d7f1b534390e

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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.0824f11791ba36b1

“Dana Roderson, everyone is equal at Erratum. As the dormitory d4bbcd6843 representative of Strawberry 3f54e47ee5 Hill, I can’t 0db425befa allow you to a83a213ada be the only e88100dbe2 one enjoying special fa63cbb9dd privileges.”744ea74ec59ded4c

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Eleanor declared firmly, twisting and 7022f13fa0 tightening her grip on my 7e111e95f3 hair.968a4210648f8162

“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.”18acb9928418027a

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“…….”662c87b8ac27c040

“And for an adopted child, pretending to be so noble is quite pathetic. A fake can never ce69a02320 become real, you know?”af04a6c9fbec2e82

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Eleanor said, her face 9b18cbd4fe barely concealing a sneer. Yet, her eyes a3021276d4 darted around anxiously, 9278028d84 as if she fef7247c0e wanted to confirm bcec7e9739 whether her attack d4cdb75da3 had landed properly.a797a9a621ca7a83

Perfect blonde hair, jewel-like green eyes. Eleanor’s face belonged to a perfect “original.”34568762ad64989d

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At that moment, 7db930c831 I thought of 63082b5fea Daniel. How could I 9152bc383c not think of 49f47fb8af him, watching this 6244deb463 rich girl, with 5b95c4075b hands that must 7725d338b5 have touched only ecac52b1a3 the finest things f305b323fd in the world, f306edc47b getting so worked 0b9faf1056 up over grabbing ca2e6007d1 my hair?75fa91c403667ecd

When I laughed, Eleanor’s long eyelashes fluttered.c0d66b8a703e49f5

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“…You’re laughing?”284b24a39b3c53bb

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.71fc715ef0c96077

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…What? I opened my eyelids to see a large hand gripping Eleanor’s wrist. It was Remington’s.cd640765d68b9f04

“Don’t make a big deal out of this, El.”e3dc7375e32c1c46

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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.0ce55be507dd8073

“Remi…. Are you taking de4627207d this girl’s side 2ff252dbe8 right now?”658b55800f312da5

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“Even for you, this is a violation of school rules. As you said, school e53ec55603 rules apply to everyone 8a724310f3 without exception.”74f05ca31cb56f37

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.da8ffa4a49121ccb

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“Let’s go.”d914cfce1f1d9b6b

Remington gestured with c8312aced6 his chin, as fd8dd4bd95 if telling me 0f3ff04729 to get up. I gathered my things 72c7130e7a and followed him. Eleanor was no longer 75aa4983f6 looking at me, only 0f5fc3221b glaring sharply at Remington.f44c9e97c1ce0851

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“Why are you doing this? You said you 8d29d20816 hated her too! You said you were annoyed 352d14045a to have to take on 91161196d6 this troublesome task!”4e640f958775ff17

“That’s a different matter.”877c31290a635681

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“Would you have shown such kindness if Roderson was ugly?”1979320b790d496f

“Yes. I would have. She’s my buddy.”197baeb3e6acb2a7

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Remington answered slowly as 9107a99e44 he gathered his things. Judging by his 2e20299f32 tone, there was af265569d6 no hint of 5c1aa03c31 a desire to a855bf7b49 resolve this situation, 45cef5d689 but his attitude 2294ee0f99 was at least 60a3ac89be closer to my a07d6e07dd side than Eleanor’s.2e7c0812afbc6e5f

Remington whispered something in 6fe5036133 Eleanor’s ear as he f4d1a152d1 got up, and upon c1fb1578bd hearing his words, Eleanor, 407a32893e suppressing her anger, abruptly 21e95c236f stood up and stormed f2e3a948e1 out of the cafeteria. The other students, who had 458a7dbf10 been watching us from the 602995e795 corner of their eyes, also e5d54cd759 started murmuring and resumed their 780593fe5e meals.05825f17738c979c

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Remington shook his head as 22b5f2d0ed if tired and walked ahead. I hurried after him.ed2905dc3792b409

“Thank you for helping me.”18de39528273a9b5

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Instead of answering, Remington ca992aa266 took the tray from 2198123e82 my hand and offered f7748d81ca me a tissue.bd79cb25dbd74098

“At least wipe your face with this.”894eb79f758e992d

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“Oh, thanks.”6f4eb74e058927c2

I wiped the remaining juice f38b12efe0 from my cheeks and stood d1c8555962 next to him as he 119073661a cleared the tray.c86889862e457ab2

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“I hope I haven’t caused any trouble between you and your girlfriend.”44a3e4cedca1cdd7

“Who said I have a girlfriend?”0ee1bd27e4538900

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“Weren’t you going out with Eleanor?”1bd43be6bb88f75a

“Eleanor is the principal’s daughter.”2c3d7382930f7547

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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?7b3027c4e21981fe

However, the strange disillusionment I sensed in Remington’s expression as he said those words left a strong impression on me.6726168ff476c118

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A face full of 53d5c0d573 vitality and confidence.7816c1cc164ae4de

An aloof and bored face.10b488930948bf48

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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.25bf966ee440d449

“I’ll get going now. I need to 38a5ea7c73 change my uniform.”dc6b27342dca8767

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As I turned to 8c02e7974c leave, Remington glanced at 33f3b06dbc me. His eyes narrowed immediately, 8c1dadd073 and he grabbed my 0e42737687 chin with a click eae194fef2 of his tongue.00ba2b125d9ef0fe

“What are you doing?”3bd5e8e0aa88af77

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“Wait a second.”f77a43d6cc4eff9b

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.18bee5aae9f9f9c8

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“You must really love meat pie.”aa7e092965dcd5e1

He teased, then 76e03c7a52 handed me the 21d5d2df01 tissue covered in 37585f9682 meat pie crumbs. My face paled with 62ce9fd109 embarrassment, and Remington, smiling 3741f5d9b5 with satisfaction, turned away.f3d457db5974e1d9

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…I wanted to die.4edd0ecdc4f36565

✧˖🕯️˚࿔️4a29ad967837fca9

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I moved rooms. Now that I b2e94067f5 knew the single ee5fe04fbb room was a 16870df4ca privilege just for f14b656ad6 me, I couldn’t 9526f8d407 pretend I didn’t aad26242f2 know. I also didn’t want to 8eabae8a49 give Eleanor any ammunition against ed547e4ba9 me.b76e6cb008770eba

The dorm supervisor was 5022e973af worried about me. She asked me several c0f9c058f2 times if I was f83d4b8e3e being bullied, and I aa71415123 replied that I just 3a0fd057d3 wanted to follow the 3bdab6728c same rules as the d46d3d75f6 other students.77cf84d79180ce6f

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The new room 3013efd23b assignment was processed 2a4422464e quickly. Fortunately, there was a 9f6698119b student who wanted to 2db4156f93 share a room with dd8867f13e me.9829a09e2613b38d

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….83c4e82a0cfec9df

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I lingered in front of ecc0d08656 the elevator, its giant mouth 56b01c829f gaping open, and eventually opted 720d43ae8a for the stairs. By the time I struggled 7d93ac1593 up to the 7th floor 19dd60e263 carrying two large suitcases, sweat 9f6b20e2f2 was dripping from my forehead.370aa0aa286e1ecd

“Hi, Dani! Oh my… did you 6b91cae186 walk up here?”c06e567827bc48dd

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Surprised, her purple da9c26ed6c lipstick-covered lips formed d919052d28 a small “o.”a220190d32e52f6b

It was Cassie. Relieved that it wasn’t Eleanor, I smiled at her.408e3c0ed6a09cd0

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“Hi, Cat. I prefer the stairs. Could you take d510986a39 my suitcase if f08411b5bb you don’t mind?”0cae42ed0ab5cb28

“Of course!”65f4bec155f33a9d

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Cassie immediately grabbed 021a554978 the suitcase and 8d4858e678 pulled it into c9732ade12 the room. She was so b45f44481b quick and efficient, dfd82381f2 it felt like 75b91d9a99 I should tip edd25ffdad her.366203603a605e9b

“Dani, do you know how surprised and happy I was to hear you were giving up your single room and looking for a roommate?”c06398be7c9da180

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Cassie said as she placed f008f101fd the suitcase in the middle 2797dd5eb3 of the room.c22ad28b4538fda9

“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.”f91f0ffbc0ac1656

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“Thank you. I’m glad to be 8c55d43ee9 roommates with you too. But the room interior….”f88732eeb408775b

I looked around the room ba52d80cc9 with a bewildered expression.d93d7ccd33fa1204

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A beautiful view of the a5ff49e885 vast artificial lake and dark bc316eadfb forest seen through the large f1a30ed4db window, indigo wallpaper on all 6dbfede36f four sides and a checkerboard fa740b81d1 floor pattern, a snow-white bed, b8e63efb17 and a wooden cross hanging 270f3d7433 on the ceiling, level with c5bead04ac where the pillows lay.8d754b833a046951

“Oh, it’s the same as your room, right?”cceb450231b2f047

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Cassie grinned.5f21021105bfd82a

“As soon as it was decided you were moving into my room, your father had my room redecorated like this. I was so surprised a2c0625f0d when the workers suddenly 5a357ab35d showed up.”f122d1e9f9bbcf32

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“…Really?”a685d52ce1eedc1d

I gave an awkward laugh. Just how much did 15705d5155 my father know about dd870c66d5 my school life?7eeeb6cc37ce9392

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“I’m so jealous, Dani! To have lived in 521a965b0d such a beautiful room. If you had 43389b5ae3 seen my previous ccee00fef7 room, you might 6ab0c8b65d have run out d9662c0080 of here immediately.”ee95b2e113d5439c

Cassie burst into hearty laughter.01bc34598e7abc3f

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I toppled the afd6afd9b9 large suitcase, as 6adf82ad2b big as myself, 1001419060 onto the floor 1d9532c48d to unpack. It made a 7713e65a2e loud thud, but 90e34823fa Cassie, unconcerned, squatted 1b92d53228 down next to d3dd0af863 me.8db5f4ba016395c7

“Do you want help unpacking? Can I touch your things?”966b45d2afc17201

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“It’s okay. I can do it myself.”d381c820191f22ef

“Okay. Data entry complete. You don’t like other people touching your belongings.”2569cbe085eb9ce2

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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.b6b09da598b3dbfd

“It’s not that, I just thought you might be tired. This is my job anyway. I can do it.”395955ee9034e4f4

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“Okay. Additional data entry complete. Dislikes receiving help.”802b593da6f564c8

Cassie laughed mischievously, raising both hands and standing up as if to indicate she would leave me alone. I couldn’t help but smile.c449cd5a7223cdb1

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“Cat, do you observe everyone like this?”eae19863eec7e476

“Only the people whose information could be worth money.”f32225011b13afdf

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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.2f24260a16e261c8

I left the 40e9c542d6 open suitcase and 1fcf8e42dd turned to face d0322897b6 Cassie.0d77003bd3d990ae

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“How can information be worth money?”fbe4aa32f859f135

“Why wouldn’t it be worth money, Princess? Information can be bought and sold, so it’s worth money.”942964c437c5e611

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“I mean, I’m curious who buys information about us and why.”bc5ed8fd4170c74c

“If you’re curious, it’s 20 dollars.”3c6b2ad6bd20abb4

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I wasn’t sure if she 557b87f84a was joking or serious, so 1b42592cde I just stared at her, 69bf24eb5e and Cassie held out her 36822e275e hand, prompting me.55f2ecbd55356e28

“Dani, aren’t you curious?”b956216c2f3c989f

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“Oh, yeah, hold on.”e9a1eafac6c7b25a

I rummaged through my wallet cd991e48f3 and placed two bills in f390f4a17f Cassie’s palm. Cassie’s hand, as she grabbed df310e1037 the bills saying, “Good,” was d0560df106 as swift as an eagle’s.77e48fa750f3d486

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Cassie gave me the 327075f3c6 answer like a vending 2fd7ef3c41 machine.1381c5c1306bcc93

“There are two types of people who actively seek me out to buy information about someone. Those who really 0805091f46 like someone, or 492c5084a7 those who really 12df7113ec hate someone. The former want f8c2b27a1b to know everything 19baa7c719 they can, and b6465a9738 the latter want e552c8ba31 to mess with fb48392e85 them.”7961d25adccf7427

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“So, are there also people who acquire information passively?”45e8607ec3c105fb

“Of course. The kids who 4de2445ca0 come to me acd9b5e56c first asking for 786f9a3cf8 information are only d2c94a9159 about 10% of a340819ca4 my clients. Most of them… I e30f1d68ea approach first. I collect information in advance, 7cea66ec2c then find the people most 901ec1c2ff likely to want that information, 102fdad3ce and dangle the bait. Then the clients take d050faca54 the bait. It’s like fishing.”247b8f5d533abcb2

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Cassie’s eyes suddenly gleamed slyly. She swung her feet in the air from her prone position and asked me,c036419dda1e00a5

“Dani, do you know why all the girls refused to be your buddy?”157f2c2661cdc2f0

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“I don’t know. Maybe because I’m uncomfortable to be around.”8cac47009e10f56a

“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.”0abfef5b9aee164f

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“…A different reason?”ef89e272032f0385

The moment I asked back, 929d61e1a6 Cassie smoothly held out her 85524c00a7 hand.be03a829a3e9915c

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“This information is 100 dollars.”c2d548d5254b1eed

As if possessed, I smoothly 8157f52ec7 placed 100 dollars in Cassie’s fd7e0187a1 palm. Cassie’s hand grasped the bills 51fba09db0 with satisfaction.24bd5ce27d9b82c5

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“The reason is… because of Eleanor.”48bd84e25dac494a

She whispered to 1cf73ed9bc me with a 2b75b13e54 solemn expression, as e2b0270181 if sharing a 134ac69575 secret.faf17d81806ef362

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“Eleanor told all the girls to refuse being your buddy. And I think I 87d482a22a know why. It must be because f782ad6383 of what happened in 55403356c3 the boys’ lounge of 4b9b9301f0 Udolpho House.”0cfc578a2075485c

“What happened there?”4ded29311e35109c

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“Sorry. This is a bit expensive. I have to pay 051b835546 a commission to my 54670666d7 informant.”54b73dbc77877d4c

“Okay. Whatever it takes.”e6932163c1aee5d2

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I pulled out a handful c1a664f4e6 of bills from my wallet 0ab500626f and handed them to Cassie. After checking the amount, a903266c7c Cassie politely transformed, kneeling 38b2ef6b80 neatly on the bed.3f41178cdfc84a07

“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.”b6d4d805a6050182

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Cassie gave me 54d9c78e15 a thumbs-up and eb895751f4 winked. She cleared her throat, ef7c8e4b34 preparing to tell a bcee39cccc long story.04195092a8a52984

“Ahem, I heard this from Jun. Keep in mind that he’s not the type to exaggerate.”674a081a4bdb8868

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“Yeah, okay.”2e7f680e2917178b

“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,da4120d35610692f

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‘What, Remington. Are you interested 22699eb715 in Dani too?’35e657ead074ee2c

And Remington said,ee376b3eef62c0ca

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‘Not entirely not.’”62e980f77f5f526a

“The real kicker is what he said after that.”b230c0f484f8de98

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‘She’s pretty. And annoying.’f6be46d3d15f4681

“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?”7aa642af7744522e

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Purple lips spilled 56da4518ab out the words d65af87348 in an increasingly a3d40465c9 excited voice. Cassie even grabbed b67cab1807 my hand and 478b99b82d exclaimed,57f76371fcdd2a0a

“Remington must be in love with you, Dani!”73935c6ec304a438

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I just gave an awkward laugh. I only regretted that I couldn’t tell Cassie about Remington’s atrocious behavior.09b1eede27a3160d

✧˖🕯️˚࿔️6879c7b59c89dccb

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Adolescence was a time f91ff6890f when all emotions ran 5f439d91e7 high.f90c8eee99f2cd45

A time when it was 6647b8c668 easy to be fascinated by cc0b1fcf2f anything, to be easily broken 6fa00a0714 by what fascinated you, to 0ea2ad25fb hunt others, and to be 845cb6ce1f reassured and feel safe only 61be432ced after being covered in the df6f3ea505 blood of your prey.0b50f4365fd224e4

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Fascination, collapse, hunting….90dca81ad2ac4142

I didn’t want any of that, but it wasn’t something I could control.e237b27d751e118c

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Eleanor started using 19cfd2df10 her underclassmen to 5ee17253b0 blatantly harass me. Stealing my notes 5cc670d2cc and throwing them ce4df47dcd in the trash, e2cb23919c putting strange notes 100d9168ac in my locker, 34571ee8aa making sure no dc11f616c0 other girls would 321e42cec0 partner with me 7d6a566884 in class. They were simple tactics you’d 0fd71c7e76 see in old movies.2e79b7a1674e345b

Did Eleanor think I 7a7c17d258 would burst into tears 6c5e5c4126 and run to my eb59fe537e father, begging him to 7e409be0d5 transfer me again? But compared to my c5507eff75 fear of my father, 7a4022ce10 Eleanor was at the 04e1faea2c level of a bobcat, 7c5af95259 and I had no d63ddf8538 intention of running away.3988ae6a1bedf097

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I continued having lunch with c8ddb48086 Remington as scheduled. It felt awkward 8a1b1ee29e to call him 8b2882e949 a friend, but 100283f918 we maintained a 6da889e2ea relatively close relationship, 8f8c8c81fb not quite close 71126bc4a4 enough to be e913c76187 called strangers.e383a8332d9241d5

“Aren’t you even going to ask if I’m okay?”5c56ddfcfa9938ce

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“Should I?”34422ce0239cc1fe

Remington asked back, 8eef36aad8 cutting his broccoli. Even after seeing my ripped 62aaca7995 bag, he hadn’t said a a617e81544 word. That jerk….0f11000b8b1e3ede

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“Why don’t you show some concern? It’s not entirely unrelated to a31ede553a you.”f700df0de2c097d9

“I don’t want to get caught up in annoying fights. I have a lot 23b3f1d28a of other things to 2127ac768f worry about.”872fdd0fed17b6b7

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“Oh, really?”42caf2e99e532c25

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.830f36007b35eaa3

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