ESS Ch 3

Ah. I let out a short c212d460ee breath and froze. My father looked at me 0bab7158dd while drinking red wine. I wished the wine 6b5d79460d would linger in his fac5094b28 mouth for as long a87a2e89b6 as possible, but he 5e9270654b quickly swallowed the red e650da6edf liquid and opened his 530d982b15 mouth.3febe9254792b7c9

“Terry Tyler.”4ef37b6e46de1012

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My eyes widened 1f178796c8 at the name 0e2e69daa2 I had forgotten dcff1fc11f for a while. Moreover, it was a d0bba7786e name I never thought 60d4f91fd6 would come out of 3238aedb25 my father’s mouth.0aae11c21d1b1938

“You won’t have to see him anymore.”347e7573838051cc

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“…….”5819df79fd211727

“I cut off his support. He won’t be able to return to Erratum until you graduate.”86e222da39b3fde4

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“…Wh, why?”dccbd39609cc548f

“Why, you ask?”937e871be7d4fb78

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My father’s eyebrows slanted. I spoke, cautiously observing his expression.b97fca94d2f9310f

“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….”955d2739d217206f

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“Oh, Dani.”e2cde7e431997050

My father looked at me 34ddc845e0 with pity in his eyes. I knew how bad a fc0c162b19 sign that look was.ea4d2a24ade488b8

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My father beckoned me to 3e91cdfa6c come closer. I got up from 743da3d0a3 my seat and hesitantly b8ac52b7f1 approached him. I could feel ca492508fd Nanny Anna looking 731dc23334 at me with dec5985886 concern from afar.f4706535a500fd01

I slowly knelt down 4cb29ccaaf in front of my aea1490b44 father. The moment I looked up f2b8d1d5e8 at him with fearful eyes, d6f4126a72 a large hand grabbed my 0c01fa1f88 chin and forced my head 02ba89ec7a up as high as it 54a2a5b6ee could go.50326c7c291bd2e5

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“Ugh….”2df74f91eeb8d777

“Dani, who delivers judgment for sins?”cea6f4462e2728b8

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“Fa-father, you do.”02c0d691d217a817

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.90ab28956d2fd11f

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My father stared 7fabc3f7dc into my eyes dff3105d19 with a cold 85066372c2 expression.cfca8f9180f8295e

“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.”42361fc2586b9a3a

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“…….”b2cee35e06b47da0

“If something similar happens in the future, smile first. Smile as kindly as possible f42b045ac3 so that no one notices bcce71c8d6 your feelings. And then, what you have 73cadc8cc9 to do is tell me 8823a61fb9 the name of the person 629e2d90f9 who insulted you. Do you understand?”4c5106205406c7d2

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“Ye-yes…. I’m sorry.”42329dea884a4f59

“Never judge yourself. I’ve never given you that authority.”5483d997af1da671

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“…I’m sorry.”954118c2bd92709c

I nodded like a doll. My body trembled 8c88f72eaf like an aspen 733d4c735a leaf, and my 63d03fba9c palms were drenched 3d499a99b1 in sweat. My father released my 55e452e613 chin and clicked his 5696caa3af tongue in annoyance.32b6f033bac8473f

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“Also, break the habit of apologizing recklessly.”c97d9577951387a9

“…I’m, I’m really sorry, that’s why I’m apologizing.”2d820e84915a92fd

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“You apologize because you’re sorry? Apologies are made when they absolutely have to be made.”1bfe74feb0d16c1d

“Ugh….”6a6e9394de8d7ea3

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My father lightly trod on e9db82e2af my knees with his boots c6c34cfb8b and asked,5f7e80ee236871b2

“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?”cb900db9256f4a0f

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“Ugh….”e2432c7b830375de

“Now you see? How easily you’ve been throwing f9d5985883 apologies around.”4e7f0073ba9e8cec

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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.97f71051e54e0b12

“You have to distinguish between three things: things you have to say, things you can say, and things you shouldn’t say.”6a667b107e1694ff

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My father continued his meal 86d5efc545 slowly as he spoke.301a061e58bbaedd

“People who say what they want are foolish. People who blurt d90ccedb18 out the truth 41e7bd0093 because they want 8a08d48904 to reveal their 668bde63f0 ‘true selves’ are 8b75bce431 even more foolish.”7d3fd5b0b0d28296

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“…….”3dda9a90c68742f3

“A truly clever person knows how to adapt appropriately to the situation. Like a chameleon.”a6dd3972993058ab

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“Yes….”9068bc8b88fd37e1

I clenched my fists 214e42a080 to suppress my trembling cde940d982 and nodded with the c0c1018edf most obedient face I 8f91a55a0e could muster. Red meat was 2e4c4935fb being sucked into fca8607fda my father’s dark 86d6b69632 mouth.e2afcb55b921d000

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I waited on my knees 7208ce3900 until he finished his meal. I missed my sister, Bo, 519bc0ca16 and I felt sorry for e7226e2377 my nanny, who must have 86be933369 been watching all of this.e3cabd2825fdedbc

Only when my 65c9f6d37c father slowly swallowed bc814352b5 the last piece 23024796f6 of meat did 4a22e7f67e he ask another a2bd64e6ef question.db3d2855c99403ab

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“I heard you were choosing a friend to help you with your school life. How did that go?”d8dd5515357e0281

“Ah….”38f44a70541f94dc

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Exhausted, my mind was blank. Even then, fear 91c3460d3d gripped me that 9b3e8aafcb I might be 606f0c17b2 punished if I 2ee6a92414 said the wrong ef34328a0d thing.710ecc6a4b0eaa9a

“…I-it’s decided.”29612ca7b2271c9b

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I impulsively blurted 3315f3e5f7 out a name.7a4a8c35755d2b38

“Remington Howard. He’s my buddy.”7f9ab62a4b5838be

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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.6ced6d75f47f7c79

“Julia Howard’s son?”3fca7c8fbeb196f6

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“Yes, that’s right.”4e25dd560c58027e

“Not a bad choice.”6f6048251e451068

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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.48b3c6cbeb9dfdf9

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.e07748530f6bbbe4

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“Oh, my poor young miss….”1e500c8127479193

Anna, who came to fbf4d1f2ad the room, massaged my 82ab03fafe legs and sobbed for 5fdf5a937c a long time. I wrapped my hand f9bb924ca4 around her hand and f99eb8eabe smiled faintly.fd6f30b3afb98d86

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“It’s okay. It doesn’t hurt at all.”e050800f72673b38

But my smile made 489d940200 Anna’s face crumple even 157ec121e6 more.8a46fc998ca3a391

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“Don’t lie. Your knees are bruised!”26ea906e7604b92c

“It’s not that big. No one will look at me that closely. It’s fine.”5cf66e74e49b98a4

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“It’s not because I’m worried about others seeing it, it’s because I’m worried about you!”5df3fa413226dcb0

Anna wrapped my 1b8fe4f9b4 head in her d4a6a13297 arms and stroked c20edb2001 my back.fb5f96453ca63703

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“Miss, are you taking your medicine properly?”141492202f11fc2e

“Of course.”1b59b9adaa782487

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“Oh dear, you poor thing….”90d8fc93ed2b8294

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.843950dea920c1e1

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“I’m sorry, Anna.”5dcb5d17e135e52e

“For what?”93c31d360f03b230

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“You’re upset because of me. I’m sorry for making you upset.”8d1a2c5e0486b745

“Don’t say that.”383793f18fd51b70

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Anna hugged me tighter. A warm, milky cd56ab2698 scent emanated from 2c737930b7 her embrace. I stayed in 8a025f0383 her arms for b70c4d6e34 a long time.e0d5591ad705ff47

The nanny gave dd9d35f7d4 me another pill, 64ab3e6eb1 and only after 825390e545 watching me swallow e45f5f850b it completely did eee0db78e8 she leave the d323c54442 room.6d0c50bdf2838093

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In the darkened room, 9851895796 I lay in bed c6bdac5a77 and looked up at 6f7a133aaa the wooden cross hanging 5068d592d5 on the ceiling. I thought of Remington d84ddf3e91 and wrapped my arms dc9b501249 around my bruised knees. A stinging pain spread beneath 0d1967ab2f my warm palms.f8d03dc06c0f559a

“A truly clever person knows how to adapt appropriately to the situation. Like a chameleon.”fc9768517144dd87

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I thought about chameleons until 60a3f73194 I fell asleep. The chameleon clinging to d869e3ac4f the rock was dark 6dfcec63c8 gray, but when it 4d8462121c moved to the leaf, cbd30cd0e0 it quickly turned green, 37c7138ecf and the chameleon that 98884bb430 crawled onto the flower 5bf3cffc69 bed shimmered in five abe993a787 colors.6e7ae24beb558689

So what is 6e60eb70f1 a chameleon’s true b7dcfad484 color? Does a chameleon know its 0be6106044 true color?bf4a2a1e32806dde

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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.6428d9d8cc75f201

“Is it still valid? Your offer to be 49d351be38 my buddy.”e514a50b4c17e2fb

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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.”dd9e56db3696d2e3

We went to the principal’s office together, and I apologized to the principal, just as he had advised.03ac0c16942ef571

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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.”c36f4a166955b198

The principal smiled with satisfaction 4e16e41410 at my words and crossed 5e4695fc9b out two lines on his 5aec53b464 notepad. This time, I 23a248204f was certain the 554961869d words were “maladjusted.” 9d8a8c46aa Relief brought a 0396e8bfc1 smile to my cb334d7f17 face. But when I glanced c52146eaf0 at Remington, his face f968fbfa16 was indifferent.b9e36a918bcf545f

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After we left 6511091f22 the principal’s office, 4f1966ef7a he spoke in 4844dca04a a businesslike tone, e56dbadef6 as if reciting add0cb9a6f a manual.56c4f31d6cf05a96

“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.”23cf65797b51b04d

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Annoyed eyes, but a e391c0a3fa sincere attitude.d84cac4663f0554a

The gap he showed 566c8940c7 was strange.af56a7c8ed021cb7

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“Thank you for helping me.”7822fe4cf955991c

I said awkwardly. Remington frowned as 44338aa7c6 if he had db69033d1b heard an unpleasant 9dfe0f6476 word.3ac003261c64cf83

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“I’m not helping you.”24090262373ce564

He finished his sentence and turned around. As if he couldn’t spare me any more of his time.e8ba4400d25dbd2a

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…Right. What did I expect from 9179cffc75 him?8258a7ff076b95f5

I rolled my eyes 42518cf7f7 and paused in the 714e70f7cb hallway for a moment, 6f8866e2b6 when Remington stopped and bd16c0e9fc looked back at me f84c10692e again.ffa2dc9c1d1a60b7

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“Why are your knees like that?”011d6f8d078c13e8

“…Huh?”25c30d7757c47d28

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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.73057198056ca749

Remington, still with a b01f869ee7 displeased expression, said to 2681cd1c41 me,ea178e1726c82d05

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“Either wear pants or cover it up with makeup. It’s perfect for other people to make up weird stories.”acaabf3949b4a570

“Oh, okay….”ac9b6d6100cf96ee

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I nodded in a daze. Remington clicked his b250346fa1 tongue softly and 6e269fd5d8 turned around again. I stared blankly at his 9879bd354d broad, receding back and looked 66defceac0 down at my knees again.ca14b34dc829f25a

I wondered if Remington knew.0ab82eba79fa263e

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That no one b79a48d032 else in Erratum e9ef9e0d23 had asked me f7a2a751a6 about my knees.349b92615283d1d9

✧˖🕯️˚࿔️f884fd845adac611

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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.82c0174b7d58b3f7

“I’m so jealous, Remington. Having a girl as your buddy. Why does the principal favor you so much?”5e444d1d24d32a25

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“You thief. Are you taking Roderson too?”d8f0c318a2732466

Every boy who passed by 0aae67b6c8 threw a playful remark at 015f2a982f Remington. I wanted to hide 8aaea5b6b0 as much as possible, 1e540df70f but Remington seemed unconcerned.f766a084bf212472

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“Don’t interrupt. Can’t you see we’re on a date?”83a6ed4a39028aab

He took my c3d9814fc1 pork chop and 668a4589bd put it on 1dcc4e4c62 my tray, then 233e620b00 playfully snapped at 65d70a7ec8 the people around 5181d45e4e us. It was like adding fuel 8cbc7d630c to the fire of their 392dab7382 interest. The boys cheered and 28ca836948 stamped their feet. The cafeteria floor 58aa1425cc vibrated with a 93c2bd8a88 thump, thump.1bfc3794542c5132

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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.5cf0737c5957b29f

“What’s going on, Dani?”330476a897da37e5

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“Hi, Cat. What’s up?”e871f6137011d3f7

“Again. Again. Pretending you don’t know.”62df72e0a2409aea

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Cassie lightly rolled her d5ca5654fb eyes and nudged my 4577e97fbd shoulder.7cfbcb150ba8a402

“Tell me, Dani. Did Remington ask you ad3357eaf5 to be his buddy 8c6af98eb1 first? Or did you ask him?”c8d9882215d7cc41

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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.12e2d15a490cd5f8

“The principal suggested it first. Remington and I accepted it.”a17f7c3bf6748689

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“What?”c8b92a7b775d7794

Cassie, surprised for 9af549ee91 some reason, covered fdeb7ae2a8 her mouth and 040d0c6708 rolled her eyes.a57b9fab597aeb50

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“Really? The principal?”1613ef44fb11c873

“He said he had no choice. I heard all e680f9a19d the other girls 9498b38616 refused.”a602d75472215c8b

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“Oh, that….”1dd42f68ffdb783a

“It’s okay. I’m not blaming anyone. It’s true that I make people uncomfortable.”bd6db3765cb213c6

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“Dani, wait! There’s something you don’t know.”2f23c4487c25d12d

Cassie urgently grabbed 720a1f3a85 me as I aa2f2275a9 turned to leave. But the moment she was 350fd3350f about to say something, a da0ae1f092 large hand lightly gripped my de05dfc54f shoulder and interrupted the conversation.64c681f265f521e4

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“Hi, Cat. Do you have some a1dd98d919 business with my buddy?”f193c385bffecdf7

Remington stepped between Cassie 36d14d6edc and me like a dfa3008002 guardian.b0d9d81735f0750a

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He pronounced the word “buddy” sweetly, as if it were a nickname like “my honey” or “my baby.”e9ceffa08336122e

I looked up at him with a disgusted expression, but unlike me, Cassie couldn’t hide the upturn of her lips.c854cd5475e88b47

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“Wow, hi, Remington? You know my name?”6b78b7e46a06cf92

“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?”e77eb34741269f52

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“Of course. Absolutely!”726352b672aedb4d

Cassie’s eyes sparkled as 7880e68d89 she looked back and b5de38518a forth between me and 6d9d493e7e Remington.2f2d7da77e958e22

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This is so awkward….de3faa63e1707c1d

I turned my back and left Remington behind. But I didn’t get far before my forearm was grabbed.5b7e0c954254f8d9

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“Not that way.”710b9693731d01ab

The moment a hand a5ab4c7846 slipped under my armpit, 3a29930496 I was so startled f75858a6ef I almost dropped my 39a2e43670 tray. I felt as bb0edaa2f6 if electricity was 93b4a0b5bc running through my e2b8218b46 body.48e0dce647222cae

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“Don’t touch me.”b07f1f1cee374b8e

I reflexively brushed his 0a2f732e7c hand away. Then, wondering if ad39db3e6b I had overreacted, 66fa1822c5 I quickly added 56e3f34d7c an apology.ef6a5e71513ec1c4

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“…Sorry. I was a 067c016e2b bit harsh just bac0d0fc3e now.”c00e940ad5595141

Remington snorted indifferently 3f68660d07 at my words.9689d1597ba839cb

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“Be consistent. If you’re consistently rude, 116d1acbde people might think you 428513b4db lack manners, but if 8b86655142 you’re this inconsistent, you 68b2c72040 just seem crazy.”fd41cbd2c4ea7a1e

He led me 28af60d910 to a two-seater af5501f4f1 by the window. It was a good ab192aac93 spot, separated from the c2e31a7cab other students yet still bbb6d12979 moderately visible.44dd85b2b9868a6b

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“How’s the seat?”53a3748fcb1afadc

“Um, well, it’s good.”3b000a036e7d49b4

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I nodded with an de48d5544d awkward face. I could still feel his fc270217a2 touch under my armpit. It was a strange feeling. My toes, curled up inside bcb25138c5 my tight shoes, refused to cee746b572 uncurl.430d311227005bbf

✧˖🕯️˚࿔️25f56facc9da72b7

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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.f64962a975fdb323

Remington spent most of 7f6ae5a541 his time with Eleanor be990c0fec and others, and I d41d5321ad spent most of my c46a12693a time alone.c25880d085773320

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Even when we happened to 971ad1ca12 run into each other in f8d6baf6c6 the hallway, we only exchanged 5c63f6aa3c brief glances. Neither of us greeted 8005becc23 each other boisterously. We were just two people b6d404a698 who had lunch together twice 3c36e79a2a a week. That was all.b904bb41d587de33

I was convinced dd1c32a1ad we would never 6ac0eb49f1 become close, but 2d3c41890c I was wrong. As time went by, d1f4d57a10 my conversations with Remington 20474b45e1 became more natural, and 6a7d68987f I even started to 57200ffce9 feel more comfortable around 6559eafcfe him.c791b37583b9ee2a

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“How can you eat a meat pie without any sauce?”46855bd3b1852f3d

A sauce cup was placed 1c2560b677 on the table in front 3246359f13 of me with a thud. I looked up to 8d71a56969 see Remington sitting down f29b93051d with an annoyed expression.05e1656de0fb2a6e

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“Thanks for getting it for me.”bbac06e0338d7abc

“Don’t say I ‘got it for you.’ It’s creepy.”8ce79ca0a2b7af10

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Remington grumbled, but he opened 92bdeaacec the lid of the sauce 2e678b3f3b cup and pushed it towards 4fa58b4421 me so it would be 6ce0571dbe easier to eat. Despite his grumpy words, 87abcd6bfe he had a soldier-like 3697f5525e side to him that 502d26fb93 wanted to perfectly fulfill 0f16658524 any task he undertook.abf72ce397aef840

“Sometimes you seem like an older brother.”193c488229fa637b

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“Get it yourself next time. I have no fd32e7eb15 intention of being 6f5ce45032 your older brother.”2495a2c8b2366095

He had said b3dbe420b3 something similar last 9249ce1d24 week when he be86824a35 brought me the 12e01d1c29 knife I had f2927b113a forgotten. He always says things 9481469642 like that.ecf1a3b194731fc5

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As we continued having d7dd723f56 meals together, I learned 5713686740 more and more about e08bfba582 Remington.800e461871157950

That he was two years c396c39816 older than me.a27195067215a2bb

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That he was not 51be8f08c7 only a member of 5314df5b60 the student council but 641a8eced4 also participated in numerous 9f1f9b2c8d club activities like rugby, 0791ff7853 newspaper, and Model UN.311fdd6f1359cedb

That he had never a3c92f6f7e lost his top rank cdd596c82e since entering the school, 205edd1a7d that he rarely slept 0d98847101 more than five hours abb6737d2d a day, and that 891ff5d184 he was a picky fafdb79428 eater.93a4e1838b67e3e3

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He never finished more e9ba562806 than half of his 1ff828936d food. Today, too, there was a 138e67858f lot of food left on 712f16961b his plate. The meat pie even looked bb35a3d602 untouched.9c198baff4133237

“Why aren’t you eating it? The meat pie is delicious.”9d8aee0e992efe66

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“It’s not my style.”e52ccfe047fcdafa

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.1994530e6579272f

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Knowing it was 026acc9a30 unladylike, I cut 042db3648e the pie with b532f835f1 my knife and 494d9b47e5 immediately stabbed a 1577817b36 chunk of meat 99cec43f8e with my fork, 7b20e9c86c shoving it into 8451b09b8a my mouth. As I was ff0f81c029 eating heartily, it 1b6835ec9e was too quiet e9f667077c in front of d711846031 me. I looked up and 1ffdfba02c made eye contact with 2f6f402196 Remington, who was staring 791129ab14 at me.b55c11100f97e0df

“…….”a6746181dea84e01

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He was looking at 5088b2974b me with a condescending 84470ea1dd gaze, like a grumpy 694a6f8286 tycoon reluctantly offering a e1e884ce21 meal to a beggar. Perhaps because of that c40720746c look, the glass of f170df155d water in his hand a98864c96f looked like a sophisticated 6d8e1f6eec wine glass.02c85ee2466a731e

A wave of 49d8d92daf embarrassment washed over 8bf85076a8 me. I slowly straightened my af2e44f755 posture, and a napkin 14ceef3e4f was offered to me.d82b320d23fb0f18

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“Here.”17b564626d29a1dc

He tapped the left 9881c5368a side of his lips, b8d7a49975 as if indicating I ee3767ac31 should wipe it. I instinctively took the 5c0bfa539b napkin and wiped my 6611c85e88 lips, and pie crumbs 9cda1ea8aa came off on the 2e831d71f1 white surface.843cb902e63f44a2

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If it were possible a8b044ee4d to die of shame, b332e0a1c1 I would already be 6b540b8c6a a ghost. If my father 8ab4079f46 had seen this, 9dc2f1c112 I might have adb757f8f7 been beaten until e8228273f5 I bled.7a2516c0fc1841c3

“…I showed you an unsightly side of me.”b2849d505c8de4bf

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“Just be aware of it.”4c5414d701e4c755

He said indifferently, putting the 4eb928e51d fork back in my hand.2e959a143a3cb989

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“Eat quickly. Lunch break is only d0c492594c 30 minutes.”e4e504e01d440d9d

The pie was too fantastic 1a2cdc96ed to put down just because 97807efa58 I was embarrassed. I ate his portion as c119a7c8d9 well with gusto.4523a2d73c4671dd

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While I was eating 189d4b902b the pie, Remington rested 11f6d3120e his chin on his 1f3e665e05 hand and watched me. I felt like 02ea01ba10 I might choke 233f579cc6 under his intense ec4b169729 gaze, but I 1550465942 think I would e2802787b1 have disliked it 29702ed075 even more if 84b6446a4a he had looked beb09166e9 away. It was strange.c3182689ebddd779

“I can’t eat anymore. I’m full.”a1ea84b313f5799c

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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.b0919e6c20774bb5

“Oh my, Janine! How could you spill juice 09e49c99ec on Roderson!”6e99a54ad0ac9bd0

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Eleanor’s refined voice rang out c14f43d77f above me. I slowly opened my eyes fff0f62bd3 with difficulty. The juice stung my eyes.755139b95f96fa19

“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!”c09bbc1de21848d4

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“I-I’m so sorry….”7eb89ba81fea4d32

A girl named cd625eb0fb Janine hurriedly handed 8a2350e05f me a napkin d457dfd71f and bowed her 977ee38c37 head in apology. Eleanor was smiling, b39352e550 and I felt e8eeeae15a the surrounding gazes 1741d94b0a converging on us b8d4720fba again. A headache surged. Remington, still resting his chin 5540b4b46b on his hand, looked at 400fe82d2e Eleanor indifferently.b407688ec9153f24

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“Are you alright, Roderson?”6fa566616c17ad53

Eleanor spoke, anticipating my reaction. I looked up at her a61fb534c9 for a moment. Her high-arched golden 3e5edc36ef eyebrows, her mischievous 1a424c8ded green eyes observing 0c4388c794 my reaction, the c6cd6d81db corners of her f3ca3dfb93 red lips pulled 911d0994a8 up tightly.e94a7f50de698fe3

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At that moment, 6836f66f64 I think I cee837a286 had a thought. That maybe I 55548a512b was about to 76e2d98cbb be hunted. If I made even a49936e3c7 the slightest wrong move.c62e9f86c90410fd

“Never judge yourself. I’ve never given you that authority.”18f69dbf999dc90e

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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.f5597271e74b8ce2

“Your hand must have been very slippery.”5f35db1eb77fd5c8

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I wiped my cheek with fa1c2609c6 a napkin and smiled at 386e2aea2a Janine. Little Janine, not 386b89d50a knowing what to 2507e65c23 do, kept reaching ddbc5df81f out and retracting 769f81e8ba her hand towards 60e4b91522 my face.b23b10e9635612d7

“Oh, I, that…. I’m really, really sorry.”f4ced3a564565fbf

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“It’s okay. Could you get me some wet wipes?”68cc9e6185838fbb

“Yes! I’ll be right back!”a72e31bba96f4d29

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Janine, having found 6a86de5b4c an excuse to 627b8d8a1e leave this place, 29672421e7 quickly turned around ebab5a55af with a much 45160cf5c5 brighter face.1d7229d36c21cb60

At the same time, Eleanor’s 269ead284e lips twisted in dissatisfaction. She irritably pulled the f236f3a2ab chair next to me. A screech, an unpleasant 747076be8c sound, echoed through the 05f3e196a8 cafeteria. Eleanor sat next to me, e3ca4a1695 rested her chin on her 401b8bc40a hand, and looked at me.675c246152a39547

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It was then that bd81343393 Remington, who had been 614c723b86 watching us impassively, frowned. He asked Eleanor in a 9283223336 dry voice,ede6ffca4e5e92ab

“What are you doing, El?”27543680c6aa1f03

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“I feel bad for Roderson. Her hair is b8573dc24c a mess because 58c60d4f1f of me.”3925f50f5c862c8c

Eleanor said, picking up my eb33a37fad long hair with two fingers 612411791f as if it were dirty 2f7b496c3a trash.bb9046ea639101d1

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“Are you really okay? Your hair is so damp?”1ea84cead7b3baf4

“Yes, I’m fine.”b3d32f81adc8515e

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I answered as politely as a3f1e046d1 possible. Eleanor scoffed.dc1c3278985ead8b

“Roderson’s generosity is impressive. Or have you still not 0321fe658a broken the habit of saying 231f17166f ‘yes, yes’ like a servant?”f3c31a61272edb1f

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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.3d36fbe6d02574ac

Eleanor ignored Remington and 34eaf839ef focused solely on me. She stared intently at 03385f676f my face, her chin 156bf159c5 resting on her hand.786235cd48508fa8

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“You’re from Strawberry Hill, right?”9360cce91d2f48a9

“Yes.”bf6780c12cd1e080

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“But you’re using a single room, aren’t you?”5d06900f5a8ae888

“Is there a problem?”ac61c64675cd13f2

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“Everyone except seniors are in shared rooms. At least double rooms. There are no 545a7834da exceptions for anyone. You’re not going to 797372a191 say you didn’t know, 6eef9d41c9 are you?”577b149f6bf0b4eb

“…I didn’t know. Really.”e686f520b806760c

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It was true. I looked at Eleanor 1ce8132ea4 with a surprised expression, b384a37e4d trying to show my 7c35365f7a innocence as much as 6f8c941a2a possible, but she just 1f6dc17c08 gave a wry smile.949786f19e56b309

“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?”a28b0321b1e47ddd

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Eleanor leaned back e02e8c1e26 and looked me 0abc8d52e8 up and down 81b3c865a7 mockingly as she c812e24f9b spoke.990205823718ca0f

“Move now that you know. Rules are there to be 5819881204 followed.”52097572043e9630

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“I wasn’t assigned a single room because I wanted one. I think the school 8f759e3e57 must have made an 7e65b6e889 exception…. Ugh.”73942e41c882baac

Before I could 3dae5eb849 finish speaking, my aa9f1f90b1 hair was grabbed. Eleanor gripped my 8afd24ac3b hair tightly and e4f6849492 pulled it back cabd8be39e with all her d0df6b1289 might, forcing my 61306c7e65 neck to bend 0b9543c97e completely backward. A sharp pain da02b92caa shot through the f7d1b7fd18 back of my e7128a0cb2 head.de2d88853f5a9b70

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“You’re really clueless. You don’t know the dormitory e89a617629 rules, you don’t know whose a91e634e82 seat this is.”236b3417bea6e699

Eleanor whispered, suppressing her anger.4c81e76a7dab7ace

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The room immediately e2538ed0d3 buzzed, and Remington, c95d0cf022 who had been 257e0b1ba6 looking out the d93ef89559 window with a 5b5c4d35b3 bored expression, turned 3ac3a72ac1 his head a 5caf33b583 beat late to 4ede28556c look at me.58f954301cea2db7

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.3ce9235ddb5079c1

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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.6a133f53fec52c78

“Dana Roderson, everyone is equal at Erratum. As the dormitory representative 17f690eb2c of Strawberry Hill, I 4eb6e9dfa6 can’t allow you to bc629a4dfe be the only one 2fa26a4ad7 enjoying special privileges.”d713c46e2fdc6aa0

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Eleanor declared firmly, twisting 4c0de91e04 and tightening her grip 9e05535273 on my hair.3f60f14a51bfa81a

“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.”35d79254e39a7a37

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“…….”3f50a508e78ebae7

“And for an adopted child, pretending to be so noble is quite pathetic. A fake can never become 46632d3817 real, you know?”7603458d798b6680

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Eleanor said, her face cef408f281 barely concealing a sneer. Yet, her eyes darted 6561c5c0b5 around anxiously, as if e3348011ef she wanted to confirm 99183193d0 whether her attack had 874fdfa6bd landed properly.6982523b637d48ab

Perfect blonde hair, jewel-like green eyes. Eleanor’s face belonged to a perfect “original.”3c0898d1838e7109

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At that moment, 1c90b309fc I thought of b285e67f8a Daniel. How could I not 0f5afdde54 think of him, watching 483b99a6eb this rich girl, with 3de0eb5e5c hands that must have 633a7f9dff touched only the finest be7c06dc13 things in the world, 0c51ef988b getting so worked up 26ddf3e801 over grabbing my hair?e7ff4e09c597af2c

When I laughed, Eleanor’s long eyelashes fluttered.dca8287d77c4c276

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“…You’re laughing?”b534d4a42d92334c

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.fb8bc24704359079

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…What? I opened my eyelids to see a large hand gripping Eleanor’s wrist. It was Remington’s.db70c69036b9a114

“Don’t make a big deal out of this, El.”f9ca64e985edbc84

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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.a947b835ac30e21d

“Remi…. Are you taking this girl’s 7c257ba271 side right now?”ca9462cc2f0403d4

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“Even for you, this is a violation of school rules. As you said, school a367d1ff33 rules apply to everyone c91c829061 without exception.”7025b7adc52617e4

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.1decaf7a2ea5ea20

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“Let’s go.”d5f637f5495f3dc2

Remington gestured with 0b42f27c1f his chin, as bb4425b09e if telling me 82c07b13c2 to get up. I gathered my 33c6524f64 things and followed 680cad18d4 him. Eleanor was no longer looking 22da6d44d4 at me, only glaring sharply 7de36cda1e at Remington.50cae8de892c6973

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“Why are you doing this? You said you hated her 1d685b11d8 too! You said you were annoyed d7cd35de92 to have to take on d469aea5fd this troublesome task!”6a41568c8f0050f5

“That’s a different matter.”d605e9c3763b45e5

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“Would you have shown such kindness if Roderson was ugly?”16d10ec2674b730c

“Yes. I would have. She’s my buddy.”917a75867b268f19

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Remington answered slowly as he 5ca785c0e2 gathered his things. Judging by his 790a02e185 tone, there was 5ddc9a3edb no hint of e6f0d597ae a desire to 8d395e3eab resolve this situation, 4f6b81695e but his attitude b6da5df6ae was at least ada12c96e2 closer to my 39d8790154 side than Eleanor’s.7dee2a39011ce173

Remington whispered something in a6a6f710ba Eleanor’s ear as he 31a6c47f48 got up, and upon eba5392f6f hearing his words, Eleanor, 8336491051 suppressing her anger, abruptly 82ff3fd098 stood up and stormed 6d5725f7d2 out of the cafeteria. The other students, 7a81e3a704 who had been c8374d4a1e watching us from 06ab454a0f the corner of f7b552fc1b their eyes, also 283eb21be2 started murmuring and 693936964f resumed their meals.f378066de69cc868

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Remington shook his 3797316a6e head as if 1ac422fb3b tired and walked aefc95b05a ahead. I hurried after him.9d5620a83014d38e

“Thank you for helping me.”59e170e8dbc4ddfa

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Instead of answering, 6e1b705594 Remington took the 797c372334 tray from my 1ceff5ad84 hand and offered 08448cb8e8 me a tissue.6d036eb126f3e1ba

“At least wipe your face with this.”db94878185fe3052

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“Oh, thanks.”a98e1b343e5e2677

I wiped the 6df2ae277e remaining juice from e6654219ef my cheeks and 54fc264869 stood next to 2f675a26e8 him as he 116664b821 cleared the tray.748e2c5fe41def99

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“I hope I haven’t caused any trouble between you and your girlfriend.”961e260cafd7a62d

“Who said I have a girlfriend?”2bc780c005d6b4ab

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“Weren’t you going out with Eleanor?”d02a4d1679136c7b

“Eleanor is the principal’s daughter.”bf8110e39021bd16

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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?76b5342a3b0052d6

However, the strange disillusionment I sensed in Remington’s expression as he said those words left a strong impression on me.7096af7958343e28

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A face full of af718bfbc7 vitality and confidence.d5a2d78dc2acc35d

An aloof and bored face.6a08756eb908ff2c

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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.5f7ce789b31dacff

“I’ll get going now. I need to 3e774e6c9a change my uniform.”7c8742ad5c5a51a6

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As I turned to leave, fd68cdcfe8 Remington glanced at me. His eyes narrowed aaa7dc8f32 immediately, and he a8159ec753 grabbed my chin 9e4ebc91a8 with a click addce14e52 of his tongue.54f2fabb2f14d101

“What are you doing?”e014a181c23d4d5e

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“Wait a second.”b3d448622e43a8d6

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.5f146a1f868538d9

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“You must really love meat pie.”bbdd1d70847f5183

He teased, then handed fe2ef00c17 me the tissue covered 1d69e28607 in meat pie crumbs. My face paled c8a91ae1cb with embarrassment, and 7d1fdd0eaf Remington, smiling with 6a5014ea94 satisfaction, turned away.cfb104c257dea61c

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…I wanted to die.459655fc99327031

✧˖🕯️˚࿔️89ca5ce430aaaefb

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I moved rooms. Now that I knew 70e7cc4340 the single room was 6af3ae9b89 a privilege just for 39f956702d me, I couldn’t pretend abf3fc097c I didn’t know. I also didn’t 3c6447d5d0 want to give eda18c236b Eleanor any ammunition 65d3683446 against me.fccafff51f88d4ec

The dorm supervisor was 7a79b43ad9 worried about me. She asked me 46fe34bce6 several times if 32a97d2562 I was being 5c6d3fc3cb bullied, and I 62a57cee1e replied that I cd8807bcaa just wanted to e95c12b8f2 follow the same 10ff9591d8 rules as the bb8d039012 other students.7a68007e814440d1

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The new room 573a47cba0 assignment was processed 6fa878819b quickly. Fortunately, there was e188c37fc7 a student who 32c5d080af wanted to share 6e34eed106 a room with 5490fdddfb me.8bf52a0f386f455c

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….047adad2786f2699

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I lingered in front 91df69f43e of the elevator, its a4adb7a195 giant mouth gaping open, fe464129e3 and eventually opted for b5084f2813 the stairs. By the time f1ba28b91c I struggled up 6edfeff102 to the 7th 7e45f8e1d9 floor carrying two 5b33a24ae2 large suitcases, sweat 8e8f9dc84e was dripping from 8888063a4f my forehead.21c4c2ac4929d362

“Hi, Dani! Oh my… did you walk 54f5aa0e74 up here?”f388bfa39dbd6658

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Surprised, her purple lipstick-covered lips ec49485429 formed a small “o.”ea22a262ca7815d0

It was Cassie. Relieved that it wasn’t Eleanor, I smiled at her.015ae7ce55ff87cd

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“Hi, Cat. I prefer the stairs. Could you take my fdd9e6a5a7 suitcase if you don’t 51a3abd237 mind?”c40c6db3db1eb7af

“Of course!”454cc39d04364b76

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Cassie immediately grabbed the suitcase 019dd58c6e and pulled it into the 418f9ad170 room. She was so quick a145a8028c and efficient, it felt cd53f18e21 like I should tip 940d45781c her.2f47a3c68e2dde3f

“Dani, do you know how surprised and happy I was to hear you were giving up your single room and looking for a roommate?”7a0a5f72206e37f5

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Cassie said as she 8b9e5a5edc placed the suitcase in d3a0e6e3bd the middle of the 724b5d4e45 room.1be247fcddeb21f1

“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.”0d05f892657af996

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“Thank you. I’m glad to be 953d56e418 roommates with you too. But the room interior….”aebd66ff33680d7d

I looked around the 1c2a6c1241 room with a bewildered e634e7dd42 expression.e153087c3e5a6cff

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A beautiful view of f9bbcdb64a the vast artificial lake e0dfee6499 and dark forest seen e8cb42f538 through the large window, 6b2bf4ca4f indigo wallpaper on all ff0cd0d065 four sides and a 4db7b38d4c checkerboard floor pattern, a b02a256d9a snow-white bed, and a b857ac25c2 wooden cross hanging on 74841907c1 the ceiling, level with 8efc0f37b5 where the pillows lay.e5af0a1509ce102e

“Oh, it’s the same as your room, right?”1c99070c4716243f

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Cassie grinned.2f751e43d036f586

“As soon as it was decided you were moving into my room, your father had my room redecorated like this. I was so surprised 144eea77cd when the workers suddenly f59c8d50c0 showed up.”4eec528603fbe99e

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“…Really?”eddc8e1bed7c7bc7

I gave an awkward laugh. Just how much did 060331f0be my father know about aafaf44844 my school life?71d1090f1d44f425

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“I’m so jealous, Dani! To have lived in such 7bf01eef0b a beautiful room. If you had seen my ce94b0261c previous room, you might have 107dc3e381 run out of here immediately.”f71d60e57a707457

Cassie burst into hearty laughter.bc08baa50a4a1aea

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I toppled the large 97f82c9ae3 suitcase, as big as f8f58923aa myself, onto the floor 80fb16bfa0 to unpack. It made a loud thud, f81352fbb7 but Cassie, unconcerned, squatted down 6ce9a0e507 next to me.9ca23e5bd67d40b8

“Do you want help unpacking? Can I touch your things?”7a50898fbacea0d5

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“It’s okay. I can do it myself.”8d66070af39c4707

“Okay. Data entry complete. You don’t like other people touching your belongings.”bd1c864c1cc82f08

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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.d1e4ee5db0ba903a

“It’s not that, I just thought you might be tired. This is my job anyway. I can do it.”85aa3c236df3374a

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“Okay. Additional data entry complete. Dislikes receiving help.”447ad88b284e9403

Cassie laughed mischievously, raising both hands and standing up as if to indicate she would leave me alone. I couldn’t help but smile.5470e2c7565da442

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“Cat, do you observe everyone like this?”3486162fef314ffe

“Only the people whose information could be worth money.”599ec76204d9b1bb

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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.8a93e51c28c35497

I left the open 5f9487d451 suitcase and turned to dee763a7b4 face Cassie.c6619883984c2381

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“How can information be worth money?”51db1dcfb80ce7e1

“Why wouldn’t it be worth money, Princess? Information can be bought and sold, so it’s worth money.”e582758a8106d76f

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“I mean, I’m curious who buys information about us and why.”158cced3094865d2

“If you’re curious, it’s 20 dollars.”6d04f36ffe0dd04e

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I wasn’t sure if she 46ac0f87b6 was joking or serious, so e382b88053 I just stared at her, 8633dd8829 and Cassie held out her 996052667e hand, prompting me.2037b475c08d5de4

“Dani, aren’t you curious?”4ed22242149c4cf3

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“Oh, yeah, hold on.”71d3df1b86cf790a

I rummaged through my wallet 2f19e503ba and placed two bills in be13823f61 Cassie’s palm. Cassie’s hand, as eb74250508 she grabbed the 354580990b bills saying, “Good,” 619dcb6e27 was as swift 4d216febea as an eagle’s.fe968f6dcc59d656

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Cassie gave me 72557a4926 the answer like 595b066004 a vending machine.69a8a613c2bbdd86

“There are two types of people who actively seek me out to buy information about someone. Those who really like 3989766724 someone, or those who 1269e682b5 really hate someone. The former want to 0aed6e07cc know everything they can, 68e751836e and the latter want 8b4f26ed53 to mess with them.”14a9fca3a8573f8a

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“So, are there also people who acquire information passively?”f4f37cf368e253f9

“Of course. The kids who cf0f34a269 come to me 3780394a0b first asking for 3bbc644074 information are only 1f52634bc7 about 10% of a2b31f41fa my clients. Most of them… I approach c1f17bcda6 first. I collect information in advance, 50cb8ecbcc then find the people most 60d836da74 likely to want that information, 7f785b79d2 and dangle the bait. Then the clients 807b40db75 take the bait. It’s like fishing.”9abcf22e66c98c4f

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Cassie’s eyes suddenly gleamed slyly. She swung her feet in the air from her prone position and asked me,a959ff4530e303ed

“Dani, do you know why all the girls refused to be your buddy?”78b31e4316b64f9d

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“I don’t know. Maybe because I’m uncomfortable to be around.”5c043b4cc41333d5

“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.”9cc02180b8aa9009

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“…A different reason?”8eddd8dc4fbf91eb

The moment I 3c9f6d3777 asked back, Cassie 68a83fa72b smoothly held out c36c7319e1 her hand.a3c040064cc2cf36

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“This information is 100 dollars.”d65b228383868e48

As if possessed, 5c0f694230 I smoothly placed 3180007f4b 100 dollars in bfe240b42d Cassie’s palm. Cassie’s hand grasped ae8090a27d the bills with 3d4a7b2380 satisfaction.0ec6be0aab0510e2

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“The reason is… because of Eleanor.”77ec9bf033a02c83

She whispered to 2fc0376a07 me with a 9d7da7b4c6 solemn expression, as 11a3098ecd if sharing a a893b5ebd0 secret.79357ec2f6e2987c

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“Eleanor told all the girls to refuse being your buddy. And I think I 328f351d9b know why. It must be because 5874b3d56f of what happened in fc2d2bb59e the boys’ lounge of 605eda6f89 Udolpho House.”5a6e3868a116e75d

“What happened there?”738ab293995937a5

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“Sorry. This is a bit expensive. I have to 5e6879d8ba pay a commission 2f2c408852 to my informant.”918f537856933ac1

“Okay. Whatever it takes.”16285c82ca1c9175

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I pulled out d5d9736fed a handful of 29a284f992 bills from my 1299ac3ca4 wallet and handed 342ce3f592 them to Cassie. After checking the amount, 877a7d8d52 Cassie politely transformed, kneeling e503cb2c1f neatly on the bed.7bdcde54bf39ef0f

“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.”6b3908916e2e561d

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Cassie gave me 167773a44a a thumbs-up and 821d2f3866 winked. She cleared her 096c55171a throat, preparing to 8435d92b93 tell a long 32585d7019 story.d3adf58e6f4af3cc

“Ahem, I heard this from Jun. Keep in mind that he’s not the type to exaggerate.”90765f9067f80977

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“Yeah, okay.”7fb67901342a362e

“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,0a0f121a5203c8cb

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‘What, Remington. Are you interested in Dani a5c5f7c32c too?’240d6bda9a05b510

And Remington said,2bba601f38863907

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‘Not entirely not.’”63d7fea946d4c4f0

“The real kicker is what he said after that.”03a671cca6d879ab

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‘She’s pretty. And annoying.’74ee1613f542cbea

“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?”ce21dc1d21eb4e46

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Purple lips spilled out 5540d686cf the words in an afb0d926b9 increasingly excited voice. Cassie even grabbed 44f7cce420 my hand and 86e5d3386e exclaimed,d564e35d0796a50f

“Remington must be in love with you, Dani!”1f53fbf46aaca00a

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I just gave an awkward laugh. I only regretted that I couldn’t tell Cassie about Remington’s atrocious behavior.1125a8972fc35b09

✧˖🕯️˚࿔️2f40b822c2fc2542

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Adolescence was a time when c942e33e14 all emotions ran high.55d19186b37fc974

A time when it was 537de1c182 easy to be fascinated by 5ca4e8e085 anything, to be easily broken b5160b8322 by what fascinated you, to 3f4ae9c4b8 hunt others, and to be e58bdabbca reassured and feel safe only 5dc20a4412 after being covered in the fce90e8535 blood of your prey.703a861c45f56b41

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Fascination, collapse, hunting….09afb1782af50745

I didn’t want any of that, but it wasn’t something I could control.257c2aabd600bcbc

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Eleanor started using her b585316c85 underclassmen to blatantly harass 1696b87e18 me. Stealing my notes and throwing 5bbeb93753 them in the trash, putting 4b73507471 strange notes in my locker, 81d165d1b6 making sure no other girls 3e0fc4f41f would partner with me in 4ccb31d24f class. They were simple tactics you’d 82e66ddb1e see in old movies.81fce89e43a51d56

Did Eleanor think 8271d84a59 I would burst ebd3061768 into tears and 8210002596 run to my 6133515189 father, begging him 818dee162a to transfer me a1744732e3 again? But compared to my fear 9c8949d962 of my father, Eleanor was 90cb920ddd at the level of a 6337d178ea bobcat, and I had no 58945d140b intention of running away.26e3aa1cc0f5a820

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I continued having 817c2218b5 lunch with Remington 11dbc4c239 as scheduled. It felt awkward to 3ea330b224 call him a friend, e9f2d44c94 but we maintained a 78c65b711e relatively close relationship, not 70eca474cc quite close enough to fd6eb6ce14 be called strangers.37aefaf37d41bddb

“Aren’t you even going to ask if I’m okay?”3ec442eed872aac2

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“Should I?”f46b20df65085d72

Remington asked back, cutting 2b25d70673 his broccoli. Even after seeing 6675a197e7 my ripped bag, fdb1e80d90 he hadn’t said 68b7d6dee5 a word. That jerk….b7232af759c102dc

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“Why don’t you show some concern? It’s not entirely unrelated to 5ca06ac5ee you.”95226deccea9d015

“I don’t want to get caught up in annoying fights. I have a lot of fc6cf4c440 other things to worry about.”4e5eececa9af5dce

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“Oh, really?”cdc9983c3e6ee866

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.12987c5e161c068e

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