"Do you have everything?" Mom raised her eyebrows at me and Philip as we nodded, shrugging our backpacks on. She smiled at us and turned us around. "You guys will do just fine." She said in a sweet voice.

Philip rolls his eyes. "Totally, everyone loves the new kids... oh wait we wouldn't know, no class has ever had new kids."

I nudged his rib-cage and pointed to the car. "Yes, mom, we're fine."

The blonde haired woman in our living room purses her lips and stood up, walking towards us with a purpose and a fake smile. "You're new kids because your mom is a dirty liar." She blinked, never faltering a happy persona.

Philip took a step forward but I stopped him. "My mom may be a liar, but remember that not all lies are bad. She's a good person, unlike you and your lies."

The lady raised one eyebrow. "And what lies am I living?" She asked, chuckling.

"Nobody is that happy, not in this world. I bet you're secretly crying and depressed under your Botox and fake boobs." I say sincerely, resting a hand on her shoulder. "And I pray that one day... you'll realize this and do the world a favor by moving somewhere far far away... like Alaska!"

She snarls at me, going to slap my cheek. I grab her hand and fake gasp, acting surprised. I grew up with a brother, I know how to hold my own. "You can't hold me down."

She smirks, her eyes full of light. "Oh, but I can hold a gun to you family's head as long as I'd like. Do your job right little girl, or I will pull the trigger."

I throw her hand down and stand up to her. "You may own me, but without me you have nothing."

"C'mon, Ophelia." Philip grabs my hand and we walk out our front door, through the field and to the car.

I turn back to see the blonde lady slamming the door, and our mom watching us through the curtains.

I'm doing this for her. Her freedom relies on me and Philip.

I slam the passenger's side door and look at Philip. "You ready for high school?" I ask.

He shrugs. "No. But who is?"

I laugh and Philip and I start our path to high school. To make sure no more couples fall for the wrong sign.

Only a couple days drive from here.

~~~

Hello hello hello. I'm smiling very greatly right now. Have you ever known something that nobody else knew and you just so greatly treasured that feeling?

Well... authors feel that feeling a lot.

Super short chapter, but it's important. So, Philip eh? What about Ophelia?

Anyone wanna guess? 🙄

OKAY! HAIR COLORS! ALL OF THESE ARE THE SIGNS NATURAL COLORS (EVEN PISCES, AQUARIUS GIRL, CANCER, AND CAPRICORN) god I want natural ombré 🙄. Lol, here ya go.

I'm just curious— did you guys picture Aria a blonde? Or even Aris?

Love you all dearly and....

As always, stay happy, stay gold,
-Dani_Kail