"Let's donate a hundred dollars." Mom's suggestion makes sense, since she, Dad and I are putting money into the raffle together as a family. I'm okay with it, as long as my parents are, as well.

Dad, however, has just set his eyes on an even bigger bundle, which is worth twice as much as the original offer. Mom hesitates. "I'm not sure, Andrew. Two hundred dollars are a lot... But, knowing they're meant for a meaningful cause..."

I intervene. "As much as we need time to ponder our decision, we must do so quickly, or we might lose both bundles."

"You're right, Kaesyn," says Mom again. "Anyway, now that you mention, why don't you help us make this decision? It's only fair because you did so well with your painting."

"If Dad's okay with two hundred, so be it. I can give my hundred; you two can split the rest in equal parts for you to donate. What do you think?" It seems like my idea has struck the right chord as Mom and Dad each pull fifty dollars from their pockets.

I complete the offer with my hundred. Done deal. We reach the Social Circle, which is in charge of collecting donations. In particular, Briony singles me out. "Look at you, Kaesyn... You got such nice prizes with the ticket. By the way, wow, two hundred dollars. Quite good, let me tell you."

"Thank you, I guess... But it's a joint donation with my family."

"It doesn't matter. It's still a good amount." She's right. What matters isn't how much money we pour in for the cause, but that the donation comes from our hearts.

"Anyway, are there other important donations?" I ask out of curiosity. I know, solidarity shouldn't be a contest. On the contrary, the more money, the merrier, no matter who it comes from.

As I await for an answer while Briony checks the book where she takes note of all the money that has been given so far, Jennifer passes by. "Hey, Kaesyn, have you made your offer yet? I give my hundred. Do you think it's enough?"

I remind her. "What matters is that pay this community forward. Let's never forget that, okay?"

"I've heard the Circle donated a thousand dollars together. That's impressive."

"Yeah, they're the perfect example of rewarding the environment they also helped shaping up with their actions." Of course, those dear ladies are flattered to hear compliments over their generosity.

Briony points out, "Yeah, the Social Circle gave away a thousand dollars. But that's not the highest sum that has been donated." What? Who can have raised the bar so high? Perhaps some rich donor I'm unaware of, or a charity organization... I'm not sure.

I think I've just got the answer to my question. The Cosgrove family-mother, father and their only daughter, Ella-Kate-have just arrived. Their smug faces perfectly match their uptight mannerisms and fancy clothes, accompanied with expensive jewelry and curated make-up on the two ladies.

The trio passes by with their lips curled in disgust and pointed glares directed in particular at Briony. Mrs. Cosgrove sneers at her. "Still trying to collect money for that scam, Rountree? Have you even got an idea of where it ends up?"

Is she serious? How can she question the nature of donations? I shouldn't be surprised at how mean spirited she, her husband and daughter are; yet, they manage to amaze me for all the wrong reasons every time. Even though they're still quite respected in town, Jennifer and I hate them, rightfully so.

Briony teaches that snotty lady and her husband a lesson in humility through her reply. "Honestly, if I were you, I'd be ashamed to throw such an accusation lightly, Perla. It's not about flaunting how much money one allocates to charities, it's about the gesture itself." Well said.

The Cosgroves, still salty over being lectured, leave an envelope containing an important sum of money and strut away, still seething. Jennifer and I burst into laughter. My best friend makes such a sharp pun that it fails to go unnoticed. "All that noise, but watch them donating only two dollars." She also imitates their posture. How can one not love her?

Unlike her, I maintain a more cautious attitude. "Jen, I wouldn't keep provoking them if I were you. Let's just focus on getting more people to help raising money."

"You're right, Kaesyn. Sorry. I exaggerated a little bit." It's quite easy to forgive Jennifer. Even when she goes overboard, she recognizes her mistake has been too big to ignore and tries her best to fix things.

We're both distracted by Briony counting the money in the envelope the Cosgroves hastily handed her. "Two thousand dollars. Maybe the highest single sum so far," she says before turning to me. "Do you think anyone else will offer more?"

I hesitate. "Well... You yourself said the meaning behind the gesture of donating matters more, right?"

"Correct. But the Cosgroves don't care about it. They just want to show off their net worth." Yeah, the ump-teenth reason to dislike them all. Sometimes I wonder why they're so arrogant and full of themselves, but then I remind myself finding a reason behind their behavior is pointless. They won't change their ways.

By the way, the flow of money offers continues, until Preston Weddle passes by. Unlike others, he doesn't come with an envelope full of cash, but with a check worth five thousand dollars. Like, what? This is more than even what the Cosgroves, who are known to be huge donors, gave away.

Of course, those three harpies notice and don't take it well. They think Preston is trying to cheat or pull a cruel prank on the Circle. They even make it clear as they single him out. In particular, Mr. Cosgrove pulls Preston's arm and shouts at him to earn his attention. "Hey, young man. Look at me!"

Being polite as usual, Preston does as told and stares a furious Mr. Cosgrove while flashing a genuine smile. That asshat, however, isn't into pleasantries. Instead, he shouts, "Don't you think you can get away with passing a bad check, young man! You're too young for that, anyway."

"My father and I-"

"Being the Mayor's son won't save you, idiot!" That's enough. How dare that orc bark at Preston like that? He needs to be put back in his place or else he'll keep thinking he's above everyone else.

Over the years, I've learnt that staying idle in front of injustice is an affront to those who deal with it and fight it every single time. So, I stand up to that family of bullies. "Leave him alone! He did nothing wrong! It's not like how much he donated is your business, anyway."

Ella-Kate, who has stood with her smug face for a long time, snaps at me. "Shut up! You don't get to talk to my parents like this!"

This brat needs to shut up. I can't stand her shrill voice, her entitled attitude, the way she thinks of herself above anyone else. She's nothing but a dimwitted piece of shit. She and her parents are that kind of people I can't find anything positive in.

I clench my fists. "Then neither you nor them get to talk down on Preston, okay? If you hurt him, you'll get in trouble with Mayor Weddle. Is that what you want?" It takes Mr. Cosgrove thirty seconds to let go of Preston, and thirty more to bolt away with his wife and daughter in tow. What a bunch of cowards.

When the trio is out of sight, Preston recollects himself to mutter a "thank you" in my direction but doesn't give me the chance to return the favor as he leaves in a hush.