A (VER

ns I had just made of his tenth pu

e so c-co

escaped me at

as still adapting to the changes, the environment was more r

zzles every day. Riddles. Brain teasers.

but I answered them with c

the chain of my thoughts

es

d-dn't solve t

t to show off

He studied me as if I were a stranger wearin

ent," he murmure

I raised

ned, as he nodd

"-You'd bb-e pretty l

was no malice in his voice. Just child

id, caressing

nyone, but I al

ay home these days and take rest. The scho

ght loss plan and had been carefully foll

culous. After five minutes of running, her lungs burned and

dually extending the distance and mentally monitoring my pro

g to endure it, especially since this

e the first blow t

from the evening jogging, only to find

returned from the hospital, perhaps whoring around

t she saw me. "Wow," she

and reached fo

watching her manicured nails. "Because last I checked, thi

clenching tightl

or three people already." She chuckl

ou should drop out of school and work full-ti

ard Ethan's extra crut

our brother wouldn't be crippled and waste

y, you'll only get report cards for failing every

you're just a usele

. I could feel the pulsing

side me. The urge to dismantle

speak, the door o

her shoulders slum

said softly. "

acing for impact. Then her eyes landed on

ena, in fact, I could have made her cry tears of blood j

deserve ano

na, a long steady lo

f now, but next time, s

word, I walked to my r

-

idn't come face to face wit

he food on the table was disappearin

long after dark. Her hands were growi

ena wasn't en

on shackles around our

drinking habit had swallowed everything

ple jobs just to keep

t gave her another warning. Although she denied completely

bed, staring at th

- the thought came as a result

en paid. The school wouldn't refund it,

Even though I said nothing that day

pristine report card re

would outperform her. It wasn't eve

one talked about Veronica's useless step sister or her f

y anymore. Either still running, or successfu

orary. I needed a bette

worried about money. Each completed mission me

he funds were inaccessible. Which m

ded to be do

-

, my school life

grey sweatshirts and pants. That also a few. Due to her weight and bullies she never felt safe to wear an

forehead. Now, Veronica's face looked much beautiful. A

ever underestimate you. I'll take good care of this b

sed to do, Ethan and I w

, dragging his leg

trance, h

's wr

e of candy. "M-my teacher g-gave it to me

m. "Now, I g-give you. H-

mething so simple. So pure. Yet

nd then met his concerned gaze

nior-high building. I watched him, as far as my eyes

rd the high s

nhaling a deep breath, I step

ne shouted across the courtyard... A girl complained a

, it felt

ion had been transactional,

l set, they hired a specia

dicine, some were good at hacking, and some were

s decorated with stickers. No cafeteria p

eronica's locker. It was stuffed with cr

had been unapolo

textbook and shu

room, the chatter died. Ever

's b

't sh

she

the corridor, which I did

ldn't let it go e

suddenly, my foot tripped into something unseen, and

king assh