Chapter 4

Eva planned to spend her weekends in her room alone and thankfully, no one disturbed her except from Lizzy who came to her door from time to time of which she enjoyed her company. Lizzy was a very vibrant girl, questioning her about the most crazy things.

The weekend remained as though until it was Monday.

 As usual, everyone was preparing for school. Eva just finished putting on her uniform and she stared at herself in the mirror. She took a deep breath, not sure what the day would bring and she left for the living room. She was instantly greeted by everyone. It was not the first time she had been greeted by family but for some reason, this felt… different. She responded, bowing her head slightly

and headed for the door.

“Where are you going?” Her mom asked. As soon as Eva opened her mouth, a knock on the front door was heard. 

A small smile crept Eva face she replied “my ride is here, if you will excuse me”. She walked out the door. She liked this feeling of power over her mother; she could finally love

for herself. She came out to meet Aiden and Ethan. Her eyes lit up in Joy as she ran to hug them both.

“I can’t believe you would walk all the way just so we could go to school together” Eva said surprisingly “walk?, why would we walk when we have a car? Dad is two blocks away” Ethan spoke “and with breakfast” Aiden added.

Which left a smile on her face as they all walked to their dad’s car to drive

them to school.

Later at school, as usual, Alice came to as she called it, catch a little fun.

“hey loser” she said approaching Eva 

“hey dummy” Eva replied with a sarcastic grin, shocking everyone in the room. No one had ever spoken back at Alice and no one expected the class misfit to be the first.

“what did you say to me, witch?” Alice asked angrily.

“Oh, I think I am wrong. A more accurate term would be ‘a dummy or a

failed unplanned project by your mom. I’m sure if she had the chance she

would’ve dropped you, you ugly insecure brat!”.

Everyone in the class was stunned and a few laughs could be heard. This was the first time Eva spoke back and it wasn’t going to be the last.

Alice stood there in shock, tears welling up in her eyes and she felt a lump in her throat. She couldn’t utter a single word. She ran out of the class moments before the teacher arrived.

“Good morning class” the teacher spoke “good morning Mrs. Alexa” everyone responded in unison before taking their seats.

“We are almost done with the term and I would like to inform you all the top

three in class will be moving directly to the honors class.

Eva held her breath, her eyes lit in anticipation and excitement. She has been

working hard for this lately and nothing would make her happier knowing

she made it to the honors class. She’s so close, she could nearly taste the

thrill and delight for her efforts paying off. She crossed her fingers, on the edge of her seat, waiting for the announcement.

“Third place goes to Isabella John…” applauds rang in the air

“…Second place goes to Marcus Timmins…” The class erupted in another ovation.

“…And the first place goes to…” There was a long silence. Everyone waited, not a single soul made the slightest sound. Eva could feel her heart pounding in her chest. The teacher continued “…Eva Smith”The

class erupted in a standing ovation. Eva just stood there, the teacher’s

words replaying in her head, she felt a

rush of joy within her soul. It felt… warm… “So this is how this  feels like”

she thought “… to be celebrated” she felt a tear tugging the corner of her eyes but she held it in.

The delight was out of this world “starting from next class you three will now be attending your class in the honors class” the teacher said before leaving the class.

Still living in the moment, two students walked up to her table, it was

Marcus and Isabella.

“Hey Eva, I was thinking since we are still new to the honors class we might

still have a lot to catch up on and might need each other’s help. So, we

were wondering, do you want to be study buddies?” Isabella asked Eva

She was excited, maybe she could make an extra friend or two but also,she had a reason to not go home early, she nodded with a smile and they all exchanged numbers.

During break, as usual everyone left the class leaving only Eva, “I heard my

baby girl is in the honors class” Aiden said walking into the class, Eva face

lit up “yes, I did”

Aiden grabbed a seat and sat down beside her “I am so proud of you, I

want to ask you something?” Aiden said to Eva, “thanks, what is it? you

know, you don’t have to ask for permission to ask me something” Eva said as she picked up the food brought to her by her brother

“I know, did anything weird go on in that man’s house, like were you treated

badly? Is everything okay? I just need you to tell me the basic things that happened and their behavior towards you” Eva listened has Aiden spoke putting a full spoon of food in her mouth

“ok, mom transformed into this loving caring mother when everyone is

looking, the man’s name is Fredrick. He seems nice and respectful, he has

a daughter named Lizzy. I actually like her and a son named Luke.”

Aiden listened attentively like a detective, trying to decode a hidden message.

Aiden sighed in relief, knowing his sister was okay “Oh yeah… and Luke

asked me if I had a boyfriend, how crazy is that?”

Eva added still eating she didn’t notice when Aiden’s face twisted “I need you to stay far away from that Luke, can you do that for me Eva?” Aiden asked Eva.

She just stared at him then said “sure no problem, and by the way your

food is finished” Eva said handing Aiden back this plate

“you still eating like a cow” Aiden teased in a slightly mocking tone “I do

not” Eva objected, her cheeks flushed slightly with embarrassment.

Aiden smiled at her and patted her head then left her classroom.

The school day went on with its normal activities but this time with no

bullying. Eva was starting to enjoy school more. “maybe my life is not that

bad” She thought.

Eva said to herself and suddenly, something hit her. She always kept an eye

out for her bestie, she hadn’t seen since  all day. Naturally, she would

always come running to her especially now that she entered the honors

class, Eva thought they’d celebrate a little.

Eva assumed that she might be sick or something and she planned to text

her when she got home.

School ended for the day and Eva, alongside her brothers came back home, her

dad cooked her favorite food for lunch and they all chatted and laughed

This was the first time she would enjoy sitting with her family without the

usual tension in the air. In the middle of their discussion a horn could be heard outside. Eva’s father looked out the window. It was Eva’s mother.

They all sighed “your mom is here” Eva’s smile faded away. she got down from her chair picked up her bag hugged Aiden, Ethan and said good bye to her dad before heading out.

Later at night has Ethan was doing the dishes and Aiden busy reading, their

dad came over and dropped a bombshell “we are leaving the State”