Which is worse?

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Harper’s POV

“Yes,” she answered, then sighed.

“You can stay there until graduation.”

A loud whistle blew in my head, and I could see nine ladies dancing around the room.

“What? Really?”

“Yes,” she nodded with a smile and sat next to me.

“I have an old college friend who stays around here. Her name is Marla. She said you could stay with her since it’s just a few months.”

My heart kicked, and I threw my arms around her.

“Thank you, Mom,” I said with relief, wishing a day like this where everything works my way continues forever.

“But there is a condition.”

The sparks died immediately.

“Condition?”

I loosened my arms from Mom, feeling naive for thinking that something so good would happen without a catch.

“Oh, honey, it’s not a big deal,” she said, waving her hand.

“Marla has a son around your age. He is a little behind in school, and SATs are coming up,” she explained.

I nodded and relaxed, a bit relieved.

“She needs someone to help tutor him. Make sure he gets the minimum score for college, that’s all.”

Mom took my hand in hers, caressing it lightly.

“You are so smart, Harper. I know I have been so inconsiderate toward you in the last few years, so I thought this would be easier for you.”

Be a tutor. That is definitely one thing I’m very good at.

I had tutored three kids for cash last summer.

“How behind?”

Mom’s smile twitched.

“He is athletic and barely has enough time to take care of his studies.”

Code for dumb jock.

But that’s still better than leaving for a new place.

No matter how dumb he may be, I’m confident I can help him make the minimum score as long as I get to finish high school here and secure my spot at Harvard.

“Fine,” I said.

“I will do it. When do I start?”

Mom stood to her feet, hesitating.

“It’s fine. Tell me.”

“Well, I already secured a place in Phoenix and thought we could move in two days after I finalize things at your school today.”

I shrugged, not sure how I feel about how soon it is, but having things go my way is one thing to be happy about.

No matter what happens, I’m going to work it out and fulfill my dad’s dream.

Friday came so quickly. It was like the day was waiting for me as much as I was for it.

Mom seemed sad as she packed my bags and went on and on, lecturing me about behaving and being always welcome to leave there if I’m not satisfied.

I thought absent-mindedly, ensuring I didn’t miss any of my books, and then we drove down to Marla’s place at seven in the evening.

The ride took about forty minutes, and as soon as we arrived at the house, Marla opened the door.

“Lisa, I’ve been expecting you!” she said, hugging Mom like they were still twenty.

Marla was blonde, unlike my thick dark hair, and she seemed sweet.

“And this must be Harper! Oh, you are so pretty. Quite different from your picture.”

“Thanks,” I muttered.

I could understand her surprise. The picture she saw was probably from eighth grade when I had braces.

Mom used it as her screensaver.

“Come in.”

The house was huge, no doubt. Marla’s place is located in one of the best areas in town.

Marla’s husband, Thomas, welcomed us at the table as he served dinner.

“Why don’t I help you get your things up to your room, and then you can…”

The sliding door opened, cutting Marla off.

“That must be my son.”

I nodded, curious to find out how dumb he could be, but then…

Jace Carter.

He saw me and stopped dead.

Water dripped from his hair onto the floor, with a fresh cut on his eyebrow.

“What happened?” Marla asked, walking over to him to check his wound, but he brushed her off rudely.

His eyes went from surprised to vicious in one second.

“What the hell!” he said, his voice low and mean.

“This is the girl moving in? This freak?”

My blood turned to ice, then fire.

There is no way I’m going to live in the same house with this good-for-nothing jerk and tutor him.

I don’t care even if…

I paused my thoughts, clenching my fists silently.

“Jason, be nice. Harper is going to help you with your SATs. Isn’t that great?” his dad said.

“You didn’t tell me the tutor was her,” he replied with so much irritation, like he couldn’t stand my presence.

I wish I could let him know right there that the feeling is mutual.

I can’t believe he is saying this nonsense about me.

If there is anyone who should be upset, then it’s me.

Not only did he mess with me in my first year here, but he also ‘accidentally’ knocked my science project into a trash can last year just before the fair started.

And just at the beginning of this year, he started the rumor that I had a crush on Mr. Davis. Mr. Davis is fifty.

Now, I’m supposed to live with him?

Marla looked between us, oblivious.

“You two are the same age. I’m sure you will become best friends in no time.”

Jace laughed. It wasn’t a nice sound.

“Yeah, Mom. Best friends.”

He jogged upstairs after that, ignoring Marla’s call.

“I’m sorry, Harper. He is not always like that,” she apologized.

I nodded with a smile, rethinking my decisions already.

I tried to weigh the pros and cons between living with this spoilt devil and moving to another school but simply couldn’t figure out which one is worse.

“Mom, how about I spend the weekend with you and move in on Monday?” I quickly asked.

Mom stared weirdly at me, then at Marla.

“I guess… that’s fine,” she said.

Marla and Thomas nodded, and just like that, I managed to escape from there.

I followed Mom to Phoenix the next day and regretted it immediately. It was a seven-hour ride.

I tried to be as positive as possible and see if there was a chance I could get to school from here every morning.

The house is nice, with a balcony.

Klaus didn't move because of his job at the hospital.

Mom and I spent some quality time together that day, moving and arranging stuff, and I eventually went to bed at ten.

I got up a bit later, feeling like taking a break from eating too much earlier, but paused as I approached the living room and saw Mom with someone.

“Klaus?” I mumbled.

My head spun the next second as I watched him lean forward and kiss Mom.

Mom didn’t do anything to resist, and instead…

“Mom!”

I yelled loud enough to wake the neighbors.

“Harper…”

They both turned, startled.

“I can’t believe this,”

I rushed back to the room, slamming the door.

I wanted to believe Mom this time.

I really wanted to believe she truly is heartbroken after James’s death, but it turns out it’s all fake.

I felt like puking, but going downstairs would mean seeing their faces, and I just can’t right now.

I didn’t realize when I started crying and eventually fell asleep like that.

As soon as daybreak came, I picked up my bags and bolted out.

I didn’t tell Mom when I left, nor do I care.

Tossing and turning all night, I had made my decision.

I would rather swallow my anger living with Jace than stay here for even a minute.