Tuesday morning felt different from the moment I woke up. The weight of my parents‘ threats pressed down on me as I got ready for school.
I had to be careful. One wrong move, one hint of what they think is an attitude and it was goodbye friends, hello to more suffering.
At breakfast, Ava chatted happily about her sleepover plans with Madison while I ate my cereal in silence. Mom and Dad watched me closely, looking for signs of attitude.
But I gave them nothing.
“You’re very quiet this morning,” Mom observed.
“She must be tired.” Ava answered
“Early bedtime worked out well then,” Dad said with satisfaction.
I nodded and kept eating.
The walk to school with Ava was tense. She kept glancing at me like she was trying to figure something out.
“You seem better today,” she said.
“Better how?”
“Less angry, I guess. More like your old self.”
My old self. The one who never spoke up and never questioned anything.
“Maybe I am.” I said forcing my lips to spread into a smile.
She smiled. “Good. I’ve missed my twin sister. I need you to carry my backpack for me.”
Arthur waved at me from across the hallway, his face lighting up when he saw me. Lily and Daniel were with him, all three heading toward our usual meeting spot.
I looked at them, then at Ava walking beside me toward her popular friends.
I kept walking with Ava.
Arthur’s face fell. I could see the confusion and hurt in his eyes as I passed him without acknowledgment.
“Sorry,” I whispered in my mind, hoping somehow they’d understand while also planning how I can make it up to them later when Ava wasn’t around.
“See? You’re coming back to us,” Madison said when we reached their group. “I knew this weird phase wouldn’t last.”
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I forced a smile. “Yeah.”
But inside, my stomach twisted. I could see Arthur, Lily, and Daniel across the courtyard, huddled together and glancing my way. They looked lost and abandoned.
First period was English with Mrs. Patterson. Except when we walked in, there was a different woman at the desk.
“Good morning, class. I’m Ms. Rachna, your new English teacher. Mrs. Patterson had to take an extended leave.”
Ms. Rachna was young, maybe late twenties, with dark hair and kind eyes behind wire–rimmed glasses. She had the look of someone who actually cared about literature.
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“I know it’s an adjustment having a new teacher without being pre–informed, but I’m excited to work with all of you. Let’s start by going around the room. Tell me your name and one book that’s changed your life.”
The usual suspects went first. Madison talked about some romance novel. Tommy mentioned a sports biography. Sarah rambled about a celebrity memoir.
When it got to Ava, she lit up.
“I’m Ava, and I absolutely loved ‘Charlotte’s Web‘ when I was younger. It taught me about friendship and sacrifice.”
Ms. Rodriguez smiled politely. “That’s a classic choice.”
Then it was my turn.
“I’m Avery. The book that changed my life was ‘To Kill a Mockingbird.’ It showed me how people can be cruel to others just because they’re different, and how important it is to stand up for what’s right even when everyone else is against you.”
Ms. Rodriguez’s eyes sharpened with interest. “That’s a very mature observation. What specifically resonated with you about Atticus Finch’s character?”
“Actually, I found Atticus problematic in some ways. He was trying to do the right thing, but he was still part of a system that oppressed people. Sometimes good intentions aren’t enough if you’re not willing to challenge the whole system.”
The classroom went quiet. This wasn’t the kind of answer twelve–year–olds usually gave.
Ms. Rodriguez leaned forward. “That’s a sophisticated analysis. Have you read much literary criticism?”
“I like to think deeply about what I read.”
“Excellent. I can tell we’re going to have some fascinating discussions this semester.”
I could feel Ava staring at me. This wasn’t how these things usually went. Usually, teachers focused on her while I faded into the background.
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The lesson continued with Ms. Rodriguez asking us to analyze a poem. I raised my hand several times, offering interpretations that clearly impressed her.
“Avery, that’s brilliant,” she said after I connected the poem’s imagery to broader themes about power and oppression. “You have a real gift for literary analysis.”
Ava raised her hand. “I think the poem is about love conquering all.”
“That’s one interpretation,” Ms. Rodriguez said, but her tone was flat compared to how she’d responded to
- me.
3.4
After class, Ava cornered me in the hallway.
“What was that about?”
“What was what about?”
“All that stuff about oppression and systems. You sounded like a college student.”
“I’ve been reading more.”
“Since when?”
“Since I started thinking for myself.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Ms. Rachna seemed really impressed with you.”
“So?”
“So teachers usually like me better.”
There it was. The truth she’d never admit out loud.
“Maybe this teacher actually cares about smart answers instead of pretty smiles.”
Ava’s face flushed. “That’s not fair.”
“Isn’t it?”
At lunch, I sat with Ava’s group again. Arthur, Lily, and Daniel were at their table across the cafeteria, looking dejected. Arthur kept glancing over at me with hurt eyes.
I hated myself for hurting them. But I couldn’t risk losing them completely.
“So Avery’s finally acting normal again,” Madison announced to the table.
“I knew she’d get over whatever was bothering her,” Sarah added.
“She just needed time to remember what’s important,” Ava said, but she was watching me carefully.
That afternoon in English, Ms. Rachna assigned us partners for a project analyzing character development in
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short stories. Instead of letting us choose, she paired us up.
“Avery and Marcus, you’ll be working together.”
Marcus was quiet and smart, the kind of kid who usually got overlooked. He wasn’t part of my ‘outcast‘ group, but he wasn’t popular either.
“Ava and Jessica, you’re a team.”
I could see the disappointment on Ava’s face. She was used to being paired with the teacher’s favorites.
After class, Ms. Rachna asked me to stay behind.
“Avery, I wanted to talk to you about your contributions to class discussions.”
“Am I in trouble?”
“Quite the opposite. Your insights are remarkably mature. Have you considered entering the school’s literary magazine contest?”
“I didn’t know there was one.”
“I’m reviving it. I think you’d be a strong candidate.” She handed me a flyer. “The deadline is in two weeks.”
“Thank you, Ms. Rachna”
“You’re very welcome. It’s refreshing to have a student who truly thinks about literature instead of just memorizing what they think I want to hear.”
I walked out feeling something I hadn’t felt in a long time. Pride?
But in the hallway, Ava was waiting.
“What did she want?”
“Nothing important.”
“She kept you after class. That’s important.”
“She just wanted to discuss my essay.”
“What essay?”
“The one we’re writing on character development.”
Ava’s jaw tightened. “She barely looked at my answers today.”
“Maybe you should participate more.” I s d, feeling smug in my head.
“I did participate.”
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“You gave surface–level responses.”
“They were good responses.”
“They were safe responses.”
She stared at me. “What’s happened to you?”
I looked at my sister. My beautiful, popular, beloved sister who was used to being everyone’s favorite.
“Maybe I’m finally becoming myself.”
That evening at home, while I did my punishment chores, I thought about the literary contest. About Ms. Rachna seeing something in me that others had missed.
I thought about how distraught Ava had looked, I won’t lie it gave me satisfaction and ease but I knew that came with consequences because very soon she’ll be crying to mummy and daddy dearest.
But I let myself enjoy the moment because Ava will definitely not let it slide just like that.
五
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
