Chapter 3

• As Emerald hummed along to a Justin Bieber song playing through her earphones, an overwhelming sense of happiness coursed through her. The news had been unexpected, but the idea of having another sibling filled her with joy, especially since she'd been longing to cradle a baby once again. Babies, with their delicate features, have a way of bringing out the best in those around them. She remembered feeling that way when Zack was an infant.
• After gathering the items she needed from her locker, she closed it and was greeted by Annie's radiant smile.
• "Why is your smile so broad today?" Emerald asked, intrigued.
• "You're smiling just as widely," Annie retorted, her arms full with a box topped by a stack of books. Emerald helped by taking the books, earning a thank you from Annie. "So, what's making you so happy today?" Annie inquired.
• "You say that as if I wasn't happy yesterday," Emerald replied, clutching Annie's hefty textbooks to her chest with care. "My mom's expecting a baby."
• "Oh, really?" Naturally, given their shared affection for babies, Annie beamed with joy just as Emerald had when she first heard the news from her parents. "That's incredible. I wish my parents would give me a younger sibling." Annie's voice carried a hint of sadness, which prompted Emerald to hold her tongue. "But I doubt those two even shake hands, much less hug."
• "Oh, come on." Emerald gave Annie a gentle nudge. "It can't be that bad."
• "You've met my father. Do you think he even lets my mother sleep next to him? Anyway, send your mom my best wishes for the pregnancy."
• Annie's quick diversion away from her difficult family situation left Emerald with no opportunity to deliver the heartfelt speech she had rehearsed countless times about not harboring resentment toward her parents. She decided she could always try again another day.
• "You can give her your greetings on Friday when you come over. So, what's with the box?" Emerald asked, steering the conversation to a new topic.
• "I've got a project to tackle. It's going to be an art piece like no other."
• "It's only the second day of school, and you've already got projects?" Emerald hoped her science teachers wouldn't be quite so eager to assign work.
• "Nah. This is for a scholarship application to an art school in LA."
• "Really? That's amazing!" Annie had often spent her Sundays at church, praying for two things: to escape her father's controlling grasp and to secure a spot in an art school. A potential scholarship was wonderful news.
• "I wish you the very best, Annie," Emerald said sincerely.
• Annie playfully pouted. "Thanks, Emerald. Let's—"
• "Well, well, if it isn't Emerald Fajardo," came a voice that Emerald could identify instantly from the distinct clicking of high heels. She couldn't fathom why anyone would find wearing heels to school remotely convenient. The cumbersome footwear seemed like an unnecessary hassle.
• "Hello, Celine," she replied, a hint of playful sarcasm curving her lips as she turned to face the girl who was reputedly the most popular at Standford High. Emerald couldn't understand the concept of popularity; to her, it was just a collection of frivolous antics.
• "My name is Catherine. How many times do I have to correct you?" The truth was, Emerald found genuine amusement in teasing her. There was something delightful about ruffling Catherine's feathers.
• "So..." Catherine's arms folded as she flicked her newly styled hair with intentional flair. "It turns out you're Emerald Fajardo, daughter of Dustin Fajardo. How intriguing. I've always had a knack for sensing wealth."
• Emerald inwardly rolled her eyes, uninterested in such trivial matters this early in the morning. "What do you want, Celine?"
• She gave a dismissive scoff. "Let's be friends."
• Emerald was unexpectedly surprised by the lack of laughter in her own response. "Sorry, I'm not interested. Annie, let's—"
• "What do you think you're doing?" Catherine's piercing, emerald-like eyes—one of the reasons why many boys fawned over her—met Emerald's gaze with something akin to anger. "People like us should stick together. The wealthy must band together to navigate this world. Otherwise, you can't survive."
• "Seriously, Celine, I'm not interested. I don't need your fabricated friendships to get by."
• Emerald despised perseverance in people, especially when she'd already given a clear answer.
• "So..." Celine cast a scornful glance at Annie, who had remained silent. "You'd rather associate with people like her?" Disgust tinged her voice, as if she believed herself to be a superior class of human, perhaps possessing some rare feature others lacked.
• "Will you please excuse us?" Emerald requested, her words laced with a mix of sarcasm and politeness.
• "You can't depend on someone like her, Emerald Fajardo. You'll come crashing down soon enough."
• That was the last straw for Emerald.
• "Listen, Celine. Perhaps, amidst your so-called wealth, you've buried people or stained your clothes with blood, or concealed some unknown secret. That's your burden to bear. As for me, I am quite content as I am. And rich people? That's a laughable concept."
• She chuckled softly, her voice betraying a slight pity. "You aren't rich, Celine; it's your parents who hold that status. Stop flaunting something you haven't earned. So, if you'll be so kind as to excuse us..." She motioned to Annie, and together, they moved to walk past the incredulous girl. "We'll be on our way now."
• "You—"
• By the time Celine could formulate a response, Annie and Emerald had already distanced themselves from her presence.
• "Now, that's what I'm talking about, girl. That's exactly how you handle people like her and Robert," Annie chimed in with excitement.
• "I'll pass on the issue with Robert. He's simply not worth my energy."
• "You are so—"
• Annie's words were drowned out by loud music, forcing them to come to a halt. They scanned the corridors, curious as to why Chainz's "Birthday Song" was reverberating through the walls of the school.
• "All I want for my birthday is a big booty hoe... yeahh." Annie sang with enthusiasm, moving to the rhythm, while Emerald watched her with a look of mild bewilderment, as though observing an alien life form. "I wonder if this is our new fire drill alert," Annie mused, nearly shouting above the music, causing Emerald to narrow her eyes in pondering the incredibility of such a statement.
• Just as Emerald was about to respond, she noticed a flurry of students streaming towards the entrance. "What's going on?"
• Her quietly murmured question found its answer in a girl who came rushing towards Annie and Emerald, clutching a small box of pizza. "Emerald! Happy birthday!" The frown that swiftly overtook Emerald's face did not go unnoticed. "Your mom said today's your birthday, which is why we're getting free pizzas. It's definitely nice being friends with you!"
• Emerald donned a polite smile and countered the girl's assumption with a dash of humor, "I'm afraid I don't even know who you are." Beside her, Annie stifled a laugh. "And it's not even my birthday."
• Feeling awkward, the tall girl shifted her glance around. "Well, your mother is outside looking for you."
• Both girls watched as the girl hurried away. Annie turned to Emerald, puzzled. "Why would your mom bring pizza to the school when it's not even your birthday?"
• "That's what we're going to find out."
• "I can't walk around carrying this pizza box," Annie complained, prompting Emerald to swap items with her. They soon found themselves standing on the cemented school grounds. True to the girl's word, free pizza was being handed out—from a gigantic bus. And indeed, throngs of people surrounded it.
• As Emerald tried to locate her mother amid the throng, her attention was captured by a woman's voice calling out her name. A lady, appearing to be in her late forties, made her way toward Emerald with a dance in her step, her sequined gown gleaming under the bright daylight.
• "Oh my goodness, Emerald," she exclaimed as she reached her. "You've grown so much."
• "I'm sorry, but who are you?" Emerald asked politely.