The Kiss that Sparked it All

Mara just gave a cold smirk. “What’s so tiring about it? No amount of hardship can compare to what you and Victoria have to endure. She’s got to juggle the choir and look after me, and I’m just dead weight. You and Victoria bear the brunt of it, that’s for sure.”

Victoria’s face soured. “If you’ve got an issue, we can talk in private. There’s no need for these snide remarks.”

“Oh? I was just saying you and Dad are working hard, that’s all. Can’t I even say that? You sure like to butt in, don’t you? I already told you I won’t be your responsibility anymore. Can’t I even vent a little?”

Her fork listlessly poked at the food on her plate, and Elton, seeing this, tapped her plate sharply.

“Eat properly when you’re at the table. What’s with the attitude? Is there some beef between you two sisters? If there’s something to say, spit it out. No need for the passive-aggressiveness.”

With that said, the two girls fell silent once more.

On the way to school, they didn’t exchange a single glance, as if they were sworn enemies all of a sudden.

Elton sighed, increasingly baffled by the minds of his daughters.

Peace in the family leads to prosperity in all things. It is such a simple truth, yet why is it so hard to achieve?

From that day on, Mara never initiated a conversation with Victoria.

Days passed, and Victoria began to feel restless.

It was Mara who was at fault, yet she didn’t apologize. Didn’t she have any feelings at all?

Carrying her emotions with her, Victoria went to school for rehearsal. Distracted by Mar actions, she made mistake after mistake.

The teacher may not have said it outright, but her looks were becoming decidedly less friendly.

During the break, Balfour approached her unexpectedly. “If you don’t want to rehearse, just say so to the teacher. Don’t let your personal issues hold back everyone else.”

Victoria was already simmering with frustration, and Balfour’s condescending advice only made her feel more aggrieved. “The teacher hasn’t said anything to me, so why are you lecturing me?”

Balfour frowned. “The teacher might not have spoken, but aren’t her glares obvious enough? We’re all pressed for time here, and we can’t afford to waste it because of you.

Nobody wants the whole batch ruined by one bad apple.”

“Are you calling me the bad apple?” Victoria asked incredulously, pointing at herself as Balfour remained silent.

“If you keep up this attitude, the outcome is clear. Remember, you hold an important role in our class.”

“Just because your family’s well-off, you think you can lecture people? If it weren’t for your parents’ hard work, you’d just be an average student. What right do you have to act so high and mighty?” Material © NôvelDrama.Org.

Victoria had a hunch that Mara’s hostility had something to do with Balfour. The thought of past events infuriated her even more.

As Victoria spoke, Balfour’s expression grew colder. He hated when people brought up his family, especially his parents.

“Victoria, you like to play innocent, but without your parents, would you even be attending the same school as me?”

In that school, nobody came from an average background. One couldn’t get in on good grades alone, and Victoria had no reason to act so self-righteous.

“I’m just giving you a heads-up. Take it seriously or not, it’s up to you.” Balfour swept out of the room after finishing his words, leaving Victoria stamping her foot in delayed frustration.