Winning My Ex-Crush

Fenella’s POV

That night, I cried uncontrollably. I rewatched the tragic teen romance movie with a sad ending that was launched on cable TV last week. The movie made me cry continuously, and I allowed my tears to flow as camouflage. My mother thought I was really crying because of the movie, not because of Laird.

“Fenella, it’s 10 p. m. When will you go to sleep? Still watching the movie?” My mother came to my room.

“Yes, just a moment.”

I hugged my knees and kept staring at the TV screen in my room with red eyes. My mother didn’t leave immediately. She tidied up my scattered magazines on the bedroom floor to put them on the bookshelf.

“Mom, do you know about Mrs. Evans?” I asked amid my sobs.

My mother looked at me for a long time, then she sat next to me. She took a deep breath, and she hugged my shoulder. I knew my mother knew about what happened regarding Mrs. Evans. The mothers in our neighbourhood must have gossiped about the Evans family.

“Yes. I feel sorry for the boys.” My mother knew how close I was to the Evans siblings.

“Is there anything I can do to help them?” I asked.

I didn’t know anything about adult issues. I was just a weak little girl, afraid of various things, and lacked the superpowers to help Laird, despite his suffering. I wish I could help them in any way.

“There are many things you can do for them.” My mother whispered as she hugged me and leaned her head on my shoulder.Property © NôvelDrama.Org.

“What can I do?” I kept staring at the TV screen.

“You won’t be able to change Mrs. Evans’ decision to leave. You won’t be able to reconcile their parents or change the circumstances as they want. But you can accompany them so they don’t feel alone.” My mother whispered in my ear.

“You can show them that you support them and are ready to provide all the help they need, and your attitude won’t change towards them even though the situation is not as normal as before.”

Hearing that, I hugged my mother tightly and shed my tears. She rubbed my back and assuring me that everything will be just fine.

***

“Come on, dear, choose one.”

My father lined up many school brochures on the dining table in front of me. It was time for me to make a firm decision about school. Furthermore, it would help my parents prepare for interviews and assist me with various registration requirements. Of course, the school fees were not a problem for my father.

“This one.”

Without hesitation, I immediately grabbed the blue brochure. The same brochure that Lloyd gave me. My parents immediately drew in their breath. They were shocked when I chose that school.

“This? But this is a boarding school two hours from Boston.” My mother still stumbled in disbelief at my choice. I nodded.

“This is the number one school in Massachusetts. They have high standards for admission and graduation. The school fee is almost 70 thousand dollars per year.”

My father also stammered when I handed him the school brochure. I nodded firmly.

“I know my capacity, Dad. So, when will you call a private tutor for me? The nearest SSAT test is in May, and the school registration deadline for the second admission is in July.”

“Have you found out about the school?” my father asked again, still shocked about my decisions.

“I have a laptop and internet.” I shrugged and waited for their reaction.

“Thank God! Hallelujah! Fenella, you’re finally serious about your academics! Thank you, God!”

“Fenella, don’t say you’re following Laird,” my mother said. My silence was a clear response, understood by them.

“To hell with the reasons. What matters is that you’re going to the most prestigious school!” My father cheered happily that night.

My days began to be filled with preparing for school entrance exams. There was no day to relax.

Every day after school, I immediately had private lessons at home until night. Sometimes my buttocks and stomach hurt from sitting too much, but I remained enthusiastic about it after receiving encouraging messages from Laird.

Laird himself had been accepted through the first round of applications last February. While the second round of applications in July consisted of a waiting list for vacancies, my parents were actively seeking assistance from various individuals who could facilitate my admission to the school.

For the first time, I felt grateful to be born into the wealth and power of the Baxter family. At least my family’s name played a significant role in fulfilling my desires. Coupled with my own efforts, helped by the best teachers, I felt confident.

***

“Congratulations, Fenella.”

Laird smiled broadly at me in the summer. He shone like pure gold under the morning sun. I hugged him tightly and hoped everything would go according to my wishes.

“Thank you,” I said to him with laughter.

“Thank you, too.” He still hugged me tightly.

“Thank you to me? For what?” I asked.

“Thank you because you made efforts to accompany me throughout high school. I was actually very lonely when I was in junior high school without you. I thought this time you wouldn’t go to the same high school as me.”

“Do you think I’m really stupid and won’t go to that prestigious school?” I asked, pretending to be angry.

“I didn’t say that.” He laughed, and we hugged each other tightly.

Happy? Of course. But if someone asked what our relationship status really was, I couldn’t answer. He also never confirmed, and I didn’t ask much.

I was afraid that something we had would be ruined just because of one silly question about our relationship status. However, I didn’t expect that one question about our relationship would be the most important determining factor for the following years of my teenage life.

For now, I will set aside that issue. At least I want to enjoy these moments. The time when I finally became a student at a prestigious school and experienced it with Laird Evans.

Oh, for once, I felt like a cool kid.