I Don’t Need Your Fake Love by Melandia

Chapter 35

They were always telling me that, if I played nice with Ashley, things would go easier for me.

But here was the thing. Ashley’s parents were gone, and mine were still around, but they chose to ignore me over her. So, what made my life any different from an orphan?

It was Christmas. I was in the kitchen filling up a pot with water when Ashley strutted in, all dressed up in her newest dress. “Grace, do you think this dress looks good on me?”

I ignored her and tried to move past her.

But she wasn’t having it. She latched onto my arm from behind. “I’m waiting for an answer.” I frowned, trying to pull

away.

She grabbed my other hand, splashed herself with the hot water, and then let out a scream. “Please no Grace!”

“What are you doing?!” I asked her.

“Who do you think Mom’s going to believe, you or me?” Ashley smirked, and right on cue, my mom walked in and saw the whole thing, just the way Ashley had set it up.

“Grace, if you’ve got an issue, you come to me,” my mom said, her voice heavy with disappointment. “Why would you do this to Ashley?”

Ashley was all teary–eyed, playing the victim. “Mom, please don’t be mad at Grace. It’s my fault.”

0.00%

0 <

Chapter 35

11 222

“Are you jealous of Ashley? You know we have family coming over, and you messed up her dress on purpose?”

a storm cloud. “Grace, you’re grounded. You stay here and think about what you’ve done. Ashley,

and a soft touch. I used to feel that warmth, but it was a distant memory from another

had just looked a little closer, only looked at me for a moment, they might have seen the

left, a happy little family of four,

triumphant glance, as if to say,

my mom’s Instagram to become a chronicle of Ashley’s adventures with our

once, but it was only for her, and they didn’t even share a

forgotten. Before I died in my previous life, I posted

Queen“. Those tw words were what pushed

25.56%

O

III

O

<

Chapter 35

a second thought.

1288 Vorchers

my whole high school years back then living

absence of constant conflict with Ashley allowed a significant shift in my

tension and frustration brought by the absence of conflict with Ashley

able to focus more on my studies and witness great improvements, while Ashley remained stuck in a cycle of average grades.

matter how much effort she put into it, she couldn’t reach

my pace.

senior year started, the school announced

my parents would never come to mine, but I wanted to be

with her grades since her real parents passed away. We’ve already promised to go to her conference.

I never understood why they had a preference