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.”

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arm. “Are you jealous of Ashley? You know we have family coming over,

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

my mom was right there, soothing her with gentle words and a soft touch. I used to feel that warmth, but it was a distant memory from another life.

closer, only looked at me for a moment,

happy little family of four,

me a triumphant glance, as if to say, ‘Grace, I’ve

didn’t take much longer than two weeks for my mom’s Instagram to become a chronicle of Ashley’s adventures with our family,

brought a cake once, but it was only for her, and they didn’t

life, I posted something on

Those tw

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Chapter 35

a second thought.

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whole high school years back then

avoided all of them, and the absence of constant conflict with Ashley allowed a significant shift in

absence of conflict with Ashley had a profound

feeling more refreshed and energized each morning.I was able to focus more on my studies and witness great improvements, while Ashley remained stuck in a cycle of average grades.

much effort she put into it, she

my pace.

the second semester of our senior year started, the

but I wanted to be optimistic, so I told my mom about it.

has been struggling with her grades

I understand? No, I didn’t. I never understood why they