I ignored them. I was focused on finals.
My grades were improving rapidly, not just
because I was paying attention, but because I
was sharpened by the harsh realities of
adulthood.
When Mr. Henderson excitedly announced to
the class that I’d ranked in the top 30, Mark,
lost in his love bubble, looked at me in
surprise.
He finally noticed my long hair, once
cascading down my back, was now shoulder-
length. And the colorful beaded bracelet he’d
given me for my fifteenth birthday was gone.
11
After school, he hesitated, then, unusually,
didn’t leave with Lily. He stopped me.
“Jenna, where’s your bracelet?”
L
He pointed at my wrist.
It was bare. I’d worn that bracelet for thirteen
years, while he’d treasured Lily’s gift for ten.
“Threw it away.” It had gone in the trash on
the first day of my rebirth.
He took a deep breath, accepting the fact
quickly. “Lily and I are together now. I know
you don’t like her, but please try to get along
with her. She’ll be your sister–in–law
someday.”
I laughed inwardly. It had taken me five years
of chasing him to become his wife. Lily got a
guaranteed spot in his future without lifting a
finger.
Oblivious to my reaction, he continued, “I
know you’re angry, and you’re avoiding me
because of the sister comment.”
“But,” he inhaled, his voice lacking conviction,
“you can’t force these things. We’re family
now.”
<
He was offering an olive branch, telling me to
drop the act, end the cold war.
“It’s been a while since we had a proper meal
together.‘
“Yeah,” I responded.
His eyes brightened, sensing a thaw. “Your
mom’s cooking is great, I…”
“Slap.”
I slapped him hard across the face.
He turned his head, then slowly looked back
at me.
Tears welled in my eyes. He froze.
I said, slowly and deliberately, “Mark, you’re a
real jerk.”
12
With the college entrance exams looming, the
pressure was intense. I was practically pulling
my hair out.
To relieve stress, Mr. Henderson organized a
class picnic in the nearby mountains, our last
く
group activity before graduation.
I ended up in the same group as Lily. As the
others drifted away, she leaned in.
Her voice was chilling. “Jenna, I saw Mark go
to you after school the other day.”
She whispered in my ear, “It doesn’t matter
how much you like him, he’s mine now.”
I didn’t bother to look at her.
“Do you know why I transferred to Northwood
High in senior year?”
Seeing my lack of interest, she continued.
