“Vanna, can Mom come in?”
Ivanna, who was combing her wet hair, turned around. “Come on in, Mom. I didn’t lock it,” she replied as she arranged her dark brown hair.
Vita came in carrying a tray. The corners of Ivanna’s lips lifted when she saw the slices of red apple on it. She immediately set down the black comb and took the apples from Vita, her eyes lighting up.
“Thanks, Mom!”
“Hey, hey, hey, who said these were for you?” Vita pulled the tray back from Ivanna’s hands, making the girl pout.
“Aren’t they for me?” she asked, adorably puckering her lips.
Vita pressed her lips together, then shook her head. “These are for Mom, not you.”
Ivanna’s feelings were a mess. She was embarrassed and annoyed. Since she hadn’t eaten an apple in so long, she immediately started acting childish to get one. Just so you know, the thing Ivanna loved most in the world—more than novels—was apples.
“Then why’d you bring them here?” Her eyes stayed fixed on the red fruit.
“Because Mom wants to eat in here.” Vita casually sat down on the edge of her daughter’s bed while Ivanna stood in front of her with a hungry expression.
Her pitiful gaze was aimed straight at her favorite fruit, not at Vita. The middle-aged woman fought desperately to keep from laughing, thoroughly enjoying her daughter’s hilarious expression.
Vita put a slice of apple in her mouth and chewed thoughtfully. Ivanna swallowed every now and then, then ran her tongue over her lips to moisten them. She desperately wanted to snatch the tray and eat everything, but that would be rude.
“Mom, are there any more in the fridge?” Ivanna asked, only to be met with Vita shaking her head.
“They’re all gone. Mom cut them all up,” the woman replied matter-of-factly.
She cast a furtive glance at Ivanna. “Do you want some?” Before Vita could count to three, Ivanna nodded rapidly. She looked at Vita eagerly.
At once, Vita could no longer hold back her laughter. She burst out laughing so hard that the corners of her eyes grew wet. Ivanna stared at her in confusion, her brow furrowed.
“You really are still a little kid, huh?” Vita chuckled, then gently tugged on Ivanna’s arm. She made the girl sit beside her, and the two of them looked at each other.
“If you want them, just take them, Vanna. They’re all for you. Mom just wanted to tease you.” Vita gently patted the girl’s cheek and smiled warmly at her.
Ignoring Vita’s confession that she had only been teasing, Ivanna took the apples first. She ate them eagerly and with great enjoyment while Vita watched her daughter’s expression.
“How was school today?” Vita asked as she stroked Ivanna’s still-wet brown hair. Ivanna’s body tensed, still feeling awkward about the woman’s actions. But she couldn’t lie—she liked Vita’s touch.
“It was really fun. I made a new friend at school. She’s really nice, so it’s easy to hang out with her.” Ivanna answered honestly after being silent for a moment.
Vita nodded. “And your classes?”
“They were okay. Since today was still basic material, and my homeschooling teacher already covered it, it wasn’t too hard.” Ivanna shrugged indifferently.
Lessons like the ones today weren’t a problem for Ivanna because she had already studied everything back in the real world. So reviewing it wasn’t particularly difficult.
“My daughter really is so smart,” Vita remarked, making Ivanna smile.
She knew that, slowly but surely, she needed to get used to this family’s affection. Their love was too precious to let pass her by.
**Clack!**
The sound of something falling drew Ivanna and Vita’s attention at the same time. They both turned toward the open bedroom door, where they saw Izora picking up a hair clip.
Ivanna immediately got up and walked toward the door, followed by Vita. From closer up, Ivanna could see the black hoodie the girl was wearing. It looked like Izora was about to leave.
“Where are you going, Zora?” As it turned out, Ivanna wasn’t the only one who thought so.
“To meet my friends,” Izora replied without looking at Vita, who had asked her the question.
“Classmates?” The short-haired girl nodded.
Vita immediately smiled excitedly. “Take Ivanna with you. You two can hang out.” Ivanna’s eyes widened at that.
Izora shot Ivanna a scornful look, then turned to Vita with an irritated expression. “They’re my friends, Mom. Not Ivanna’s,” she replied, causing her mother’s brow to furrow angrily.
“Why would you say that? Your friends are Ivanna’s friends too. You’re sisters!” Vita snapped, sparks flying between them. Of course, only Ivanna could see them.
“This is a disaster,” she muttered, looking back and forth between them. If no one stopped them, this could turn into a long-lasting problem.
“Mom—”
“I’m the one who doesn’t want to go!” Ivanna cried, cutting Izora off. “I’d rather stay home, Mom. I don’t feel like going out,” she continued, taking Vita’s hand.
The woman’s expression immediately softened. She looked at Ivanna with affection, completely unlike the way she had looked moments ago.
“Ivanna’s more mature now. Girls really shouldn’t be out wandering around all the time,” she remarked, making Izora stare silently at her.
Ivanna winced softly. She understood the meaning behind the girl’s stare and silence. Vita’s words must have hurt her again.
“I’m leaving,” Izora said shortly, then walked away.
“Don’t come home too late, Zora!” Vita called after her, shaking her head because her second daughter was ignoring her advice.
“That child’s behavior is getting worse by the day. I don’t know what to do with her anymore. If only she were obedient like you, Mom wouldn’t have to worry so much about her.”
Ivanna let out a quiet breath. “Mom, don’t compare me to Izora. We each have our own strengths and weaknesses. You can’t treat us like we’re the same or compare us. Izora would definitely be hurt if she heard you say that,” she said carefully.
Ivanna desperately hoped Vita would understand what she meant. She hoped Vita wouldn’t take it the wrong way. She hoped Vita’s perspective on Izora might change, even just a little.
Vita smiled, moved, then suddenly pulled Ivanna into a hug. The long-haired girl jerked in surprise, her eyes going wide as she struggled to understand her mother’s sudden behavior.
“My daughter is so understanding. Mom’s touched that you care so much about your sister. If only Izora could be as understanding as you, sweetheart.”
Ivanna’s jaw dropped. She bit down hard on her lip to hold back a scream. She was so frustrated that she wanted to punch someone right then and there.
_That wasn’t the point of what I said! Were you even listening, Mom?! Argh!_
Yeah, it seemed Ivanna still had a very long road ahead of her if she wanted to reconcile this family and make it normal again.
Just like yesterday, Ivanna came to school with Rayden again that morning. Yep, Izora still wasn’t with them because she had chosen to take a minibus—again—instead of riding in the same car as him.
“Should I walk you all the way to your classroom today? I didn’t get to yesterday,” Rayden asked as the two of them walked side by side from the parking lot.
“No need, Bro. I already know where my classroom is. You don’t have to walk me there anymore.”
“But I want to,” he added weakly. Ivanna glanced at him and nearly burst out laughing when she saw Rayden’s pout.
“Don’t make that face. You look cute.” The girl giggled as she patted Rayden on the shoulder.
Their relationship had improved since they went home together yesterday. Especially during the drive, when they had talked almost nonstop about all kinds of things. Because of that, the awkwardness between them had nearly disappeared. Ivanna was grateful. It turned out getting close to Rayden wasn’t as difficult as she had thought.
“Hey, Ray!” Ivanna nearly toppled over when someone suddenly jumped between her and Rayden.
“Can’t you show up quietly for once?” Rayden asked, smiling through his irritation. Four little stress lines had appeared at the edge of his forehead, while the target of his annoyance only grinned like a horse.
“Sorry, brother. Hey, you...?” The newcomer’s attention shifted to Ivanna, who was looking at him too.
A tall guy who was often the source of everyone’s irritation. His hair was a faded black, more like dark gray. His eyes were deep blue, like a sea concealing some great mystery. Unlike Adira, who had a cute black beauty mark beneath her eye, this guy had an identical one at the corner of his lips, giving him an enticingly sexy charm. This was Liam Pradipta, the student council secretary with a dark past.
“I’m Ivanna, Bro. Nice to meet you.” Ivanna briefly bowed her head, then smiled politely. Even though Liam often had the manners of a delinquent, as a good underclassman, Ivanna had to treat him properly.
“Whoa, what brand of makeup are you wearing to camouflage yourself that naturally? Where’d you hide that paper-white face of yours?”
Ivanna smiled sourly. The quarter of a stress mark that had previously appeared on Rayden’s forehead now transferred to hers. Liam was the very definition of a living source of irritation.
“Expensive makeup, Bro. You wouldn’t understand,” Ivanna shot back irritably. Even so, she didn’t let her fake smile fade.
“Pffft—” Rayden couldn’t hold back his laughter.
Rather than taking offense, Liam joined in with a hearty laugh. “Seriously, you’re not Izora? You’re just as mouthy as she is,” the guy remarked.
Ivanna tugged at a lock of her hair. “This is completely real, Bro. So I’m not Izora. I’m Ivanna.” She clearly displayed her long hair.
“Jeez, don’t make such a big deal out of it.” Liam redirected his attention to Rayden. “I completely forgot why I came over to you.”
Rayden furrowed his brow. “Why?”
“The vice principal’s looking for you. There’s something he wants to discuss. Adira already went ahead.” Rayden’s eyes immediately widened in shock.
“Why are you only telling me now?!” He smacked Liam hard on the shoulder, making the other boy wince.
“Ow! Your little sister started arguing with me! I forgot,” he said by way of an excuse. In reality, he had deliberately taken his time delivering the message. Sometimes watching Rayden panic was just too entertaining.
Rayden looked at Ivanna anxiously. Ah, Ivanna knew exactly what the boy was worried about.
“Vanna, I—”
“Just go, Bro. It’s okay. I can get to class by myself. Don’t worry,” she cut in quickly.
“Are you sure you’ll be okay?” Ivanna rolled her eyes lazily at her brother’s excessive concern.
“Good grief, Ray. Your sister’s just going to class, not a battlefield. Don’t be so dramatic, like some girl,” Liam remarked, and Ivanna nodded enthusiastically.
“Exactly. I’m seriously fine. You should go. It’s not good to keep the vice principal waiting.” Ivanna half-pushed Rayden to get him moving. In the end, Rayden left with a heavy heart.
“I’ll come to your classroom during break!” he shouted before running off.
Ivanna slowly shook her head with a faint smile. Rayden’s excessive concern was understandable, but she still couldn’t enjoy it wholeheartedly. She couldn’t become a burden to him—not too much of one, at least.
Ivanna quickly headed for her classroom. Along the way, quite a few people introduced themselves or simply greeted her. Ah, maybe it was because she had been with Rayden and Liam earlier? The school’s two most popular boys. It could also have been because of Ivanna’s face, since Izora was hardly unknown at this school either.
“Tiara!” Ivanna called cheerfully when she arrived at the classroom. She waved at the girl, then went straight over to her.
Unexpectedly, Tiara immediately got up and moved away, making Ivanna stare at her in confusion. “Tiara, what’s wrong?” she asked.
“I-I’m going to the bathroom,” she stammered, then quickly fled.
Ivanna’s brows drew together. Had she done something wrong yesterday? But what? As far as she remembered, they had parted peacefully yesterday afternoon. So what was going on with Tiara this morning?
“Maybe she’s just in a bad mood.” Ivanna shrugged indifferently. She chose to sit at her desk and prepare the stationery she would need for her first class.
To be continued....