A Lie Worth Following

"WHAT" I practically screamed after hearing what my parents just said

Apparently, my parents had finally lost their minds.

Hi. I'm Kimberly Carter—the only daughter of the Carters, the youngest of two, and, according to basically every girl at school, one of the most annoying people to be pretty.

Okay, maybe that last part isn't exactly true.

I have long, thick, golden-blonde hair that falls in soft waves, clear blue eyes, fair skin sprinkled with a few freckles across my nose, and an oval-shaped face with defined cheekbones and naturally rosy lips. I'm around 5'6", with an athletic build that I actually have to work for. But none of that mattered right now. Because my parents had just told me something that was about to ruin everything.

“You're going to a public school in California ” Dad said.

I stared at him.

“I'm going where?”

"You heard him well dear, going to a public school is going to be fun and it will teach you the value of hard work, humility, and independence.”

I stared at my mother, waiting for the punchline.

There wasn't one.

“You're joking.”

“I'm not.”

“Mom, I've never been to a public school in my entire life!”

“Exactly.”

“And you think that's a good thing?”

“I think it's time you experienced life outside the Carter bubble.”

I looked at Dad, hoping no, praying he would put an end to this ridiculous conversation.

He simply nodded.

Betrayal.

Absolute betrayal.

“How long?” I asked.

Mom exchanged a look with Dad.

That look made my stomach drop.

“Until we think you're ready to come back.”

“What does that even mean?”

“It means,” Dad said calmly, “that from now on, you're going to learn what it's like to earn things instead of having them handed to you.”

I crossed my arms.

“So you're punishing me for being rich?”

“No, Kimberly,” Mom said softly. “We're teaching you not to let being rich define who you are.”

"Where am I even gonna stay while I'm there?"

"I have already rented a small house over there and your nanny will be going with you" Mom said like as if that was meant to make it better. The word small practically made my stomach churn

"FINE" I practically yelled while storming out of the room