Chapter 1
♤Dawn♤
I don't talk much, but I listen alot.
I listen all the time, watching and observing people from afar.
I find it enjoyable, I remember laughing to myself whenever someone does something embarrassing and thinks nobody saw. Or just reading people's body language. Not that I'm an expert, but I've picked up a few things here and there.
If I'm not staring at people and being a creep, I'm studying. Or reading. Or daydreaming.
I love to get lost someplace else, whether it's on the pages of a book, or my own imagination.
If I'm being completely honest, I'm almost always imagining something. Or as my step mum likes to call it 'living up in the clouds.
It's not nice to hear, obviously. But she's not entirely wrong.
I didn't even notice how many times she was calling my name until she snaps her fingers in my face.
"Dawn!"
I startle." Yes?"
"For the millionth time, PASS ME THE BREAD."
I hurry quickly to hand over her piece, apologising as I do so.
"Seriously, I'm baffled she's even made it this far in life with all her daydreaming. When are you going to finally get a grip Dawn?" My sister says, smirking at me.
I ignore her antics. She only wants to get a rise out of me
April's never been decent to me, always doing her best to upset and one up me. It's painfully obvious she's insecure, but I just can't understand why. She's gorgeous with her long dark hair, fair skin, and tight frame.
I guess I'm beautiful too, but not in the same way.
'Cause if you looked at us side by side, you'd never guess we were biological siblings. I'm much taller than her, even though she's the older twin ( by ten minutes ). And my darker skin compared to her pale one really sets us apart.
She's beautiful, but only on the outside. I've seen her friends come and go over the years once they got to know her. It's her horrible personality that drives people away. Whenever that happens, she takes her anger out on me.
Everyone does. I'm like a human punching bag to them. Luckily my brother, Leto, doesn't treat me that way.
We're not exactly close, but he always stands up for me when he witnesses how the others treat me.
"Bree, did you get that promotion you said you would?" April asks, her voice an octave higher than usual.
Bree squeezes her fork. Something that tells me she hasn't.
"No, pumpkin," she starts, putting on a fake smile."But don't worry, I've got a brilliant idea. We'll be rich in no time." She kisses her cheek enthusiastically.
Bree brilliant ideas don't usually end well for her bank account.
April and Bree are in deep conversion, talking about God knows what. Feeling a little left out, I try to slip away from the old table and make my way upstairs.
"Where do you think you're going?" Bree snaps at me.
I turn to look at her." Well, it seems like you two don't need my company. I was going to my room."
She snickers.". Sit. I have something to tell you."
Sit? What am I?
But I sit anyways, refusing to argue while I play with the table cloth.
She wipes her mouth with the overly expensive tissue she bought the other day." I heard there are scholarships to be won at your school."
I nod, not knowing where this is going.
"You're going to win won. Because if you don't, I won't be paying for your college."
"What!" I say, outraged." How am I supposed to pay myself? I don't have a job."
She shrugs."Then win the scholarship. Or don't, I'm not paying either way."
I'm about to open my mouth, about to give her a piece of my mind and let her know how selfish she is, but April cuts me off.
"Don't be ungrateful, you little brat. You know how hard Bree works."
Me? Ungrateful?!
April wraps her arms around Bree, as if she's the victim.
Rage pumps through my viens at the utter cruelty, my palms bleeding from how hard I've dug my nails into them.
There are hundreds of students fighting for a scholarship, what gives me the upper hand? I mean, I suppose I'm smart, but so are alot of other kids at school.
I've wanted to go to Harvad for as long as I can remember. Bree knows that. I've been saving up, but my savings alone won't do it.
I scoff." I suppose this doesn't go for April as well, huh?"
Bree gives me a dirty look." No, it doesn't. April's going to pursue her career and actually bring in some dough."
And I won't, of course.
She already thinks I'm a failure.
I stand abruptly, knocking over her drink. I don't bother even looking back at her as I run to my room, slamming the door behind me.
Maybe I should call Leto.
No. That's a terrible idea. He already has his own life to deal with, bills to pay, exams to prepare for.
I sigh in defeat, wracking my brain, trying to figure out how to escape this.
I don't want that scholarship. I want to go to the school of my choosing. And I can't believe April didn't say anything about that. She knows how long it's been my dream to go to Harvad
I collapse on my bed, letting my mind go rampant until I tire out.
When I opened my eyes again, the sun shines dully through the curtains. Letting me know I slept all through the night.
I sigh and haul myself up, checking the time to find I have more than two hours until classes start. Getting ready, I almost forget about what happened last night.
Almost.
A permanent scowl rests on my face as I stomp out of our house, slamming the door behind me purposely. Soon enough, I'm at school with an hour left to spare.
Time flies by sooner than I expected and suddenly, the halls are packed with students, the bell ringing continuously.
I absolutely despise walking through the corridors when it's packed like this, I hate being around people at all. My anxiety swoops in every time. I can't help it.
I also can't be late for class.
Groaning in sadness, I force myself up. Dragging my feet along the ground until I've made it to the first lesson of this crappy day. I drop down into my seat, sighing with relief. I didn't get shoved too hard hard on my way.
I look around, feeling that something is off as Mr. Callow strides in, taking his seat.
The students seem to notice the same thing as the usually smiling Mr. Callow rubs the dark circles under his eyes.
"Are you okay, sir?" Lola asks, a nice girl I've known since kindergarten.
He nods, smiling a bit.
He claps his hands together, standing and making his way around the desk.
"Class, as you all are aware of by now, their are three scholarships up for grabs this year. But do you know for which colleges?" He asks, looking around the rooms as everyone listens intently, me included.
"I won't keep you hanging, but before I inform you, I want to tell you guys personally to try you're very best to win these scholarships. It's a huge opportunity, one I wish I could give to all of you. But sadly, their will only be three winners out of a hundred and fifty students."
I know, it's alot.
"The schools are... Hogwarts, school of-"
I'm kidding, he never said that. I wish.
He's still watching us with those hawk-like eyes. Finally, he speaks," The following schools could very well be your homes for the next few years. But only if you want it enough."
Just spit it out.
"Oxford, Harvard, and Kaston."
Everyone gasps audibly, except me. All the air rushes out of my lungs.
Harvard?
I still have a shot.
I can't help the blissful smile that forces it's way onto my face. A small laugh escapes me, that's how happy I am
But also, I feel a slight sense of doubt, too. I try to shove it down, but it's as strong as always.
There are over a hundred students who want this just as hard as I do.
What chance do I stand? Are the odds really in my favour?
Squashing that thought in my palm, I try to reassure myself for a change. I'm smart, a genius even. I've never received a single B on my report cards, let alone a C. I've got this, I'm going to win it.
No way am I going to let my emotions get the better of me.
I smile again, my blood pumping with excitement as Mr. Callow starts the lesson. I hardly pay any attention.
I've got this.
