CONFLICTED

JADE’S POV

Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick.

The wall clock’s ticking sound filled the room. I let out a frustrated sigh and looked back at the question. “This is why I hate math so much,” I mumbled, wiggling my legs under the desk. I glanced around and saw other students working on the problems easily.

“Why is math always so tough for me? Why does it have to happen to me?” I scanned the room and noticed Mrs. Collins walking around, watching us closely. Our eyes met, and I managed a slightly awkward smile, showing my nice teeth. She shook her head, looking disappointed, and moved to another student’s desk.

Even though the AC was on, I was sweating, and my legs were shaking. I loosened my bow-tie and unbuttoned two buttons on my shirt. “This is really hard,” I thought, picking up my pen and chewing on it without really thinking.

I focused on the question paper, trying to understand, but it just wasn’t making sense. Laurel was the only one who could help me right now, but she wasn’t doing math. If only I could pass a note to the guy in front of me or give him a little tap for help. But Mrs. Collins had her eyes on me, and the guy was too busy working to look up.

Out of the 60 questions, I had only managed to answer 10, and I wasn’t even sure about those. I glanced at the wall clock again. “We only have 12 minutes left,” I realized, deciding to take a guess. “They say 3 is a lucky number, right? I’ll just go with C for all of them,” I thought, trying to feel a bit more confident.I quickly brushed my damp hair off my cheek and started marking C for every answer.

LAUREL’S POV

“En garde........prêtes.......Allez....” Coach’s voice resonated as he blew the whistle. I swiftly advanced, ready to engage with my opponent once more. But in the blink of an eye, I found myself on the floor, her sword pointing at me.

“What’s going on with you today, Laurel? Can’t you just concentrate?” Coach’s frustration was evident in his voice.

“I’m sorry, Coach,” I replied, using the back of my hand to wipe away the sweat from my face.

“Pull yourself together. The competition is approaching fast, okay?”

“Yes, Coach,” I affirmed.

“Let’s call it a day,” he decided, leaving the practice room.

“Are you alright? You’ve been losing focus lately,” Gabby, my opponent, asked, extending her hand toward me. I accepted her hand, and she helped me to my feet.

“I’m alright. It’s just been a rough patch for me recently,” I explained, a smile forming as I removed my gloves.

“If you ever need someone to talk to... remember that I’m here. I’m all ears,” she offered.

“Thanks,” I smiled and headed towards the changing room.

JADE’S POV

“I know I’m not exactly lucky, but I didn’t expect things to be this terrible. I couldn’t even get one answer right,” I scoffed, taking a bite of the stir-fry.

“Aren’t you used to this by now?” Laurel mumbled while chewing her food. There was something off about her today; I could sense it in her eyes.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” I asked, concerned.

“What do you mean?” she replied casually.

“You know exactly what I mean, Laurel. Why are your eyes swollen?” I pointed to her eyes. “Did you cry?”

“Hmm,” she nodded, her gaze dropping to her food.

“Your dad? What did he do this time?” I inquired.

“You know,” she sighed heavily, “he’s been getting angry so easily lately, and he’s been staying out at night.”

“He’s always been like that, Laurel. Not coming home every night is nothing new,” I interrupted.

“But there’s something different this time, I just have a feeling. I haven’t seen him for five days now. It’s just...,” she trailed off, covering her face with her hands. “I’m exhausted.”

“Everything will work out. Once you win the competition and get the money, things will get better,” I reassured her.

“I don’t think I can do it,” she admitted.

“Why not?”

“I’ve been struggling to focus lately. It’s like I can’t grasp certain things,” she said, taking a sip of water.

“Don’t lose your focus now. You need to gather yourself and give it your all,” I scolded her in a teasing tone.

“Why does everyone keep telling me that? I am trying my best too. You should worry about how you’re going to show your mom your grades; I’m sure she’ll have a fit,” she retorted.

“We’ll just have our usual argument and then sleep it off, like we always do,” I said, already familiar with the routine outcome of our supposed arguments.

Laurel let out a heavy sigh. “I can’t wait to finish senior year,” she murmured.

“Me neither. What do you say? Rooftop?” I suggested, a smile forming.

“Rooftop. After classes,” she echoed, and our laughter echoed through the cafeteria.Both of us were grappling with our own problems, but somehow, we’d grown accustomed to it, even if it was taking a toll on us.

THEO’S POV

A knock echoed at my door, and I let out a groan, turning my head to the other side and pulling my pillow closer. The knocking persisted for a few minutes, and when my patience wore thin, I sluggishly sat up in bed, running a hand through my unruly hair.

“Come in,” I mumbled.

Diana entered, carrying a tray of coffee which she placed on the desk by my bed.

“Good morning, Theo,” she greeted with her usual bright smile.

“Morning, Diana,” I replied in a hoarse voice, rising from the bed.

“Aren’t you heading to school today?” she inquired.

I stretched and released a sigh. “Nah, it’s too chilly outside,” I answered, making my way to my wardrobe to retrieve a small box.

“I’ll leave you to it then,” she said, ready to leave.

“Wait... I have something for you,” I interjected, causing her to pause and glance at me, puzzled.

Approaching her, I loomed over her petite frame and presented her with the small box. She regarded me before accepting it, opening it to reveal its contents. An audible gasp of surprise escaped her lips.

“You mentioned your upcoming wedding anniversary, so I picked this up yesterday,” I explained, moving toward my desk.

“I can’t accept this, Theo. It’s too expensive,” she protested, bringing out a silver necklace from the box.

“Well, I can’t take it back now. If you don’t want it, feel free to toss it,” I retorted, taking a sip of my coffee.

She let out a defeated sigh. “Thank you, Theo,” she expressed with a grateful smile.

I didn’t respond but continued sipping my coffee.

“I’ll bring the cup downstairs when I’m done,” I informed, gesturing toward the cup in my hand, and settled onto my bed.

“Alright. I’ll leave you to it then,” she responded before exiting the room.

JADE’S POV

I stepped inside and gently closed the door behind me. The aroma of strawberries filled the air, and apart from that, a profound silence enveloped the place. I let out a sigh as I ascended to my room, dropping my backpack onto the bed.

Flopping onto the bed, I stretched my arms wide and directed my gaze up at the ceiling. Everything seemed as it always had been-the familiar home, the routine school life, the consistent uniform. My phone buzzed in my jacket, interrupting my thoughts. Attempting to retrieve it, I found it caught, prompting me to sit up and remove my jacket.

Observing the caller ID, I broke into a smile. “Hola,” I chirped.

“Why are you so cheerful this evening? Did something good happen at school?” Quinn’s deep voice echoed through the other end.

“I wish... it’s just the usual, you know. I often wonder how different school would be without Laurel,” I shared while unzipping my skirt.

He chuckled.

“What are you up to?”

“I just finished painting Claire. I want to give her this painting since her birthday is around the corner,” he revealed.

“Oh, yeah. So, you’re aiming to win over more of her affection?” I quipped, shifting my position and crossing my legs.

“One could say that. I’d rather not have my dad scold me this year. I was envious when I saw the gift he gave her last year,” he admitted, eliciting a laugh from me.

“It’s been a while since I heard your laugh, Jade,” he noted.

“I miss you too, even if you’re hesitant to admit it. When are you coming to visit again? It’s been four months, Quinn,” I inquired.

“I’ll manage to find time next week. How was your day?” he asked.

“Today marked the final day of our exams, and yes, I failed math... again,” I sighed.

“Again?” he chuckled.

“It’s not amusing, Quinn. I can only imagine how enormous Mrs. Collins will make that ‘C’ on my report card,” I lamented, lying back on my bed, cradling the phone with my right hand.

“Don’t worry, it won’t be that bad,” he assured.

“Are you still getting ready for your exhibition?” I queried.

“No, I’ve put it on hold. I’ll resume after high school. Graduation is just a few months away, after all,” he replied.

“Alright.”

“What do you want me to bring you? Pizza?” he offered.

“Pizza,” I confirmed.

“Okay, I should go now. Get some rest, Jade,” he urged before ending the call.

LAUREL’S POV

Weary and drained, I trudged down the street. The glow of the streetlights cast my shadow behind me as I walked. The surroundings were enveloped in silence, and the street appeared devoid of any signs of life.

Gazing upwards, I directed my attention to the sky, where the stars sparkled and winked. I came to a halt, my gaze fixated on the celestial display.

“They’re truly beautiful,” I murmured to myself, a smile tugging at my lips.

A vibration in my hand drew my attention as my phone buzzed. I checked the message displayed on the screen.

“Let’s go shopping tomorrow after school. -Jade”

I let out a sigh, my fingers tapping out an “okay” in response.

Jade was more than a friend; she was someone I couldn’t afford to lose. When I gained admission to OakFroze on a scholarship, I was met with disdain and neglect. Amidst this, Jade was the first to reach out to me, and since then, our friendship has grown stronger. It’s been six years, and she still shows her care by buying clothes for me.

Slipping my phone into my jean pocket, I resumed my journey down the street, heading towards my house.

JADE’S POV

I was asleep when rustling sounds invaded my room. Slowly, I opened my eyes and sat up on my bed. A figure was at work, tearing my design posters off the wall.

“Mum?” I called out, my voice tinged with confusion.

No response.

“Mum, what are you doing?” I exclaimed, swinging my legs over the side of the bed, determined to stop her actions. I reached out and grasped her right hand, causing her to turn and meet my gaze, her eyes aflame with anger.

“You assured me you stopped. So why are these posters still up? Jade, for crying out loud!” Her voice dripped with frustration.

“Wait, Mum... I can explain...” I began, gently attempting to draw her away from the wall. However, she cut me off abruptly.

“Explain? I asked you why they’re still on your wall, Jade. You said you’d given up on this fashion nonsense,” Mum seethed, gripping my shoulders and facing me.

I met her gaze in silence, struggling to find the right words, and nibbled on my lower lip. She anticipated an answer, her gaze unwavering, but I remained wordless.

“Good,” she uttered, her form easing back slightly. “You lied. You lied to me, Jade.”

“Yes, I did,” I interjected, my voice trembling. “Because I knew you’d never give me a chance to prove myself, Mum,” I confessed, blinking back the threatening tears.

“I don’t need you to prove anything to me, Jade. Just let go of this fashion fixation,” she snapped.

“I can’t, Mum. I just can’t. It’s my dream, my passion. It’s what I want,” I cried out, tears cascading down my cheeks. This conversation was like a revolving door, repeating itself for the umpteenth time.

“You’re becoming consumed by it, Jade,” Mum murmured, her eyes bearing an expression as if she were facing a possessed spirit. Her words struck me sharply.

“Mum, please understand. I’m not consumed; I just...” I stepped closer to her, desperate to make her see.

“Mrs. Collins called me today at work,” she disclosed quietly, locking her gaze onto me. “Her revelation about your overall score left me deeply disappointed.”

“I tried my best, Mum. Nobody’s perfect. Please let me follow my own path,” I implored, my voice a mixture of anguish and determination.

“But, Jade, you’ve done as you pleased. Every facet of your life... is it money? I provided it. Clothing? The best school in town? Personal tutors? I granted every wish,” she erupted, her chest heaving with the effort of her emotions. “Why is it so hard for you to do as I ask? Just pass your subjects, secure good grades. What’s so challenging about that, Jade?”

“I don’t like it either, Mum,” I sobbed. “I despise the fact that my peers find every subject easy while I struggle. It’s agonizing to grasp the material taught in class, but there’s nothing I can do.”

“This is your final year of high school. I’ll find you a new tutor for weekends. I won’t allow you to shame me within our family or anywhere with your grades,” she stated, her tone icy. Her gaze then fixated on my torn design papers scattered on the floor. “And these items... I don’t want to see them anymore. I won’t permit you to pursue a career in fashion, Jade. Keep that in mind.” With that declaration, she exited my room, slamming the door shut.

Exhaling a heavy sigh, I hunched down and began gathering the torn papers strewn about the floor. Chaos had consumed the room, and as I worked to restore order, I whispered, “I won’t surrender. I’ll make sure I become what I aspire to be, Mum. Nothing will stop me.” My words were resolute as I continued picking up the pieces of my passion.

Moments of silence passed, and then I succumbed to the weight of my emotions, collapsing on the floor in tears. “Why is living with her so hard? Why?” I sobbed, yearning for the soothing presence of my dad’s voice. But the quiet continued, as he was no longer here.My tears fell relentlessly as I remained on the floor, gradually fading into the embrace of sleep.

LAUREL’S POV

I reached our house and heard shattering glass, along with voices screaming and crying. Panicked, I rushed to the door and swung it open. There was Dad, in a ragged old pair of pants and a worn-out singlet, looking disheveled. He was using the iron tip of his belt to hit Mom brutally. She was on the floor, clutching his leg tightly, screaming as he continued to lash at her.

“Dad, stop!” I yelled, racing towards them and grabbing his waist.

“Get the hell off me!” he shouted, roughly pulling me away. I darted forward again and held onto him, refusing to let go as he tugged at me.

“Please, stop!” I pleaded, but he paid no attention.

“Mom, run!” I shouted to her, and she released his leg, crawling backward against the wall. He tried to go after her, but I held onto him with all my might.

“Alright... alright...” he said, dropping the belt and laughing maniacally. “I’ll stop... You can let go of me, damn it,” he spat, forcefully wrenching my hands away from his waist, causing me to tumble back onto the ground.

I turned to look at Mom, and blood was gushing from a wound on her head.

“What have you done?” I screamed at him.

He turned to Mom, grinning and revealing his decayed teeth.“That’s my masterpiece. Can’t you see?” he sneered at her, then turned back to grin at me. He was panting heavily. “Are you blind? Huh? Just like your worthless mother?” he barked.

“You’re insane,” I said, glaring at him.

“What did you just say?” he growled and slowly advanced toward me.

“Don’t you dare touch her!” Mom screamed.

“I said you’re goddamn insane!” I shouted as he came closer to me.

He stared at me for a long moment and slapped me forcefully across the face, causing me to hit my head on the floor in pain.

“Stephen!” Mom screamed at him, rushing toward me, but he seized her hair in a tight grip and yanked her back, making her groan in agony as she held onto his hand.

“Shut your filthy mouth. You’re pathetic,” he hissed, smirking.

I glared at him, holding my stinging cheek in anger.

“You want to see crazy, huh?” he taunted, releasing Mom’s hair, causing her to collapse to the ground. He went to the corner of the room and retrieved a hefty pounding stick.

I stared at him in horror, gasping heavily in fear. “No... no... no...” I stammered, trying to stand, but I was too slow.

He approached, swinging the stick down hard on my head, causing me to collapse, limp, onto the floor. Mom screamed, rushing to my side, crying and talking, but I couldn’t hear a thing. It was as if I’d lost my hearing. Blood kept streaming down my head. I didn’t realize when darkness consumed me.