thirteen → jade west

Chapter 2

The morning air in the West household was thick with the scent of a lavish breakfast, but the atmosphere at the table was anything but warm. Jade sat rigidly, her posture perfect as always, while Martha and the maids moved around the table, serving an array of gourmet dishes.

Ellen West, Jade's mother, sipped her coffee elegantly, her eyes fixed on Jade. "Next year, we'll need to enroll you in more advanced courses. Your preparation for Harvard must be impeccable," she stated, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Jade nodded mechanically, her mind miles away, dreaming of the music and freedom that awaited her at Hollywood Arts. The very thought of Harvard and its strict, predetermined path made her feel like she was suffocating.

As Martha poured a glass of cow milk and placed it in front of Jade, Ellen's voice cut through the air again. "Drink your milk, Jade. You're still a child, and you need it for your bones."

Jade's hand hesitated over the glass. She detested cow milk, the way it tasted, the way it reminded her of her mother's overbearing control. But she knew better than to protest. With a forced smile, she lifted the glass and took a polite sip, the milk leaving a sour taste in her mouth.

Martha caught Jade's subtle grimace and offered a sympathetic look. She knew Jade well enough to understand her silent protests, the small acts of rebellion against the life she was being forced to lead.

Jade's thoughts were interrupted by her mother's continued plans for her academic future. "I've spoken to Mrs. Henderson about tutoring. She agrees that a more rigorous curriculum is necessary."

Jade merely nodded, her mind already escaping to the after-school preparatory classes at Hollywood Arts. She imagined sitting at a piano, her fingers dancing freely over the keys, a stark contrast to the rigid discipline her mother demanded.

As breakfast continued, Jade's compliance was automatic, her responses rehearsed. But inside, her heart yearned for the day she could break free from these chains and pursue her true passion.

*

The gala was a dazzling affair, the kind of event where the elite of Los Angeles gathered to display their wealth and status. Jade, dressed in an elegant gown chosen by her mother, felt like a mannequin on display as she walked through the grand hall, her mother's arm linked with hers.

"Remember to smile, Jade. These are the people who matter," her mother whispered, her eyes scanning the room for acquaintances.

Jade forced a smile, her stomach churning with discomfort. She felt out of place among the glittering dresses and tuxedos, the air thick with superficiality.

As they approached a group of old money kids, including Alyssa Vaughan, Jade braced herself. Alyssa, with her perfect blonde hair and poised demeanor, was the epitome of the world Jade despised.

"Jade, darling, you look lovely tonight," Alyssa said, her voice dripping with a condescension that didn't escape Jade.

"Thank you, Alyssa," Jade replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

The conversation around her was a blur of bragging about summer homes and Ivy League acceptances. Jade tried to engage, but her attempts fell flat. The other kids glanced at her with thinly veiled disinterest, their whispers barely concealed.

"Isn't she that girl whose parents are divorced? Quite scandalous for our circles," one of them murmured, not bothering to lower their voice enough.

Jade felt a sting at the comment, a reminder of her family's fractured image in this perfect world. She excused herself, retreating to a corner of the room. The laughter and chatter around her felt like a wall, separating her from a world she never truly belonged to.