181 Days of Madeline Jesty

Chapter 53: Lose-Lose

Mouths dropped, eyes widened, and legs (might have) twitched. Mickey ranked the highest. She just erased all stereotypes toward people with the same identity as hers from the face of the earth.

I was so proud of her that I wanted to hug her as she stood, but I breathed my enthusiasm out. Jane was failing, though. She was clearly turned on. Her dimples showed, her brows raised and eyes twinkled with joy. Margaux was pissed.

"Her parents are not here because of an emergency, but I'd like you all to meet our highest-ranking student, who's also a new student this year."

Mickey shyly waved to the parents, brushing up her hair as she did. Her admirers bit their lower lip as everybody clapped.

But, really, why did she have to do that? It felt intentional. She knew she'd look cool as fuck. Some fathers raised a brow, including Mr. Vicente.

"Congratulations to all your daughters for giving their best this quarter and, of course, to you, dearest parents, for understanding their development and guiding them in their schooling."

I smiled. Hopefully, the parents got what Ms. Lilian meant: Do not say hurtful words if they didn't meet your expectations.

"Students, please," Ms. Lilian then said, giving the cue for us to stand and bow.

"Thank you for coming."

Jane stepped forward and led the prayer before the meeting was dismissed. Immediately, most of my classmates approached their parent, held their hand, and exited the room. Some of the parents had a little chit-chat before leaving, such as Margaux's and Jane's fathers. Margaux's mother was nowhere to be seen, maybe because of library duties.

Steph patted me on my shoulder. "Gotta go, Maddie."

I gave Steph a faint smile before watching her go to her mother. Even though her granduncle Elijah and uncle Michael were douchebags, her parents were okay.

Looking at my phone, I walked to Mom. I didn't know how to approach her, as it was her first time to attend card-giving day. Would she ask me to eat somewhere with her? Should I tell Mickey to postpone our plans—

"Do you have somewhere else to go?"

Surprised, I looked at her. I wanted to say no, wishing we'd go somewhere, thinking she would treat me something after getting good grades. But my mouth betrayed me at the last minute. "Yes."

Mom nodded. "Very well. I'll be heading first. Take care of yourself—"

"Madam Isabella." A voice called. I turned around and saw Mr. Vicente approaching us. "Are you heading to the parking lot?"

As he asked this, Margaux's father started to leave the room with Margaux, who looked back and mouthed, Stop that shit.

"Stop calling me madam. Isabella's fine." Mom smiled.

She smiled at a man. And at Jane's father, of all people. Margaux might be right. I should stop this shit—

"Dad, Maddie and her mother might have plans. Let's go," Jane interrupted. Now we're on the same page.

"No, Maddie has somewhere to go," Mom replied with a serious tone, proving she was an alpha.

"Then could I walk with you, at least?" Mr. Vicente offered. "To your parking area?"

"Our car's parked at the lot near the volleyball court."

"Dad, ours is at the multi—" Jane remarked, but her father cut her off.

"A little exercise is okay, Jane Aurea."

Any person would know that a parent calling their child by their first name was a warning. Jane and I looked at our parents in disbelief as they conversed while walking to the door.