To Escape

ONE

CHAPTER ONE: GRADES

ASH:

I looked at her while she arose from her seat to get her test paper. Today was the day that most students feared of; score and sign day. You must get to tell your parents the score you received every semester's exam and let them sign it. I had no problems in education, my parents were loose on me; but I always do very good jobs on school.

Leila Collins, my competition all year-round never ever gives up. She must really love the valedictorian place. I despised her, why couldn't she give me a chance to experience it? I find her very selfish when we talk about education. I have it all; the looks, the girls, the money and the fame. But one thing I couldn't get was that place, damn it!

I observed her on the corner of my eye. She peeked on her folded white paper then she sighed; a relieved one. I mentally scoffed, what, she beat me again?—I stood up from my seat as I was called and immediately unfolded the paper, 90. I was frustrated at this grade, what could've been her grade? Was it higher than mine?

"Class dismissed." I followed her through the halls to see her victory face when she gets her paper signed by her parents. It's a hobby for us students here to see her parents every dismissal time since they would fetch Leila. I saw her walking properly towards her parents. She was about to kiss them on the cheeks when her mother stopped her.

LEILA

"What is your grade?" I forced a smile and lent them my white paper. It was already unfolded. I kept my hands together hoping this time, I won't disappoint them; well, if they don't ask that question. "Just an 89? You couldn't even reach a 90? God, Leila! You're in this school for a reason!"

I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. "Dad, I really—"He placed the paper inside the pocket of his brown coat and turned away from me. "I'm disappointed, Leila. Come, we must go home." I didn't have a choice so I went inside the car. I wanted to get out—the tension was eating me and I can't breathe.

"What was Michael's score?" The disappointment on dad's voice was fairly recognized. Should I tell him?—should I tell them? I'm already used at being barked at anyways. "He scored 90." I whispered but enough for them to hear. He punched the steering wheel which made me gasp and he looked at me intently. "A 90, Leila? How stupid can you be?"

I was tightly gripping the hem on my skirt. Dad rubbed his temple and picked out the paper he gotten from me out from his pocket. "This." He placed the paper in front of me. "I am not signing this." Then he suddenly ripped the paper into two, four, and six... I was trying really hard not to cry. I was hurting my leg because I was pinching it so hard.

He started the car ignition and drove rapidly on the school. The school guard saluted him but Dad was far too angry to salute him back. When we went inside the house, the maids bowed at us. I secretly wiped my tears away and smiled at them. "How are you, miss?" asked the maid, Lucy. "Very well, indeed, Mrs. Lucy." She nodded and gestured me to go to the dining room.

I didn't very much enjoyed family dinners. It was all a pain for me. All they ever talked about was business, my education and their financial status. But I got used to it, so it doesn't matter to me now. I cut the steak in half and silently chewed on it. I was out of appetite, but excusing me would be a disgrace to my parents; and I wouldn't want to make the situation worse.

"Leila," I stopped for a moment and looked at my mom. "Your dad and I will be travelling the whole Europe for business matters." I nodded at her statement. "We'll be gone for a year, it will be a busy trip." She added. I just smiled at her to tell her that it was fine by me.

"You probably know the rules, right?" I nodded once more. I feel like I was being wrestled on my neck. They were so strict—strict to the point that you can't even mentally breathe. "Very well then, go get to your room now. We'll be going tomorrow." She stood up from her seat, I was expecting a good bye kiss or a hug from a mother, but I received neither.