My first crush (COMPLETED)√

Chapter 24:

After Nora Halsey, the class president, finished her speech, the awards were handed out one after another. The applause echoed through the hall, warm and loud, wrapping around us like a final farewell.

I walked across the stage twice — once for History and once for Literature. Two awards. Not bad. Bella collected four, her smile glowing with pride, while Helen didn't get any. Strangely, she didn't seem bothered. Maybe we were all too relieved that high school was finally over to care about numbers anymore.

When the ceremony ended, I searched through the crowd until I spotted my mum.

"Mum, why didn't you tell me Dad was coming?" I asked, still clutching my certificates.

"I didn't know he was," she replied, surprise lingering in her voice. "He said he was travelling today. I thought he'd be on a plane by now. I guess he cancelled his flight."

My eyes drifted past her shoulder — and there he was. Dad. Already heading toward his car.

"Dad!" I called out, my voice sharper than I intended.

He turned, his expression calm and unreadable.
"Oh, Sharon."

I hurried toward him. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"

"I just wanted to see how it went," he said simply.

"I got some awards," I told him, trying to sound casual despite the small hope building inside me.

"I know," he replied. "But that wasn't enough."

For a second, I thought I'd heard wrong. I let out a disbelieving giggle.

"Seriously? You're doing this again?" My chest tightened. "After everything I've tried to do to make you proud? Dad, I've never lived for myself — everything was for you. And now that I finally achieved something, you can't even appreciate it. What exactly do you want from me?"

Mum reached for my arm. "Sharon, not here. Let's go home."

"I'm not going back to that freaking cell yet!" I snapped, pulling away. "I want to know what he wants!"

"Sharon, we're in public," Mum whispered urgently, tugging at me again.

"Wait," I said, my voice trembling but stubborn. "One more thing. I need to know something. Are you both truly my biological parents? Let's settle it now. I want the truth."

"Of course you're my child," Mum said softly, hurt flashing across her face.

"I want to hear it from him."

Dad's eyes narrowed. "Since when did you start having these ridiculous thoughts?"

"Since you became ridiculous!" I shouted.

His expression hardened instantly. "How dare you speak to me like that. Get into the car this instant."

"No." The word left my mouth like venom.

"Sharon, get into the car!" Mum's voice rose, firmer now.

"I'm getting into yours, not his."

She sighed. "Fine." She gestured to the driver, who opened the door.

As we approached, Carly walked over, holding Tori. "What's going on? I've been looking for you guys."

"We're leaving now," Mum said shortly.

We drove home in silence thick enough to suffocate. I didn't speak when we arrived. I went straight to my room and shut the door behind me.

"Sharon, open the door now!" Mum called.

"You said I should enter the car — and I did!" I shot back through the door. "What more do you want? My day was already a disaster!"

"Let's talk."

"I don't want to. I'm tired."

Outside, I could hear Dad's voice drifting down the hallway. "Speak to your daughter, Kat. She's getting out of hand. I may need to make some arrangements because of her."

"Wilson, I don't know what to do," Mum replied weakly. "She hates us."

His only answer was silence — followed by the sound of his door shutting.

A moment later, Carly spoke gently. "Mum... did Sharon and Dad argue?"

Mum sank onto the couch, exhaustion written all over her. "It's the 'biological parents' thing again."

"Mom, it's not really her fault."

"Are you defending her after what she did? She embarrassed us."

"Just give her time," Carly said quietly. "She can't lock herself away forever."