"The tragedy of life is not death ... but what we let die inside of us while we still live."
Adalynn Stanton is accepted into one of the highest competitive schools in her state, the Greenhouse Academy. At first, all she thinks she will have to do...
"My love, he makes me feel like nobody else Nobody else But my love, he doesn't love me So I tell myself, I tell myself."
~ New Rules by Dua Lipa
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"How could you let this happen?"
Adalynn's breath hitched in her throat as she witnessed the inevitable unfold.
"Look, Judy, I've already told you ... Dad won't listen to me. He thinks I'm irresponsible. He won't give me ANY responsibility around this place and trust me, he would never let me steal his place in the spot-light," Jason whined.
"Do I have to do everything myself?" Judy snapped. "I'm NOT talking about the satellite launch; I'm talking about Hayley and Alex Woods! Why have their spots at the Academy been reserved for them? Why have they not been given to someone else? This mission too important to have Ryan Woods' kids ruin it for us!"
"I don't think it's Hayley and Alex we should be worried about," Jason answered.
"Well, if not, who?"
"Adalynn Stanton."
Judy burst out laughing. "Adalynn? That peculiar red-head that was standing in front of me during the dedication? She couldn't speak a word, let alone uncover this! You must be joking."
"I'm not," Jason's eyes bored into hers. "She's convinced that someone blew up that rocket and that Ryan DIDN'T commit suicide. She suspects me! I've warned her about it, but she just won't let it go."
"This is more serious than I thought," Judy pulled up a chair and dropped down into it. Shaking her head, she whispered, "So THAT'S why she was staring at me before."
"What?"
"Never mind. So what are you planning to do about it?"
Jason shrugged. "I - I don't know. I don't think she's going to give it up though."
Judy smiled, a malicious, cruel smile that sent shivers of terror down Adalynn's spine.
"I'll talk to her and if she doesn't listen, I'll talk to Louis and she WILL be expelled. Your father is going soft, Jason. He knows the rules. He shouldn't have allowed Hayley and Alex to retain their places at the Greenhouse."
"You know my father," Jason spat out bitterly. "He and Ryan were close, he'd never expel the Woods' children."
Judy sighed heavily. "I suppose not. But he has no connection whatsoever to Adalynn or her family. Getting rid of her will be easy. Now, about this satellite launch."
