I had been on the verge of abandoning my education due to lack of funds, Ms. Zimmerman had used her own modest
earnings to support me.
She had tirelessly sought out donors, even though no one else had been willing to contribute to a child whose biological parents were wealthy. Yet, Ms. Zimmerman had consistently put my needs before her own, scrimping on food and clothes
just to support me.
I had, at one point, resigned myself to the belief that my life’s trajectory was fixed. Yet, owing to Ms. Zimmerman’s unwavering perseverance, I recognized that surrender was not an option for me.
After her chemotherapy session, Ms. Zimmerman was completely exhausted and had fallen into a deep sleep. I gently placed the fruit I had brought for her beside the hospital bed, then discreetly made my way out of the hospital ward.
Yet, to my surprise, I ran into someone familiar. It was Zachary Young, the top–ranking student in our grade at Riverside High
School.
I had crossed paths with him a handful of times at various competitions and was well aware of his striking good looks, which had attracted countless admirers. Yet, my lasting impression of him stemmed from a time when Tina herself had been completely captivated by his presence.
Zachary was holding a container of chicken noodle soup. Its aromatic steam reached my nostrils, accompanied by the agreeable scent of lavender emanating from him. He then asked, “Who are you?”
I quickly wiped the tears from my eyes, which had flowed when I visited Ms. Zimmerman, and then got ready to leave.
Zachary suddenly reached out and grasped my hand, refusing to let go. “I noticed that someone has always cleaned my mother’s room and helped with her care every time I visit her. I would also hear the doctor and nurses bring up a young lady, asking me if she was my sister. It must have been you all along, right?”
I met Zachary’s deep, warm gaze, gave a slight nod in response, then lowered my eyes.
Tina’s malicious smear campaign over the last few years ensured that everyone at Evergreen High School and the neighboring schools knew about a purportedly malevolent senior named Kiara Johnson.
Their narrative claimed that I was not only jealous of Tina and nearly caused her death, but also that my own family had disowned me for being a troublemaker. In addition, I had recently faced a false accusation of cheating in a competition.
1/2
Chapter 7
+25 BONUS
I dreaded the judgment in anyone’s eyes, but especially Zachary’s, since he was Ms. Zimmerman’s son. His eyes, carrying the same gentle warmth as hers, would only serve to remind me of my shortcomings, making me believe that I had let her down.
Zachary seemed to pick up on my attempt to avoid him. He appeared slightly flustered, a blush dusting his cheeks as he handed over the container of chicken noodle soup, saying, “I heard from my mother that your stomach is weak, Kiara. So I
brought this for you.”
I dashed out of the hospital, clutching the container. In the end, the tears, which I had been utterly unable to shed in the presence of the Johnson family, now erupted in a torrent.
I genuinely believed I was meant to live an insignificant life, unloved and unwanted. Yet, meeting Ms. Zimmerman changed everything, and receiving that container of chicken noodle soup solidified it. It turned out that there was someone out there
who actually remembered my chronic stomach issues. It turned out I was worthy of being loved.
