2.
That day, to the shock of my crew, I hopped
into some million–dollar ride and sped off.
Of course, my friend, Nick, had to shout,
“Heather! Don’t forget about us when you’re
rich! We’ll be waiting!”
I just rolled my eyes and gave him an “OK”
sign.
When I turned back around, the Johnsons
were looking at me like I was an alien.
I didn’t care. Truth is, after 17 years with my
adoptive mom, I just wanted to survive.
As for the whole switched–at–birth thing?
Whatever. It just meant I might have a better
life.
<
The gin who mau been crying eamier Suuvenly
stopped, looking at me with a guilty
expression.
“Heather, I’m Ashley, your, your sister… I’m
so sorry. I took away 17 years of your life…”
She started to tear up again.
My newfound dad frowned and sighed.
Meanwhile, Mom and Josh were back in
babying mode.
I just “tch“-ed. I can’t stand people who cry
all the time.
If crying worked, then I would’ve been saved a
long time ago.
“Excuse me, Ashley, can you stop crying?
“Do you know how many times you’ve cried
since we met? I’m starting to think you’re the
one who’s been through hell. Can you give me
a break? I haven’t even started crying yet!”
She just stopped crying, her face frozen. The
Johnsons were frozen, too. The car was
く
I ignored them and looked out the window.
I could see the city’s skyscrapers, the Space
Needle, shining bright.
It was the first time I’d ever been this close to
those places.
Finally, my “mom” spoke up.
“Heather, I’m so sorry, but Ashley didn’t mean
She’s just sensitive and gets emotional. But
she really does feel guilty.”
Dad nodded in agreement.
Josh frowned, his eyes showing a hint of
annoyance towards me.
“Heather, Ashley’s just worried that we won’t
want her anymore if you come back. Try not
to blame her, okay?
“And when we get home, you need to change
the way you act. Look at the way you’re
dressed, like some hoodlum. And smoking?
Girls shouldn’t do that!
“Ashley is gentle and composed, that’s how a
く
girl should be.”
He was trying to sound nice, but he was
ordering me around.
The Johnsons nodded in agreement.
Even Ashley chimed in with some “helpful”
advice:
“Yeah, Heather, you shouldn’t hang out with
people like that. I heard your grades weren’t
that good. That’s probably because they were
a bad influence.
“When we get back, I can help you with your
homework! I have so many clothes in my
closet; you can have whatever you want! Mom
and Dad and Josh bought them all. We can
share!”
I just stared at her, speechless. The Johnsons
seemed even happier with her, like she was
so kind and generous.
I smirked, finding it all pretty funny.
With the Johnsons looking at me
<
disapprovingly, I just said, “Funny, those ‘bad
influences‘ are the ones who helped me pay
for my school and life these last few years.
“Thank your mom for that, Ashley.
“And Josh, you’re so smart, you probably
already know why I’m called Heather Smith,
right?”
Everyone shut up, looking pale. Even Josh,
who had been so sure of himself, wouldn’t
look me in the eye.
Ashley’s face was red, and she was clutching
her clothes, her nails digging into her skin.
I just smirked.
These hothouse flowers really thought they
could win against a Venus flytrap that
crawled out of the gutter?