As soon as my sister returned from college, I went to the dining room to have dinner with them. She was so busy on her phone that I had to snatch it away.
"No phone during meals."
Andrea pouted her mouth when I said that and went to her room. She took a shower before joining us for dinner.
During dinner, mum did not mention anything about the agreement she told me earlier. My sister did not tease me for being as thin as the pasta either. I wonder if she was well-informed about that agreement?
For the first time, we had a quiet and peaceful dinner. I should be feeling happy because my sister was not teasing me, but instead, I somehow feel nervous for the whole time, for whatever reason it is.
The pasta was so delicious that I finished it in one bite.
"... Mum...?"
I've done eating my dinner a while ago, but I was too scared to move from my seat.
"Go to bed early tonight. You have school tomorrow." She said to me.
I exhaled before returning to my room to change into my pyjamas. Then, I picked up my comb and combed my wavy hair nicely, so that it won't get tangled in the morning. Just when I was about to sleep, I suddenly remembered I had incomplete assignments.
'Crap. It's already ten o'clock.'
But it's not like the teachers would check them tomorrow, so I guess it's OK to not complete them on time once in a while. I was so sleepy that my eyes could barely even stay open.
I packed my school bag according to the next day's schedule before heading to bed. Sigh., school again.
I plugged my phone by my bedside table to charge and turned off the lights. I dived into my comfy bed and soon, my eyelids shut without my notice.
The next morning, I got woken up by some noises from the living room, instead of my usual alarm clock.
"What is going on so early in the morning?"
I got up from my bed and went downstairs to see what was happening. I was surprised to see my sister kneeling on the floor, begging my mum for something. The noises I heard from my bedroom was my sister arguing with mum.
"Mum, please! You need to speak to Amanda before deciding things for her!"
What is it about me this time? Did mum make another agreement?
"Andrea, enough. She is your sister, I'm sure you want the best for her too."
I stayed aloof from the bickering and returned to my room to continue my sleep. But it wasn't too long until my alarm rang.
I forced my eyelids open and went to take a morning shower in the bathroom. I could still hear my sister's voice even with the water running.
"I do not think agreeing to something she does not like is what's best for her!"
I couldn't hear mum's reply but all I knew was, my sister was trying her best to speak up for me, by arguing with mum.
"How dare you go against your father's orders!"
I knew it wasn't mum who made that agreement, since she does not have the rights to do so. But if it was a matter that would bring her to yell at her daughter, it must be a really serious matter. I better get ready for not being able to attend school today.
After I was done showering, I wrapped my wet hair in a clean towel and wore a dress before unplugging my phone from the charger.
I texted Mia that I may or may not be going to school today. She told me to take my time off as much as needed, and that she would inform the teacher for me about my absence.
I'm so grateful to have a friend like her.
I left my phone on my bed, and went downstairs for breakfast like usual, pretending I never heard anything from this morning. I greeted my mum and sister and the dining table. My sister's red eyes were visibly seen, so it was evident that she cried.
We had pancakes served for breakfast, but my sister wasn't in the mood to tease me. Despite that, I could still hear her chuckle under her breath while mumbling, "pancakes". I did not argue with her due to the atmosphere, and I do not think she is in the mood to argue nonsense with me now.
The three of us ate our breakfast quietly and left the table as soon as we were done.
When I finished my breakfast, my mum said she wanted to speak to me, so we went to the living room.
I sat on the couch opposite hers, as the usual style. Luckily my phone was not with me, or else the notifications would disturb our conversation like the other day.
"You are not attending any school from today on." My mum said to me while having her legs crossed.
What? I just sat still as she continued talking.
"Both Asian and Frederick clans agreed on not letting Eric Frederick attend the school you're attending, but he insisted. The reason is unknown." She took out the agreement paper from before. "Your father tried to switch you to another school, but Eric coincidentally wanted to switch to that school too. That is why your father came up with the idea of stopping you from attending any schools instead."
My mum had a very stern look at that time, so I did not ask more and just went along with it. I do not wish to cause any more trouble between these two families, so this is the best way.
Mum told me that my father hired a teacher to come over to teach me, so she asked me to get ready in the study room. I went to my bedroom to change my clothes before heading to the study room.
'Seems like I won't be able to meet my friends anymore, huh... I wonder how Mia would feel.'
I wanted to ask Eric if he was going to school or not but I couldn't. His contact has been deleted! Jeez. This is why people always say don't pull all your eggs in one basket.
'I'm really under controlled.'
Well, it can't be helped if that's the case.
I just texted Mia about me not attending school anymore, and as I expected, she replied with lots of crying emoticons. I bet she's crying right now that the school might flood.
My teacher came just right after my sister left for college. My mum opened the door and invited him to my study room.
"Thank you for coming all the way, Mr Anderson. I leave my daughter in your hands." Mum said and left the room.
Mr Anderson asked me how far I've learnt in school, and he started teaching me from there. I felt more comfortable learning at home as I could focus more than in class. Probably it's because this is a one-on-one lesson instead of the whole class altogether.
During my entire lesson, Eric did not send me a single text.
"Class is dismissed. Please complete the homework given. You can ask me at the next class if you have any questions."
After the class was over, I checked my phone to see if anyone had messaged me. I tried finding out Eric's number but failed to.
Soon, it was time for lunch. The chef served pasta onto the dining table when my sister came back from college to have lunch with us.
"Hey, girl~" She took her seat beside me and picked up the fork to eat the pasta on her plate. "Having fun learning at home?"
"Well, I agree it's better than learning in school, but..."
"That's good to hear. Eat." My mum stopped me before I could finish my sentence.
"...but you still miss your friends?" My sister whispered to me while eating. I was surprised that she was able to read me.
I nodded my head gently without my mum noticing, and we resumed eating our food.
"I still can't get over you being as thin as the pasta." My sister suddenly laughed while eating, and got scolded by my mum.
"Andrea, do not talk while you eat!"
Pfft. Serves you right.