Chapter 12: Stepping Up
The morning sun poured through the blinds of Andrean's bedroom, casting a warm, golden glow on the papers scattered across his desk. A gentle breeze fluttered the curtains, and Andrean leaned back in his chair, staring at the screen of his phone. The notification from his cashback system was waiting for him, like it always did when he made a purchase.
It had been over a month since the cashback system started, and Andrean had amassed a significant amount of money. It wasn't enough to make him a millionaire yet, but it was certainly more than he had ever dreamed of. The trick, however, was knowing how to use it without anyone suspecting anything unusual. He had perfected the art of making small purchases, subtly increasing the cashback with every step, without drawing attention.
The key to the success was the secrecy. Andrean had learned early on that if anyone found out about the cashback system, things could spiral out of control. He wasn't sure if people would envy him or if they would think he was a fraud. He didn't want to take that chance.
Today, however, felt different. Andrean had spent the last few weeks helping his family with the new money—buying his mother a new set of books, better groceries, and even treating his friends to meals they could never have afforded before. Yet, something inside him told him that it was time to step things up, not just for himself, but for his family, his friends, and even the school.
"Andrean, you've been quiet lately," Richard's voice broke him from his thoughts as he sat down across from him at their usual lunch table. Richard had always been a man of few words, but today, there was an uncharacteristic curiosity in his eyes.
"I'm just thinking," Andrean replied, his voice steady. "Trying to figure out what's next, you know?"
Richard nodded, taking a bite of his sandwich. "I get it. Things have been different lately, right? Not just with you, but... with everything."
Andrean couldn't help but chuckle. Richard was perceptive in his own way, but he still didn't know the full extent of Andrean's situation. To Richard, it probably seemed like Andrean had just gotten lucky with his grades or the extra scholarships he was getting.
"Yeah, it's different," Andrean agreed. "But it's for the better, I guess."
"Is it all about the money for you now?" Richard asked, eyes narrowing slightly. He wasn't exactly pressing, but he was definitely trying to get a sense of Andrean's mindset.
Andrean paused. The question was straightforward, and it was the type of question that he'd been avoiding answering. Money was important, but it wasn't everything. It had always been a means to an end—a tool to help those around him. But that didn't mean he could say all that aloud. He had to keep up appearances.
"I don't know. I think it's about doing better, about being able to help people," Andrean finally said, his tone calm. "You know how it is, right?"
Richard, ever the quiet thinker, didn't say anything else but just gave a nod of understanding. Andrean appreciated that. His friend knew when to push and when to let things go.
The bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, and Andrean walked to class, his mind still working on the future. The next step was something he couldn't delay any longer. His family needed more, his friends needed more, and the school could be doing better too. But Andrean had to be careful. He had to use his newfound wealth with caution, and he had to remain undetected, for the sake of his safety and everyone around him.
That afternoon, while he sat in the back of his history class, he felt a strange sense of urgency. It wasn't just about making money anymore; it was about what that money could do. He could change the lives of the people he cared about, he could improve the community, and—most importantly—he could create something that would last. Something that didn't rely on his secret cashback system.
But that was the issue. The system couldn't be his crutch forever. If it was discovered, everything could fall apart.
So, as he made small plans in his mind, Andrean knew he had to be more strategic than ever. Every decision from here on out would require careful thought, careful planning, and most importantly, discretion.
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After school, Andrean returned home to find his mother sitting by the window, reading a braille book. It always made him smile to see how independent she was, even without sight. She had worked so hard for their family, and now it was his turn to return that effort.
"Hey, Mom," Andrean said, walking into the living room. "How's your day been?"
His mother smiled softly, her eyes bright with the usual warmth. "Just the same as always. How about you? You've been so quiet lately."
Andrean sat beside her, placing his hand gently on hers. "Just thinking about how we can do better. I've got some ideas, but... you'll see soon enough."
His mother nodded, her face calm but her fingers trembling slightly under his touch. "You're always thinking, Andrean. You don't have to do it alone, you know?"
Andrean's heart tightened. He had always known that his mother was proud of him, but he also knew that she had her own worries. As much as he wanted to solve all their problems, he couldn't ignore the fact that things were changing, and they were changing fast.
"I'm not alone," Andrean replied, squeezing her hand. "I've got you, and I've got my friends. We'll figure it out. Together."
And for the first time in weeks, Andrean allowed himself to smile genuinely. The next step was ahead of him, and it would be bigger than anything he had done so far. But he had the strength to move forward. He would make sure of that.