You Thought My Turn Could Always Come Later Chapter 13
A week later, the school held a scholarship ceremony.
The state news station sent a camera crew.
Caroline arrived an hour early, carrying a new dress in a garment bag and a bouquet of flowers.
She found me backstage.
“Sabine, put this on.”
“The reporters will be taking pictures. That uniform is too old.”
I didn’t take it.
She looked awkward for a moment, then softened her voice.
“Mom bought it specially. It’s your size.”
I glanced at the tag.
Size Small.
Penelope’s size.
“It’s too small.”
Caroline looked down at the tag, and her expression froze.
“The sales clerk must have given me the wrong one.”
“You just grabbed it from Penelope’s closet, didn’t you?”
Her lips parted.
She didn’t deny it.
I walked around her and went to take my place on the stage.
After the ceremony began, I was called up as the student representative to give a speech.
The host smiled at me.
“With such an incredible achievement, who do you most want to thank today?”
Caroline, sitting in the front row, immediately sat up straighter.
Ronan, standing at the very back of the auditorium, lifted his head.
I held the microphone.
“The person I most want to thank is my counselor, Ms. Ward.”
“She was the one who noticed something was wrong, who helped me contact the school, and who came to the bus station to pick me up in the middle of the night.”
“I also want to thank Northwood Academy.”
“This school gave me a place to live, and it gave me the chance to make a choice for myself.”
Applause filled the auditorium.
The host blinked, surprised.
“And your parents? Didn’t they help you along the way?”
I looked out at the two pale faces in the audience.
“They taught me a very important lesson.”
“Never put all your hope in other people.”
The live camera was pointed directly at Caroline.
Her practiced smile finally crumbled.