Lexa!!!!!! Brielle said, practically screaming.
Lexa trembled. It was as if she was traumatized by the sound of her own name.
"Yes, Mommy, I'm coming," she replied, running down the staircase.
There she was, seated on the balcony like she had no care in the world — or maybe she didn't, Lexa thought.
"So, Lexa, what are you saying about your future college, huh?"
"Future college?"
"You know what I'm saying, don't you… Don't play dumb with me now," Brielle said harshly.
"Ohh… college," Lexa sighed. She hated this topic.
"I… wh—"
"Speak up!"
"I was thinking about applying for Drustwood Hollow College."
"Hmm, Drustwood you say? Not a bad idea. I'll speak to your father once he comes home."
Screeeech! The sound of a car was heard.
"Oh, looks like he's back." Brielle smirked at Lexa.
Lexa didn't like that. Her mother's smirk spelled nothing but trouble.
In the blink of an eye, footsteps were heard along the hallway. They became louder with each step — and so did Lexa's heartbeat.
"Welcome, Daddy."
"Hmm," Damon replied coldly.
Damon Knox, husband to Brielle Knox and father to Lexa, was very tall and well-built. He had black, piercing eyes which seemed like they could look into someone's soul. He had a very heavy aura surrounding him.
Lexa was very scared of her father — not that she was actually afraid of him, but because his words hurt her every single time.
"Welcome, honey," Brielle said with joy in her voice. It was obvious that she was happy to see him.
"Thank you, darling. Lexa here said she would like to apply for Drustwood Hollow College. What do you think about it, hmm?"
"Drustwood, Drustwood… Ohhh, the one close to the Mainland Bridge?"
"Yes, love."
"It's a nice choice, actually."
"Nice?" Really? Wow. Lexa couldn't believe her ears. It was the first time in forever her dad had considered her thoughts as valid. He always had something to criticize and always found something wrong with every word she voiced — but this was different.
She didn't smile yet. She had learned that joy was fragile in this house — that was something she had to learn the hard way.
"Don't get too excited," Damon said after a pause. "We'll see if your grades are good enough to make it worth the money."
There it was — the backhanded compliment. Just when she thought things had changed.
"Yes, Daddy," Lexa replied in a low tone.
"And if you disappoint me…"
"She won't," Brielle interrupted. "She knows better."
Damon walked away, heading toward his room.
"You should be thankful he didn't say no," her mother said, walking up to her.
"I am."
Brielle examined her for a moment before speaking.
"You should toughen up, you know. You'll never make it through college if you keep up the nervousness."
"I'll try harder."
"You'll do more than trying. You'll succeed."
Her tone was final, commanding — and that was that. She was gone.
Lexa, the first of three children, was exceptionally brilliant. Not only that, she was also beautiful. With her natural jet-black hair and light blue eyes, she looked unreal.
Her beauty was out of this world.
She was the striking image of her mother.
Brielle Knox also had jet-black hair but brown eyes.
One would wonder where Lexa got the color of her eyes from.
Lexa walked back to her room. It was the only place she felt comfortable.
She looked around and let out a sigh of relief.
The smell of books was soon soothing to her.
"Drustwood Hollow," she muttered.
It wasn't just a college. It was an escape.
A place far from the eyes of society and from the constant judging of her parents.
She opened her laptop and proceeded to fill out the application form.
"I want this," she whispered.
Not for her parents.
Not for anyone.
But for herself — and herself alone.
And for the first time in her life, Lexa felt something bloom inside her chest.
Hope.