When Alaric heard the conversation, he recalled instantly the time when he pressured Lemira into the match, a wave of guilt washing over him.
He was relieved Lemira hadn’t been affected; otherwise, her grades would have suffered.
“Didn’t the Langstons raise her? To cut ties over some grievances, who does that like her?”
“Lemira, come down here and explain. How have the Langstons wronged you?”
Asher felt like he was the center of a joke, an embarrassment he had never experienced in this circle. All these were brought by Lemira.
Lemira descended from the stage, her gaze expressly icy, “Yesterday, did you reject a call from Orvin University’s admissions, telling them I wouldn’t attend?” Asher’s face changed, at a loss for words.
“Did you demand I stay local, to attend the same school as the Langston’s adopted daughter who didn’t even make it to the community college?” Lemira pressed on. The crowd was in shock.
“Lemira as a top scorer going to Orvin University is an envious achievement. To think the Langstons would turn away.”
“Exactly, if I had a daughter like her, I’d rent out a restaurant for three days straight to celebrate. If even the hobos didn’t know about it, I’d consider it my failure.”
“The Langstons prefer a failure over their own talented sister? Must be blind!”
Hearing these murmurs, Asher exploded in exasperation, “It’s not like that. Staying local is for your own good!”
“For my good?” Lemira’s gaze dripped with sarcasm, “For my own good, you asked me, a top scorer, to study at a community college with someone mediocre? That’s your idea of what’s best for me? Spare me the Langstons’ kindness.” Asher couldn’t meet Lemira’s eyes, guilt-ridden.
Alaric jumped in, trying to defuse the tension, “Asher didn’t mean it. Don’t take it the wrong way!”
“And you!” emira turned to Alaric, “Forcing me to skip classes for a video game tournament, relying on me to win the playoff. Without me, you didn’t stand a chance in the finals.”
Alaric felt a pang of guilt, “Sorry, it’s all on me. I should’ve never pressured you. Thankfully, your grades weren’t affected.”
“I don’t need your apologies, but I’m done with the Langstons. Make sure you understand that.”
Lemira turned and left the venue, determined to cut all ties with the Langston family.
Asher, fuming, gazed at his secretary, “Keep this under wraps. We can’t let it spread.” Otherwise, the Langston family would become a laughingstock.
Asher looked around, “She’s just had some squabble with us. Teenagers, you know how hard it is to discipline.”
Alaric was anxious, “Asher, why turn away Orvin University’s offer? Lemira’s the top scorer. Our parents would be thrilled if they know we have an Orvin student in the family.”
Asher, lost for words, remained
stubborn, not willing to admit he did
something wrong, “For her
temperament, what if she causes
trouble at Orvin University. Staying local is best for her.”
“Asher! She’s got us to look out for her at Orvin. What trouble could she make? Why can’t you think it straight?”
Realizing Asher’s mistake, Alaric hurried out after Lemira.
Lemira walked alone, Orion by her side, “Feeling better?” “Yeah.”
“Ready to stop avoiding them?”
Lemira’s lips were curled into a cold smile, “I thought distancing myself from the Langstons would let me start anew. But now I notice some just don’t learn until you spelit out for them.”
After speaking her mind, she felt a weight lift off her shoulders. “Lemmy, wait up for me!”