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Chapter 4

The next academic year arrived sooner than I had expected. I would start homeschooling tomorrow and I was super excited. Dad wasn't convinced that homeschooling would help me, but he agreed regardless. Miles started senior year in high school yesterday, and he still won't talk to me because I agreed not to school with him. I knew he would come around.

“Miles, you're running late for school. It's almost time," Mom spoke while we were having breakfast. “School isn't for me, Mom, and besides, geography is a boring class. It won't hurt if I miss the first thirty minutes. Plus, Miss Paisley won't mind," Miles explained with a sheepish smile.

“Daisy, honey, you'll be coming with me to the mall. We need to get you a stationery set before your home tutor arrives at ten. First impressions really count, and I want you to take your studies seriously, just as if you were in school," Mom reminded me. I nodded while sipping my hot chocolate.

We were officially entering winter, and the weather was extremely cold these days, which I didn't like. Having to bundle up in heavy clothes just to avoid getting sick was something I really disliked. Breakfast was soon over, and I didn't know why Miles insisted on driving his car to school today. I was pretty sure he wanted to impress someone, so Dad gave up on sending him to school. I finished changing into something comfortable and got ready to head out with Mom.

“Mom, I'm ready. What should I do next?" I shouted when I didn't see Mom in the hallway. “Go ahead and take your seat, honey. I'll be there soon." I patiently sat in the passenger seat of the car, waiting for Mom to come so we could go to the mall. I just wished my mother didn't take so long, so we could arrive on time. Chad would be leaving for college today, and I wanted to spend as much time with him as possible before he left in the evening, since the next time I would see him would be at Christmas.

We had been driving for who knows how long, but we were still stuck in traffic and nowhere close to the mall. It was all my mother's fault for delaying us. I had basically sat in the car for thirty minutes before she finally came out of the house, and when I complained, she said I was being sarcastic. “I wonder what's causing this traffic on a Monday morning," my mom said, tapping her window.

I looked away in the opposite direction. Most drivers were frustrated, and some were cursing. It was really funny. The road was soon cleared by some police officers, and we realized it was a man who had caused the traffic. He had gone into cardiac arrest while driving, and we happened to pass by when he was being carried into the ambulance. Not what I had planned to see today, especially so early in the morning.

Once we reached the mall, I headed to the stationery section and grabbed some pencils and pens, along with various textbooks and workbooks I would need for my major. I was majoring in science because I plan to become a doctor in the future. After gathering all the necessary items, I tossed them into my cart. My mother had hurried over to the groceries section to pick up some groceries.

It had been a while since we came back home from the mall. My mother was busy in her small office in the house, working on her business. She was a stay-at-home mother who worked from home. Chad had been busy in his room, and I still had about two hours before my teacher arrived, so I left my room and went to look for Chad. The door opened as soon as I knocked, and I felt like he was expecting me.

“Wow, your room is a mess," I exclaimed, and Chad tossed his pillow, which hit my head. “What was that for?" “Did I hurt you?" he asked, concerned. “I'm just kidding," I said, bursting into laughter. “I have about two hours before the teacher gets here. I wanted to offer a helping hand. What do you need help with?" I asked, looking around for something I could do.

“I think I have an idea. I can pack all your favorite sneakers and shoes in that box over there, and then we can figure out what to do next." I rushed over to his closet right after. “I would love that, Millie," Chad shouted, thinking I hadn't heard. The shoe rack had a lot to choose from, and I had to look carefully to see what Chad normally wears.

About twenty minutes later, I came out of the closet with the box in my hands. “Could you check again to see if I got everything?" I placed the box on his study table and watched Chad look through it. “Everything is just the way I need it. You're the best," Chad said and pulled me into a hug. He released me when I tapped his shoulder.

“I've been wanting to ask, why did you choose this university when I knew your dream college was Yale University? What actually changed?" Chad sighed and patted the spot on the bed next to him.

“Nothing changed, I just want to be close to you guys. And I've been keeping this a secret, but I've had a girlfriend for six months now. We met during camping last year." Chad scratched the back of his head and avoided my eyes. I didn't know how to react to that. I'm happy for him, but I don't understand why he feels embarrassed to say this.

“Can I see a picture of her? I've been dying to have a sister so bad. Why did you keep this to yourself for so long?" I asked, snatching his phone. Chad looked at me in confusion, not expecting my reaction. “I didn't expect you to be happy like that." Chad said and showed me a picture of her.

Beautiful is an understatement, the girl looked amazing. I had always known Chad had a thing for blondes. Well, I was right. “When are you planning on informing mom and dad?" I asked, and he sighed. “I haven't thought about that, but you know how they are. I plan on informing them when I start college. They will definitely understand because I love her, and I'm already eighteen years old, by the way. That literally means I'm an adult." Chad whined. “Good luck with that, because you are definitely going to need it." He laughed and tickled me, making me join in the fun.

“What are you guys up to that you didn't hear me knocking?" Mom spoke, and I rolled off the bed, landing on the floor with a loud thud. “Mom, you scared me. How long have you been standing there? Were you eavesdropping on our conversation?" I accused, and I felt bad seeing mom offer a sad smile.

“I've been standing here long enough to see you guys having fun, and I feel happy when I see you both have such a nice relationship. I wish you had that kind of relationship with Miles too. He's also your brother," my mom spoke and entered the room, closing the door behind her.

“I don't have any problem with Miles, Mom. I love him, but he's just annoying. That's why we are always arguing." I wouldn't allow my mother to blame me for something Miles started. “Chad, lest I forget, I came to offer some words of advice before you leave later in the day." Mom spoke while sitting beside Miles on the bed. “That's my cue to leave. I don't want to be the third wheel here." I walked towards the door, but mom stopped me with her words before I could leave. “Your tutor will be here in a few minutes. Have a good attitude." I nodded and walked out, heading towards the study room.

The lessons were pretty interesting; we learned about biology today. Aside from the generic names that I found hard to pronounce, I really enjoyed the lesson. My tutor was patient, and she only moved on to the next topic when I had understood the previous ones. She gave me two sets of homework which I would do later in the evening. Miss Caroline is bubbly and cracks jokes here and there when she notices I don't understand something.

Dinner came too soon because Chad would be leaving right after. We ate in an awkward silence, and the room felt tense. No one seemed to want to start a conversation. Soon, dinner was over, and we were standing outside, taking turns hugging Chad. “I'm going to miss you, Millie," Chad spoke when it was my turn, and I burst into tears. He rubbed my back, and I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand. “I will miss you too, Chad. Please call us always." “I will," he replied and stepped back, walking towards his car. “Drive safely and call when you arrive," Dad cautioned.

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