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Chapter 2
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Living for Me Chapter 9
Seven years later, I remained in Daruna.After completing my undergraduate degree, I was fast-tracked directly into the doctorate program for the Desert Ecology Restoration Team, following my advisor across the Genoa Desert, alkali flats, and wind-erosion zones.During the toughest stretches, we went weeks without a shower, and when our vehicle got stuck in sand pits, everyone had to push under the blazing, relentless sun.Yet, I never regretted it.I published several research papers, and the drought-tolerant sand-fixation plant project I participated in won a national award. Later, as the research base expanded, I was put in charge of a brand-new experimental plot.It was a place where not a single blade of grass had originally grown.Three years later, however, a slender line of green sprouted across the horizon.When I saw that green line merge into a lush blanket for the very first time, my senior clapped me on the shoulder and said, "Emma, look. You really brought spring t
Living for Me Chapter 8
When Makayla came to Daruna, it was already the spring of my second year.A dust storm warning had just ended at the base, leaving the sky a hazy yellow and fine dust clinging to the windbreak trees. Coming out of the research building, I spotted her standing by the guardhouse from a distance.She wore a light-colored coat with her hair tied neatly back, holding a gift bag in her hands. The moment she saw me, her eyes welled up with tears."Emma."I stopped a few paces away from her. "Need something?"She looked down, her fingers tightening around the paper handles. "I came to visit you. Your mom said life is really tough for you out here, and I was worried."I glanced at her spotless shoes and felt a sudden wave of quiet amusement. Back at the Martins', she was always "worried" about me too. However, every single time she claimed to worry, it inevitably turned into a demand for me to give in and forgive.Makayla held out the bag toward me. "I bought this scarf for you. The wi
Living for Me Chapter 7
Our dorms were on the north side of campus, right outside a line of windbreak trees.The bed wasn't huge, and the desk had some wear and tear. However, the bedding was clean, sunlight warmed the room, and the air carried a crisp mix of dust and wild greenery.A upperclassman helped carry my bags and pointed out the dining hall and research building. "It's a bit rough at first. The wind is brutal, the sun is harsh, and field sampling gets exhausting. But since you made it into the Green Ear Project, I know you can take it."I nodded.Of course I could take anything. After all those years with the Martins, I had long learned how to pick myself up when nobody was there to catch me.Once classes started, my schedule was packed to the brim.At 6 a.m., I was at the nursery recording temperature and humidity. Mornings were for plant physiology lectures. Afternoons were spent doing seed germination experiments with the upperclassmen, while nights were filled with statistical modeling
Living for Me Chapter 6
I watched the video of the banquet right from the meeting point at Corholt.Ms. Nancy sent it to me with just a single line attached.[Don't be afraid. I'm with you.]I tapped play on the video and watched my mom’s complete loss of control and my dad’s rigid, tight smile. I saw Makayla sitting smack in the center of the head table, her designer dress crumpled into a messy ball in her hands.However, I didn't feel the surge of satisfaction I had imagined. I just felt utterly tired.All those years of fighting tooth and nail for top marks, chasing first-place trophies, and straining to be the most sensible kid weren't meant to make them finally notice me.It was all just so that one day I would have the strength and capability to walk away from them.There were a dozen or so students at the meeting point, some lugging oversized backpacks and others rolling heavy suitcases. Everyone was buzzing with nervous excitement.When the coordinator took attendance and read my name, she loo
Living for Me Chapter 5
By 7 a.m., the Martin household was in pure chaos.Mom was the first to notice I hadn't left for the venue. When she called, I was already sitting on the bus headed for Corholt.The moment I picked up, she started screaming into the speaker."Emma, where the hell are you?! Today is your sister's big day! You were supposed to be at the hotel by seven!"Watching the city rapidly fade away outside my bus window, I said evenly, "I'm not coming."The line went dead silent for a brief second. Then Mom’s voice shattered the line."Don't you dare! It's your sister's special day. If you don't show up as her older sister, what will they think of us?!"Dad snatched the phone from her, suppressing his anger. "Emma, stop throwing a fit. Come back right now, and I'll pretend as if nothing happened."I asked, "Come back to put on that cheap black shirt and play hostess for Makayla?"Dad's tone turned menacingly heavy. "Do you really have to embarrass the whole family today?"I said softly,
Living for Me Chapter 4
That night, no one in the house paid any attention to me anymore.Yet, the living room remained lively and buzzing with excitement.Mom helped Makayla practice her speech, while Dad confirmed seats with the guests. Jason dropped reminders in the family group chat telling everyone not to ask about my scores, and Makayla spent hours picking out photos to post on social media the next day.Meanwhile, I sat in my converted room, packing my bags.I only had a few faded clothes, my identity documents, an old photograph of Grandma, and a printed copy of my Green Ear Project confirmation letter. The paper was thin, but holding it in my hands felt like holding an open road.I sold the rest of my textbooks to a reseller for fifty-six dollars. My competition medals were packed up and mailed to Ms. Nancy.Finally, I pulled a dusty elementary school family portrait from the back of my drawer.In the picture, Makayla stood right between Mom and Dad, while Jason leaned over to straighten her h
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