All Chapters of Brave for Once: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

Freya and Tyler arrived early, carrying large bags of groceries."Cleo, we specifically bought the food you love most. Stop being angry, okay?" Tyler apologized to me first.I didn't answer.When dinner started that evening, Freya had all her favorites right in front of her—barbecue ribs, seafood boil, and mac and cheese.Freya let out a gasp."It's everything I love! Thank you, Tyler, for taking a detour to buy the groceries, and thank you, Andrea, for specifically making them just the way I love them!"Yet in front of me, there was only a single white porcelain bowl.I lifted the lid, and inside was a bowl of escargot.I nearly threw the bowl out.In elementary school, some boys stuffed a bunch of snails into my schoolbag.When I reached in to get my books and pinched that disgusting slimy texture, I cried from fright. They even gave me a nickname, "Snail Girl".From then on, I began to fear snails.However, when Mom found out, she started forcing me to eat escargot."

Mom jumped up instantly. "You've learned to talk back now? As if you are so well-liked."You have the exact same disposition as your useless father! You'll never measure up to Freya."I closed the door while she continued to rant into the night.So I put on headphones and began packing my luggage.Early the next morning, I went out to buy the things needed for the mountains.Snake repellent, mosquito repellent, a first aid kit...When I returned, the house door was slightly ajar.I could hear talking and laughing in the living room.First was Freya's voice."At the engagement party, when Cleo goes up on stage, how about we suddenly release something to build her courage?"Release a fake snake or a dead rat?"Tyler remained silent for so long that Freya became annoyed."Why do you have that expression on your face? If you don't agree, then just ignore me!"In the end, he let out a sigh."Fine... but this is really the final time. I don't want Cleo to be frightened again."

The bus bumped along the winding mountain road for five hours.Elsie sat next to me, sleeping like a log. Her head was crooked against my shoulder, her drool nearly dripping onto my sleeve.I didn't push her away.I needed her to lean on me. Otherwise, sitting alone in this swaying, rattling iron box heading deep into the mountains, I was afraid I would jump off the bus and flee back.After getting off the bus, we transferred twice more.The so-called school was three one-story houses pieced together. One was the classroom, the other was the kitchen-slash-office, and the remaining one was a dormitory.There were two wooden bunk beds in the dormitory.During the night, someone knocked on the door.A small slip of paper was stuffed beneath the door crack.[Ms. Cleo, are you asleep? I'm Yasmine. I was worried you might be afraid of the dark, so I left my nightlight at your door. Open the door and take it.]Yasmine was my first student here.I pulled the door open with light ste

She stood next to Tyler, her eye rims still red."Alright, what are you putting on a show for?"Freya repeated herself once more, her voice half a pitch higher than just now."Cleo, you've made enough of a scene, haven't you? Do you have any idea how anxious Andrea has been during the month you ran away? "Tyler looked for you every day, to the point of not even wanting his job anymore."He also rejected my confession, saying he likes you. Throwing a tantrum here for others to see, do you think you're so great?""I don't think I'm great.""Then stop putting on a show and follow..."I called her name."Freya."She paused."You said I won against you for once. What did I win against you?"Her lips moved."Since we were little, Mom preferred you, classmates revolved around you, and even the first person Tyler liked was you—"Tyler frowned. "That's not true!"I ignored him, continuing to look at Freya. "Did I win a mother who belittles me, or a boyfriend who ignores me? For