“Burn those who burned me!” Chapter 37

***Clara’s POV:***

I arrived at school an hour early, because I retained all of my memories from my previous life, I would be able to develop the drug much sooner. As I made my way to the lab, my friend Christine ran up to me filled with excitement.

*“OMG!!! I can’t believe you got accepted into Lexington TWO WHOLE YEARS in advance and didn’t tell me!”*

My eyes bulged, how in the hell did she know? Dammit Mrs. Fraizer you promised! Annoyed, I quickly placed my hand over her mother.

*“Christine! How did you find out!”*

Christine lifted her hands as if to say, “I won’t say anything!” Moving my hand, she began to explain.

*“I saw it in the office. You know I volunteer there sometimes. Don’t worry, Mrs. Fraizer already told me not to say anything!”*

I let out a deep sigh, thanks Mrs. Fraizer, slightly chuckling, I pulled Christine into the lab.

*“I just need to keep it a secret until I transfer, I don’t want my father to know.”*

Christine’s face twitched up, she knew all too well about how my family treated me. She couldn’t stand Sophie or Jason.

*“Yeah she told me you want to surprise him. Honestly Clara, that man doesn’t deserve it.”*

Smiling, I hugged my friend of over two years. In that little time, she’d shown me more love that my family in a lifetime. I wanted to give her reassurance.

*“I just told Mrs. Fraizer that so she wouldn’t pry. I could care less about surprises that man, I just don’t want him to interfere. Once I’m in, he’ll be too embarrassed if he tries to pull his prodigy daughter from his own alma mater.”*

Christine smiled with pride, finally her friend would stop trying to please those horrible people! Wrapping her arms around her waist, she cheered with joy.

*“Now that’s what I’m talking about!! Forget those stupid people! You’re the daughter Caroline Rouleau! There is nothing prouder than that!”*

Hearing those words brought tears to my eyes, in my previous life, I’d spent so much time trying to please those people that I’d forgotten whose daughter I really was! Not this this time, this time I would make sure the world remembered my mother!

After school, I made my way to the front office to pick up my acceptance letter, the day I applied, I asked Mrs. Fraizer to have the letter sent to the school, I was glad she obliged. As soon as I walked into the office, she had a huge smile on her face.

*“See! I told you! Congratulations!”*

She gave me huge hug and handed me the letter. Finally, I’d be on my way out of that house and into a real lab. I only needed the two years because a key ingredient to the medication would not be available until 2023, so I decided to spend my time putting everything else together while also creating additional medicinal remedies I created in my previous life. I decided to head back to the lab to finish up some more equations.

I got home around 5pm, and when I walked through the door everyone was in the living room. My father had an unreadable look on his face while Jason and Sophie looked annoyed. ‘What are you all gonna blame me for now’, was I could think as I walked further in.

*“Is something wrong father?”*

Years of watching Sophie play the poor damsel in distress taught me how to play meek. My father stood up and walked over to me, suddenly, his hand reached towards me. I thought for sure he was going to hit to I flinched on natural reaction. Instead, he handed me a paper.

My acceptance letter. Shit.

For a brief moment, he almost looked soft, shortly after, his face hardened back up.

*“Why didn’t you tell me you not applied to Lexington, but got accepted into their early bio-chem program?”*

I couldn’t tell if he was angry or disappointed. His expression was hard to read, and his voice had a hint of sadness. Looking around the room, I swallowed hard, prepared to hear him tell me I could not go. With a low voice, I answered.

*“If you don’t mind me asking father, how did you find out?”*

My father looked at me like I had three heads. Scoffing he began to explain. Apparently, the school reached out, letting one of their most famous alma maters know his daughter was accepted.

*‘Shit. I didn’t take that into consideration.’*

Smiling faintly, I tried my best to sound as sincere as possible.

*“I didn’t want to upset Sophie.”*

All eyes turned to her. I could see her eyes fuming, but as always, she played the perfect sweet victim.

*“Sister! What would make you think that I would be upset! I’ve always wanted what was best for you.”*

Right on cue. Her eyes began to water as she hiccuped through her words. Instantly, Jason began to comfort her.

*“Honestly Clara, what does Sophie have to do with this.”*

Suddenly, my stepmother stood up, anger in her eyes.

*“I don’t see how you’re neglecting to tell your father the truth about that letter is my daughter’s fault! Why are you always bullying Sophie!”*

Just like always, the band of Sophie came marching in. I looked at my stepmother with blank eyes.

*“Mrs. Anna, the last time I got accepted into a school, I was accused of showing off and hurting Sophie’s feelings. I simply didn’t want to make that mistake.”*

That shut her up. My stepmother’s eye’s bulged, having no rebuttal, she simply scoffed and sat next to Sophie. My father turned back to me, again looking at me with an unreadable expression.

*“No one is saying you have to showboat, but anything involving Lexington let me know. I assume you will be attending?”*

*“Yes sir.”*

With a pleased look, my father informed me he would be sending my tuition. He wasn’t fooling anybody; the only reason he was pleased was because HE would get all the praise for raising such a chip off the ole block. He did the same thing to my mother. He wouldn’t have a chance to do it again. Holding up my hand, I protested his “kind gesture”.

*“No need father. While I appreciate this kind gesture, I’ve saved up enough money from my part-time job. I also have a scholarship from Bartrum.”*

My father was shocked, not only had I refused his money, but he was not aware I had been doing so well. I really did have a full scholarship from Batrum, and I would use the money I had from my mother to cover the rest. Hearing my refusal instantly pissed him off, the subtle nice act over.

*“This! This is what I am talking about! So headstrong. So, I wasn’t aware of your school achievements! That doesn’t give you the right to act all high and mighty.”*

As he scolded me I didn’t say a word, I simply stared at him with an expressionless face. Suddenly, Jason spoke up.

*“Honestly Clara, this is exactly why none of us celebrate anything you do. Why can’t you be more like Sophie instead of being so high and mighty just because you pass some stupid tests.”*

I smiled cooly at Jason, with laughter in my thoughts. The only way I could act like Sophie was if I were dumb. Looking back at my father, I apologized once more and excused myself. Before I could walk away, he grabbed my arm.

*“If you so much as embarrass this family even in the slightest way, l’ll make sure you regret it.”*

I gave my father a sardonic smile sending a chill down his smile. He slowly let my arm go and allowed me to leave.