Chapter 2- Just Give Up Already!!!
LILA =+=
She dodged it easily, still giggling as she folded her arms.
"Okay, okay, fine. But seriously, in case you forgot, the annual Sterling Academy lottery starts today. It's already live, and it ends in like ten hours."
I didn't even blink.
I just reached for more chips, crunching away.
"Okay… and I should care because…?"
She gasped like I'd slapped her.
"What do you mean you don't care? It's Sterling Academy! This is a once-in-a-lifetime shot! The best school out there—fancy programs, amazing opportunities, the works!"
I shrugged, wiping salt off my fingers.
"That's your obsession, not mine. Sterling's like your Roman Empire or whatever—you think about it all the time. You've been applying for three years straight. Go ahead, keep chasing that dream. Persistence is kinda your thing, right? Never giving up, even when it's obvious it's not gonna happen."
She clutched her chest dramatically.
"Ouch! That's so mean, Lila. Why you gotta be like that?"
I ignored her fake hurt and kept munching.
"Anyway, you barged in here screaming about 'good news.' So spill it already and leave"
She lifted her chin, all proud and smug.
"This is the good news. The lottery! It's open right now!"
I groaned, letting my head fall back against the headboard.
"I knew it. I freaking knew your 'good news' would be some random announcement that has nothing to do with me. It's always something pointless that somehow sucks the life out of my day."
"This isn't pointless!" she snapped, her voice rising again.
"This isn't one of your marathon drama sessions where nothing real happens. This is important! Sterling Academy could change everything—better education, new friends, a fresh start!"
I waved her off, not buying it.
"Important to you, maybe. Not to me. So go do your little application ritual like you always do. Sit there staring at the screen, crossing your fingers, hoping for a miracle. You've got ten hours left—better hurry before all the other dreamers snag the spots. And let's be real, you're probably not getting picked this time either. But hey, keep hoping. That's your vibe."
She glared at me, her cheeks turning red.
"I hate you so much right now."
I shrugged, feeling zero guilt.
"Honestly, save that hate for the lottery people. They're the ones who've rejected you, what, ten times already? I'm just the innocent sister telling it like it is."
"It's just three times and you don't have to be so evil about it," she huffed, crossing her arms tighter.
"You could at least let me dream without popping my bubble."
"Dream all you want—in your own room," I said, reaching for my laptop to hit play again.
"I've got fictional guys waiting for me. Ones who don't yell or judge my room."
Alexa took a deep breath then she smirked.
"Well, I came to tell you that I already applied."
"Congratulations," I said flatly, not looking away from the screen as the show started up again.
"For both of us."
I blinked.
"Wait—what?"
I narrowed my eyes at Alexa, feeling a mix of annoyance and disbelief bubbling up inside me.
"As if you losing every single year isn't enough, you had to drag me into your madness too? What were you thinking?"
She blinked at me with those big, innocent eyes.
"I just thought maybe if I added your name, I'd finally win something. You know, like you're my good luck charm or whatever."
I dropped my box of chips onto the bed and sat up straight, totally scandalized.
My heart was racing from pure frustration.
"Do I look like I want to go to Sterling Academy? Have I ever, in all the years you've been obsessing over this, said one word about wanting to apply? Why on earth would you put my name in there, Alexa? That's like signing me up for a root canal without asking!"
She shrugged, twisting her fingers together like she does when she's trying to act all casual.
"I don't know… I had a feeling. Like, maybe the universe would surprise us this time."
"Don't you ever add my name to your nonsense again," I snapped, pointing a finger right at her face.
"If you want to waste your time chasing these dreams that clearly don't want you back, go right ahead. Be my guest. But leave me out of it. I'm happy right here with my shows and my snacks."
Alexa grinned sheepishly, not even phased by my rant..
"I can already picture what would happen when the school sees your name pop up for the third time, they'll disqualify you out of pure secondhand embarrassment. And when they spot mine right next to it? Boom, tossed in the trash too. Guilt by association. Thanks a lot, sis."
"That's not fair," she pouted, sticking out her bottom lip like a kid.
"You always gotta have the last word, don't you?"
"I'll keep getting the last word, and the one after that, if you don't get out of my room right now," I warned, reaching for my laptop remote like I was done with this conversation.
"As you can clearly see, I'm extremely busy here."
But instead of leaving, Alexa's face suddenly lit up like she'd just won the actual lottery.
She bounced on her toes a little.
"Okay, fine. But get up. Come with me."
I stared at her like she'd sprouted a second head.
"Go where? I'm not moving from this spot."
"To watch the lottery draw, duh!" she said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
I let out a laugh that was more like a scoff.
"You mean the lottery I've told you to give up on, like, ten times already? That one? Should I spell it out for you real slow? G-I-V-E U-P. Give up, Alexa. It's not happening."
"This is the last time, I swear!" she pleaded, clasping her hands together.
"Please? Just this once?"
I shook my head, sinking deeper into my pillows.
"Not only did you register yourself—again—but you dragged me into it, and now you want me to sit there and watch that rigged nonsense with you? Come on. They always pick the same type: rich kids with perfect smiles, polished resumes, and parents who probably donate buildings. You seriously think they're just pulling names out of a hat? Please. The winners are chosen way before the lottery even opens.."
"As a matter of fact, Alexa, you should forget about that so-called lottery for the less fortunate. I'm convinced that ever since this whole thing began, not once have they actually chosen someone who isn't already rich."