8
Ashley cried on my shoulder for a while, then
looked up, embarrassed.
“Ashley,” I said, “I’ve learned one thing in my
life: never cry for people who don’t love you.”
She nodded. “I know, Mrs. Miller.”
After a moment’s hesitation, she said, “When
I left the studio, I overheard some girls
<
talking. Chloe… she has a boyfriend. He’s…
he’s a loser. Doesn’t have a job.”
“They said that’s why she’s not at dance
camp. Because of him.”
Her voice trailed off. “I know I shouldn’t
eavesdrop, but… she’s your daughter. I just…..
I don’t want her to make bad choices.”
Looking at her, so sincere even after being
bullied by my daughter, my heart melted.
“Ashley,” I stopped her.
She looked up at me, her eyes anxious.
“Don’t get involved in other people’s dramas.
Focus on yourself.”
L
“But this guy… he’ll ruin her…”
Will he ruin her?
I remembered Chloe’s tearful accusations
after the competition last time. She’d talked
about freedom and true love.
“It’s her life. We’re only responsible for
Qurselves.
“Her life is her responsibility, and her father’s
now.”
“Besides, she hates you right now. Even if
you warned her, she’d just think you were
trying to cause trouble and resent you even
more.
く
I patted her shoulder. “Focus on your
dancing. Don’t worry about anyone else.”
Ashley, having lost her parents, was mature
for her age.
The reason those girls had gotten to her was
because of me. Because she cared about me.
Now that I’d made my position clear, the
bullying would probably stop.
As for Chloe, without my interference, she
would get the life she wanted.
I was curious to see how happy she would be.
