Chapter 2

By the time Lexie got home, it was already evening. She walked into the house amidst the symphony of clattering pots and pans, only to find her father, Jack Gilbert, and her mother, Lucy Gilbert, sitting silently at the dining table, a rare sight of seriousness on their faces. As soon as they heard the door open, they both turned their heads in perfect synchrony to look at her.

Lexie felt a sudden jolt in her chest. "What's going on?"

"Lexie..." Jack and Lucy began simultaneously, making Lexie feel a wave of nervousness. Jack continued, "Even though you're about to start college and it's okay to date, we shouldn't interfere too much, but don't you think the person you've chosen is a bit inappropriate?"

Lexie was completely lost and had no idea what they were talking about. "What are you talking about? I don't understand."

Lucy took over Jack's topic and continued, "You're still pretending with us! That boy is just starting his senior year in high school, and he confessed to you in front of the whole school, didn't he? And you agreed, right?"

Lexie was beginning to piece things together. "Hold on! Did Kaelyn come back and tell you some nonsense again?"

"Kaelyn is just concerned about you, worried that without the pressure, you might do something out of line."

Lexie scoffed, "Concerned? Who cares?"

She couldn't figure out Simon's intentions, but it turned out Kaelyn Gilbert was stirring up trouble behind her back!

Kaelyn was Lexie's cousin, a year younger, and they lived in the same neighborhood, with their doors directly facing each other. Although they grew up together, Kaelyn's competitive nature meant she always wanted to outshine Lexie. This led to the fact that their relationship had never been good.

Knowing the rift between the two of them, Jack and Lucy decided not to pursue the topic further and dropped their serious demeanor. They served dinner and invited Lexie to eat. Lexie, already having a small appetite, was even less inclined to eat with her simmering frustration, and she barely touched her fork before putting it down again.