From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

Bringing up the man who had already shattered Carole’s heart in the past would only serve to deepen her existing wound.

Sarah was quite fond of Anthea. It didn’t take long for the two young women to hit it off, even though Anthea was a few years Sarah’s junior. Sarah didn’t feel any sense of distance between them.

They chatted like they were old friends, regretting not having met sooner.

Initially, Sarah had been a bit uneasy. In her mind, beautiful girls were like unattainable stars.

Take Rebecca, for example.

Rebecca was gorgeous and top of her class, which meant she never gave Sarah the time of day.

After Sarah flunked her middle school exams and didn’t get into high school, she started working. Rebecca looked down on her even more after that.

She ridiculed Sarah countless times in the open and behind her back, mocking her that she was an illiterate who’d never amount to anything, taunting her that she’d always be poor.

Linking arms with Anthea, Sarah said. “I thought all you pretty types would be hard to get along with! But Ann, you’re the exception.”

Anthea responded. “You’re pretty, too, Sarah.” And she meant it. Sarah was genuinely

attractive.

A bit embarrassed, Sarah replied, “Oh, stop it. But seriously, Ann, you’re not what I expected. You are not like Rebecca at all. She was so icy. I never dared to talk to her…”

Anthea stroked her chin thoughtfully and declared, “Maybe she’s cold because… she’s not as pretty as me.”

Such vanity might have been off–putting from others, but when Anthea claimed her beauty, it felt rightfully hers.

Sarah couldn’t help but laugh. What a magical gem she was!

“Do you have Twitter, Sarah? Let’s connect!”

“Sure thing!” Sarah pulled out her phone.

They added each other.

Then, Sarah asked, “Ann, why is your Twitter so empty?”

“Oh, I just set up this new account.”

“How about we take a selfie?” Sarah switched her phone to selfie mode.

11:30

“Love to.” Anthea wrapped an arm around Sarah’s shoulder. This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

With a click, they captured a selfie together.

“Sarah, send me that photo, will you? I want to share it on my Twitter.”

“Done and done.” Sarah replied, sending the photo to Anthea.

“I’ll post it, too.” Having a friend as stunning as Anthea was something to show off.

In the living room, Latonia was glad that Carole had reconciled with her daughter. “Carole, Ann

is a thoughtful and good kid, not like Rebecca. Your hardship times are coming to an end.”

One could judge a person’s character by their actions. Rebecca had always looked down on everyone as if she were above them all.

However, Anthea was different; she lacked that air of arrogance.

Latonia had a pretty good first impression of Anthea.

Carole smiled. “Ann is a wonderful child. We owe our move from the basement to her.”

Latonia patted Carole’s hand with a meaningful expression. “Carole, life isn’t easy for a single mother. Stop being stubborn, find someone to share your life with, and lighten your load.”

Carole shook her head. “I’m fine.”

Carole, bearing the deep scars of a past love, found herself unable to believe in love once more. After all, hadn’t she and that man sworn eternal devotion to each other?

What had she gotten in return? Betrayal was what she got.

Latonia sighed. “Carole, is he worth all this?”