Don't Mess with the Girl with Candy novel Chapter 13

Back at Moultlands, Saskia threw her arms around Juniper the moment she walked in. “Juniper, we’re moving!”

“Oh really?” Juniper’s lips curved into a faint, knowing smile.

“It says here someone’s redeveloping this land, and they’re giving us an apartment in the city to move into next week.” Saskia’s hand trembled as she held the official notice. “I’ve checked it three times. It’s real.”

“This dump? Even dogs turn their noses up at it. What kind of rich sucker would trade a city apartment for this? It’s not a scam, is it?” Janet chewed on her pen, looking at Juniper with wide, cautious eyes. “Juniper, what do you think?”

Juniper met her gaze. “Maybe they’re just… incredibly rich?”

“Argh!” Janet clenched her fists and punched the air. “There are so many rich people in the world! Why can’t I be one of them?”

“You will be,” Juniper said with a soft laugh, patting her head.

Janet stared at her, completely bewildered. What did that even mean?

...

The next day, Juniper went out with Saskia and Janet. After several bus transfers, they finally arrived at Aurora High School.

“You must be Juniper Payne?” asked the principal, a kind-faced woman whose hair was white despite being only sixty.

“Hello, Headmistress,” Juniper replied respectfully, standing straight and shedding her usual rebellious air.

Before coming, she had done her research. The woman standing before her was Salma, the school’s founder. She and her late husband had been teachers in a poor, rural area. After he passed away, she had poured everything she had into establishing Aurora High School to continue their shared dream. Unfortunately, limited funding meant the school’s resources and facilities paled in comparison to the city’s top schools. Even as enrollment dwindled, Salma remained true to her mission.

“I hear you took a break from school and have fallen behind in your classes,” Salma said patiently, leading Juniper toward a classroom.

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