The Fake Bag Exposed Her Real Family
CHAPTER 5 - A Place Beside Her
Daniel moved away within a month.
He sent Chloe several messages blaming Vanessa for destroying the family. Chloe did not answer them.
Vanessa rented a small apartment near the supermarket. Chloe began working weekends at the same store. The first time a classmate saw her stacking shelves, she wanted to hide.
Then she remembered Mia.
She kept working.
Laura did not become Vanessa's friend. Too much history stood between them. But the two women began meeting for coffee whenever decisions involving the girls had to be made.
Vanessa apologized without asking Laura to comfort her.
Laura listened without pretending the apology erased anything.
Mia and Chloe also moved slowly.
They did not sit together at lunch. Chloe's old friends avoided her, while Mia's friends did not trust her.
But Chloe stopped others from mocking Mia.
Mia, in return, stopped people from filming Chloe at work.
Neither girl called that friendship.
Six months later, they attended graduation.
Chloe wore a simple blue dress Vanessa had altered by hand. She carried a cloth bag instead of a counterfeit designer purse.
Mia noticed it.
"No Lucci?"
Chloe smiled nervously.
"I decided I could survive without one."
Vanessa arrived moments later, still wearing her supermarket name badge beneath her coat. Chloe waved without embarrassment.
Laura had saved three seats near the front.
Chloe stopped beside Mia.
"Do you think we will ever feel like sisters?"
Mia looked at Laura and Vanessa. The two women sat with an empty seat between them, still uncomfortable but willing to remain.
Then Mia moved her jacket from the chair beside her.
"Sit with us."
Chloe hesitated.
"Is that forgiveness?"
"No."
Mia gave her a small smile.
"It is a beginning."
Chloe sat down.
When their names were called, Mia crossed the stage first. Chloe stood and applauded.
A minute later, Chloe received her diploma.
She looked into the audience.
Her mother was standing. Laura was clapping beside her.
Mia lifted one hand and called out:
"Come on, little sister."
For once, Chloe did not care who heard.
