Chapter 34: THE SIBLING'S FIGHT
When they reached home, Terrence's family were celebrating. They congratulated Abigail genuinely. Especially Tiana and Archer, who were very happy at that time.
"Are you sure you want to go there, Abigail?" Terrence, who had been quiet since they left the hall, opened his mouth to say something. His words ended their mini-celebration.
"What do you mean, Brother? I cannot understand you?" Abigail was confused by her brother's sudden question.
"It's what I asked, Abigail."
"Aren't you happy for me, brother?" Abigail glanced at Terrence. She did not know what her brother was currently thinking.
"Of course I am, Abigail." Terrence eyed Abigail back.
Terrence answered even though he still wasn't okay with what Abigail had to do just for the scholarship. Maybe it was because he already had a background in his past life. He was sure that Fred and Dough were up to no good.
"But you don't look like you're happy at all at what I achieved, brother… even my classmates were genuinely happy that I got the scholarship!" Abigail couldn't help but raise her voice.
She couldn't help but be irritated. They were happy, and her brother would suddenly ask that.
She thought her family would be glad by the news, but the way her brother acted, she felt that it was the opposite.
"Abigail…" Tiana shook her head, reminding Abigail to calm her voice and still be respectful to her brother.
"Sorry, Mother…" Abigail looked down. Guilt was written on her face. "Sorry, Brother." she apologized in a low voice.
Terrence sighed. "Of course, I am happy with what you got, Abigail. I am very proud of you. That's one of the biggest achievements that our family has. Even I didn't receive much when I was studying hard. It's just..."
It was a hard thing for Terrence to continue his words. He looked back and saw how Tiana and Archer eyed him. However, if he wouldn't say his words now, he was afraid he might never have the chance to say it again.
Another sigh escaped from his lips.
"It's just that… do you really want to go? The city life is different from what we have here." Terrence stated. "You will encounter people that are different from us." He tried to put sense to Abigail how different her life would be.
Terrence knew it was such a petty reason, but that was the only reason he could think of at the moment.
"I can handle that easily, Brother. And it's not like I will be alone there. Did you hear what they said earlier? They will provide us with dorms; each room would have 3 people, so we won't be lonely." Abigail countered. She already knew what Terrence was trying to do.
"If money is just our problem, then I can easily provide for our family. I have a sy—"
[Ding! Host, you are not allowed to say that to anyone.]
Terrence stopped what he was about to say. He became silent when he almost spilled his secret. It was good that the System stopped him before it was too late.
"What do you have, brother?" Abigail raised her right brow when she saw how Terrence halted midway through his words.
Terrence just looked at Abigail blankly. He didn't like the mocking tone in Abigail's voice, but he needed to be calm so they could talk peacefully.
It was already annoying that he couldn't say anything to his family.
"Tsk." Abigail rolled her eyes when she realized that Terrence wouldn't talk. "You can't talk because you have nothing, don't you?" She continued to mock.
Abigail knew what she was doing was wrong. She was putting more gas in the fire. However, this was the only way she could think of.
This was the only way to make her brother realize that at their current standing in society, nothing would happen to their family.
They would just stay at the bottom.
They will just be poor for the rest of their lives if they do not do anything.
Abigail hadn't told this to anyone, but she was tired of being poor. She was tired of seeing her mother and father work tirelessly so that they could provide for the family.
She was tired of seeing her brother make sacrifices just so she could live better.
She was tired of it all.
Abigail just wanted a change. She just wanted to help her family through this.
Once she has the scholarship, she will be able to leave their house. Her parents would finally be relieved and be free of extra expenses. They can now start to save up for themselves as they wouldn't need to fund their studies any longer.
And her brother… Abigail knew that Terrence still wanted to study. She knew he just won't admit it because he thought of her.
She just wanted to put herself first and her family at the same time. So, it was annoying that her brother couldn't think of that.
"I have work, Abigail! I can now provide for the family! Mom and Dad don't even need to work once my job gets well!" Terrence eyed his family. The tone of his voice was starting to rise as well.
"And how can you even think about believing their words right away? We don't even know what kind of environment they would put you through that school! What if you get bullied there? Or what if something even worse happens?"
Terrence let out his frustration. He let out his thoughts that he wanted to hide by peacefully talking, but that didn't happen. It was hard to keep it to himself.
"That's better than being stuck here in poverty, Brother!" Abigail shouted back defensively.
"And what work do you even have? The last time I checked, you were just a low grocery store helper, and your job ended yesterday!" She shook her head as she shouted back.
"That wouldn't even feed us in the long run." She refused to back down to what she wanted.
Tiana and Archer tried to middle the situation, but the fire was already strong for it to be extinguished easily.
"Who says we will be poor? We will be rich, Abigail. You just need to trust me on this one."
Abigail ironically laughed. "You would just fail, Brother. You don't even have funds for that. We won't get anywhere with your words."
"No, Abigail. You don't know what you're saying." Terrence answered. His face had gotten stern.
"Just see what I will do."
****
Whose side are you on this one?
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Wateristubeg
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