My Adorable Little Rascal

Skylar stands silently near the edge of the hallway. Her fingers twitch, cold sweat slicks her palms. She clutches the strap of her backpack as if it's the last thing holding her together.

The world around her feels distant. The voices fade, the school courtyard dissolves into a blur of white light. In the stillness, the echo of footsteps returns—measured, sharp, angry.

She already knows who it is.

Her aunt storms into view like a thundercloud, her heels striking the floor like gunshots. Her eyes, lined with heavy makeup, blaze with something darker than rage—entitlement.

"There you are!" the woman barks: "You shameless little white lotus!"

Skylar doesn't flinch. But her heartbeat thunders louder than the yelling.

"Your parents raised you, fed you, gave you a roof over your head, and this is how you repay them? By throwing them in prison?! You disgusting brat!"

Skylar's grip tightens. The sharp edge of her nail cuts into her palm.

"I said GET OUT!" her aunt roars, voice splitting through the air like glass: "I won't keep an ungrateful snake like you in this house one second longer!"

Julian steps forward. His arm wraps around Skylar's shoulders like a shield.

"No need for concern," he says calmly: "She won't be staying here anymore. She's with me now."

The woman's eyes narrow: "Ohhh, so that's how it is, huh? You found yourself a rich boy to cling to? He giving you pocket money to play innocent?"

Her words are dipped in venom. But Sunny? She snaps.

Skylar feels her friend shift beside her—the tension in Sunny's body, the slight tremble of someone reaching their limit.

Skylar reaches out, pressing a hand on her shoulder: Let me handle it.

But Sunny doesn't move.

Skylar steps forward. Not trembling. Not crying. Just still.

"The Skylar Trinh who stayed quiet... she's gone," she says quietly. Her voice doesn't shake—it cuts: "A new me was born the moment I stopped waiting for someone to save me."

She meets her aunt's glare with a calm stare.

"As for him," she says, glancing at Julian: "even if he offered me money, I wouldn't take it. And my parents? They're exactly where they belong. You think trafficking humans, aiding attempted murder, and covering for criminals shouldn't come with consequences?"

Julian raises an invisible brow behind her: Why do I always catch strays in these monologues…

Sunny's fists shake at her sides.

"Little Angel!" she shouts: "You're way too polite. I know you're smart and classy, but girl—you need a translator. Let me yell for you!"

Skylar barely turns before Sunny has shoved her gently behind her.

"Little Angel's under my protection now!" she declares.

Julian catches Skylar just before she stumbles. He looks confused.

"Uh. I got her, I guess."

Skylar pulls away quickly: "I can stand. I don't need help from some dainty little prince."

Julian dies a little inside: Dainty? Really? Out of all possible words…

Sunny storms toward the aunt like a soldier charging into battle.

"You piece of garbage! Your whole family is rotting, and still you don't realize how lucky you are to have someone like Skylar! She's brilliant, kind, and stronger than any of you ever deserved!"

The aunt snarls: "You little—"

"SHUT. UP!" Sunny screams: "I'm not done yet!"

"You couldn't take care of her? Fine. WE will. As of now, Skylar officially cuts all ties with you parasites. And if I EVER catch you sniffing around her again, I will personally send you on a luxury river cruise—inside a suitcase!"

She taps her ear dramatically: "You hear me? Etch these words into your rusty skull: BLIND – STUPID – FAKE – CLASSY!"

Skylar walks up beside her. Her voice lowers, soft but amused.

"Hey. Maybe that was too much?"

Sunny flips a finger casually: "Nah. That was the lite version."

The aunt's face turns crimson.

"You brat! No manners at all! You think yelling makes you right? You're all trash!"

"And proud of it," Sunny chirps: "We're bonded trash! Destiny brought us together—like a royal flush of chaos!"

She tilts her head.

"Also... you claim to have manners? Ma'am, where? I can't seem to find them."

"You—How dare—!"

Sunny smirks.

"Real manners mean knowing when to shut your mouth. Especially around children who've already been through hell. Your idea of 'family values' smells like expired tuna."

"I—I was just angry!"

"Ha." Skylar lets out a dry laugh. She leans her head gently on Sunny's shoulder.

"I'm angry too, Auntie. But I don't yell."

"T—That's because—"

"Because I still have a conscience, maybe?" Her voice is ice. "Your words about 'values'... they're cheap. Like plastic pearls."

Julian raises his hand: "May I chime in?"

He smiles. The kind of smile that earns trust... until he speaks.

"Unlike our sunshine here, I don't like violence. It might scare my Sky Baby."

Skylar gives him a thumbs-up: "You finally get me. Just remember—violence only when necessary. Not for show."

Julian's expression softens, then hardens in the same breath. His smile fades into something colder. His gaze no longer smiles.

"If I catch any of you near her again…" he says softly: "I'll have my security team incinerate you."

His head tilts: "A very... gentle death."

The aunt backs away. Her bravado collapses with every step.

"Y-You kids think you're grown now? Just don't come crawling back!"

Julian smiles again, but it doesn't reach his eyes.

"No worries. Expect the official contract to sever all ties by tonight. You'll find a red stamp on it. Very legitimate."

The aunt turns and storms off, her steps unsteady.

"You're all INSANE!"

Silence follows her exit.

Skylar stands there, body still, eyes glazed.

Sunny lets out a long breath: "That. Felt. AMAZING."

Julian places a hand on Skylar's back.

"You okay?"

Skylar doesn't answer immediately. She glances up at the ceiling—plain, cracked, quiet.

"No." she whispers: "But I'm... freer than I was five minutes ago."

She exhales. The air doesn't burn her lungs this time.

"I haven't escaped everything yet. But maybe... this is my first step out."