Chapter 17: Egg

She decided to slap Olivia's face by buying a true VJ ring.

The moment Aurora stepped inside the VJ store, she felt like she had entered another world.

Sparkling rings sat delicately on velvet displays under glowing lights.

The air smelled faintly of lavender and luxury, making Aurora feel slightly out of place in her sneakers and cartoon hoodie.

"Welcome to VJ! How can I help you today?" a sleek salesperson greeted her warmly, though their gaze quickly flicked to Aurora's age and attire.

Aurora stood tall (or as tall as her middle-school height would allow) and declared, "I'm here to buy a ring. A real one!"

The salesperson hesitated, but Aurora pulled out her wallet and flashed a shiny black card.

"Alright, then. Right this way!"

Aurora scanned the shelves, eyes darting between the shimmering options.

Finally, she spotted a modest but elegant silver ring with a small diamond centerpiece.

It had just the right amount of sparkle to make Olivia proud.

"This one," Aurora said, pointing firmly.

"Excellent choice," the salesperson replied. "That will be $300, including tax."

Aurora handed the black card.

Watching the salesperson carefully place the ring in a beautiful white-and-gold box made her feel like she'd just completed a top-secret mission.

"Thank you for shopping at VJ!"

Aurora clutched the bag tightly and dashed out of the store.

"So hateful!" she muttered under her breath.

Still, Aurora wasn't the type to back down. She was on a mission now. With a determined nod, she grabbed her tiny pink backpack, stuffed it with her wallet and a water bottle, and headed straight for the VJ store in town.

The moment Aurora stepped inside the VJ store, she felt like she had entered another world.

Sparkling rings sat delicately on velvet displays under glowing lights. The air smelled faintly of lavender and luxury, making Aurora feel slightly out of place in her sneakers and cartoon hoodie.

"Welcome to VJ! How can I help you today?" a sleek salesperson greeted her warmly, though their gaze quickly flicked to Aurora's age and attire.

Aurora stood tall (or as tall as her middle-school height would allow) and declared, "I'm here to buy a ring. A real one!"

The salesperson hesitated, but Aurora pulled out her wallet and flashed a quick peek of the bills inside.

"Alright, then. Right this way!"

Aurora scanned the shelves, eyes darting between the shimmering options. Finally, she spotted a modest but elegant silver ring with a small diamond centerpiece. It had just the right amount of sparkle to make Olivia proud.

"This one," Aurora said, pointing firmly.

"Excellent choice," the salesperson replied. "That will be $300, including tax."

Aurora handed over the cash, her heart racing. Watching the salesperson carefully place the ring in a beautiful white-and-gold box made her feel like she'd just completed a top-secret mission.

"Thank you for shopping at VJ!"

Aurora clutched the bag tightly and dashed out of the store.

Back home, Aurora found Olivia lounging on the couch, scrolling through her phone with a frown.

Aurora swiftly found Olivia's backpack and placed the box. 

Then she left the area and returned to the living room, acting as if nothing had happened.

"Sister!" Aurora called, practically bouncing over.

"What now?" Olivia groaned, barely looking up.

"I want to eat something! I am feeling hungry~" Aurora blinked.

Olivia frowned impatiently.

"You truly are a baby."

Even though she said so, Olivia stood up and entered the kitchen. Her fingers never left the screen as she continued to browse the rening sites.

"I want to eat a cup noodles~" Aurora shouted.

"Dream on! Just last month you collapsed from visiting the bathroom after eating a pack of cup noodles! " Olivia insulted.

Aurora: "..." Her second sister is truly unlikable!

After what felt like forever, Olivia walked back in, holding a plate of scrambled eggs and toast.

"Here, eat this. And even after eating this you feel hungry, then go and eat the buildings. God knows how much mom was starving when she gave birth to you."

"But I don't want eggs!" Aurora whined, pushing the plate away dramatically.

"Then starve." Olivia crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.

Aurora pouted but started picking at the food.