C2 A Life in Ruins

Theo was not generally a superstitious person, but the way the house sat there, it was like it was looking at her. Waiting.

The wind blew with a chill like that of death itself as Theo trudged up the winding driveway of Vanderviere manor, her worn Converses crunching on the pristine white gravel. She wrapped her arms around her own waist and tried to huddle into herself like a small child afraid of the dark. She surveyed the sprawling Tudor style house, its tall arched windows and intricate stonework illuminated in the golden sunlight. A towering oak tree draped over a brick archway at the entrance to the property, and she could see ivy creeping up one side of the façade. Despite its grandeur, the mansion was eerily silent, like something out of an old Gothic novel.

Her stepfamily's ostentatious display of wealth never failed to make Theo's skin crawl. Marble fountains, manicured hedges and a fleet of luxury cars populated the front courtyard—all funded by her stepfather's shady business deals.

Theo quickened her pace, eager to escape the judgmental stares of the stone gargoyles perched along the roof. She slipped through the front door and breathed a sigh of relief at the familiar warmth and clutter of the foyer. At least the interior of the house felt lived in, even if the upper echelons of high society frequented their lavish parties.

“Ah, there you are!” Her mother Sharon pranced into the foyer, clapping her hands together with glee. “I was just about to call you.”

Theo offered her a warm smile and shrugged off her backpack. "Sorry, JoJo and I got caught up studying after school."

Sharon gave Theo an affectionate gaze, tenderly tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. "I'm so proud that you're taking your studies seriously - you don't have to push yourself too hard; your grades are already looking amazing!"

"I'm okay, Mom. Just keeping busy." Theo didn't have the heart to tell her mother the truth—that she immersed herself in schoolwork and a job to avoid her glamorous stepfamily and their judgmental friends.

The sound of bickering voices and stomping footsteps signaled the arrival of her stepsiblings. Caleb and Catherine burst into the foyer, shoving at each other in their haste.

Catherine sniffed at Theo, her nose crinkling in distaste. "Ugh, did something die in here?"

Theo gritted her teeth against a retort, irritation simmering in her veins. She didn't know what she had done to earn Catherine Vandeviere's disdain, but her step-sister never missed an opportunity to throw thorns in her direction.

Caleb cuffed Catherine on the arm, his expression stern. "Enough. Be nice."

Catherine rolled her eyes but fell silent. Theo breathed a quiet sigh of relief, grateful for Caleb's unspoken support. At least one member of this family didn't seem to resent her presence.

Sharon lightly patted Theo's shoulder. "Why don't you go spruce up for dinner? It should be ready soon enough."

Theo nodded, turning toward the sweeping staircase. "Another night of forced awkward family time to endure", she thought to herself. At least she had her mother's love and the solace of her own room to look forward to.

“Let’s dig in everyone!” Her mother cheerfully declared as she passed around the plates of food. The tantalizing aroma of roast chicken filled the air. She frowned at her plate, pushing a small piece of broccoli around with her fork. Her mother’s attempt at getting her to eat more green veggies. She quickly savored down the chicken and aromatic rice.

As they all talked about their precious friends, what they had or didn't have, it drove Theo mad. She managed a polite smile before abruptly standing from the table. "Thank you, Mom. Dinner was delicious as always." she muttered under her breath as she quickly rushed away. "I'll never be like them," she thought bitterly.

Once outside the gate and down the road she picked up her pace, marching through town past familiar shops and cafés. People eyed her curiously as she marched faster, her thoughts of home becoming a distant hum. Before long, Theo arrived at Maggie's Diner for her shift - head clear of thoughts but body still humming with anger.

She stepped inside and immediately tided on an apron over her jeans and t-shirt. Her best friend JoJo waved from behind the counter, already taking orders from customers seated at the bar.

Theo grinned, making her way over to join her. "Hey, did we get a big party in tonight or something?" Several additional tables had been set up, the diner busier than usual for a Tuesday evening.

"There was some event at Oakwood," JoJo said, jerking her chin toward a large group of teenagers in designer clothes, chattering loudly over milkshakes and French-fries. "The privileged are slumming it with the common folk tonight."

Theo snorted, scanning the crowd for familiar faces. Many of her classmates were children of politicians, celebrities, and CEOs—the crème de la crème of elite society. She stuck out like a sore thumb in their perfectly manicured midst. "Lucky us. More tips, at least."

"That's the spirit." JoJo nudged her with an elbow, her brown eyes glinting with amusement. "Now get out there and charm the Gucci pants off of them."

Theo gave her a mock salute, grabbing a tray of waters to distribute. As she made her way around the tables, she overheard snippets of conversation.

“Do come over to my house tonight, just in case I feel lonesome.” One of the Oakwood boys said as his eyes crawled over Theo, licking his lips.

"She's not exactly the generous type, remember?” Another replied, all of them tittering.

“That’s alright—Clifford can make up for it with his…generosity.” Theo said through clenched teeth staring at the boy across from her. She slapped the tray of drinks down in front of them.

Her gaze was unflinching and strong; no chance she was going to show her vulnerability under their cruel remarks.

After an uncomfortable pause, she sneered “So enjoy tonight!” before turning away.

For a moment, their faces radiated fury—soon enough, some started to snicker and elbow each other. The tension lessened, one of the boys even giving her a sly grin. “Aren't you full of surprises?”

Theo simply raised an eyebrow and continued on to the next table. Her sharp tongue may have set them off-guard, but it was also her most powerful weapon when dealing with these bullies. She would use any means necessary to protect herself in the stormy waters of high school.

Theo made her rounds, distributing drinks and taking orders from the patrons of the diner. The Oakwood boys huddled together with their own conversations, barely glancing in her direction again. She could feel their eyes on her back though as she walked away.

But she didn't let it bother her; these were lives of privilege she would never know—but she didn't envy them. She had everything she needed right here: loyal friends, regular shifts at Maggie's, a chance to escape the expectations that followed everyone from Oakwood Academy around like an invisible shadow.

Meanwhile, back at the table, Theo could overhear snatches of conversation about parties and girls, comparing summer homes and cars like they were collecting Pokémon cards.

Theo managed a tight-lipped smile as she delivered burgers and fries to the group. Thankfully none of them said anything to her.

If only they knew all the things they were missing out on by living such sheltered lives - how different they'd be if they spent just one day walking in her shoes!

But there wasn't time to wallow in such thoughts now; there were still tables to wait on and orders to take care of. With a deep breath, Theo pushed all her worries away for now and buckled down for the rest of the shift - knowing that whatever came next, at least she had this place to come home to.

An older couple at a booth caught her eye, waving her over. As Theo approached, the woman said kindly, "Dear, would you bring us a slice of pie to share? And an extra fork?"

Theo smiled, warmth flooding her cheeks. "Of course. I'll be right back with that."

Small kindnesses made the thorns easier to bear. She retrieved a generous slice of Maggie's famous apple pie, grabbing an extra fork and two small plates. By the time she returned, the Oakwood group had left—but in their place sat a familiar worn leather jacket.

Her heart stuttered as she hurried over, hardly daring to hope. But there he was, nursing a cup of coffee at the counter: the old man who had been coming to Maggie's for as long as Theo could remember.

She quickly placed the plates, forks and slice of pie in front of the elderly couple then rushed back to the kitchen area and grabbed another slice of warm pie.

She slid onto the stool beside the worn leather jacket, nudging his arm. "Where have you been? I haven't seen you in weeks."

He turned to face her, creases fanning from the corners of his pale eyes. "Hello, little raven. I had business to attend to." His gravelly tone was fond. "But I heard there was pie to be had here, so I came running."

Theo set the pie and plates before him with a grin. "As if you need an excuse to come to Maggie's."

"Guilty as charged." He broke off a piece of pie, pushing the plate toward her in silent offer. She accepted it without hesitation.

They sat in comfortable silence, the old man's presence easing the tension of her shift in a way that nothing else could. He was the one person who saw her for who she truly was—not as an outsider or a charity case, but as Theodora Finley. Brave, smart, and strong-willed.

Here, she was home.

Theo wiped down the counter as the last customer left, glancing up at the clock. Nearly midnight—she'd close up shop and head home soon. Home. The thought soured her mood instantly.

The old man set down his empty mug, studying her with knowing eyes. "Trouble at home again?"

She grimaced. "When isn't there?" Sighing, she leaned against the counter and ran a hand through her hair. "I just don't belong there. In that giant house, with all those rich kids and their fancy cars and designer clothes...it's like I'm playing dress-up, pretending to be something I'm not."

"You're too hard on yourself," he said gently. "Your circumstances don't define you."

"I know, but—" Theo bit her lip. "They make me feel out of place. Lesser, somehow."

"Nonsense." He squeezed her shoulder. "You have a good heart, and a strong spirit. No amount of money or privilege can buy that."

She offered him a wry smile. "Thanks. I needed to hear that."

The old man just chuckled, ruffling her hair before sliding off the stool. "Now, finish closing up. I'll walk you home, make sure you get there safe."

Theo didn't argue. She flipped the sign on the door to CLOSED, the old man's words echoing in her mind. He was right—she was enough, even in a world that made her feel like she never would be.