Cleo woke up the next morning in her new dorm. It felt odd to wake up at a later time than five in the morning to clean up after her drunk mother. Sitting up with a yawn, Cleo checked the time on the clock before seeing it was 8:45.

Good thing it was Saturday.

Going down to the dinning area, she watched the news while eating her freshly cooked breakfast from the buffet. Taking in the surroundings while the chatter of others was heard along with the news.

"Today's forecast shows a fifty chance percent of rain."

Rain huh?

Cleo heard other complain and gripe about how their outdoorsy plans was ruined. To her, it was nothing knew.

She often got herself kicked out on purpose to walk in the rain. While playing the "Mom kicked me out" card to others who didn't know the full story.

If often worked since Jolene would get egged and attack the next day. Or a few more days into a week. Depends on how Cleo feels like straining the card.

Now, she swore to never be like her mother but, every now and then she acts like her. Cleo can pull the victim card and turn the story around, just like her mother dearest can.

If Jolene can make herself look like a devoting mother, Cleo can pull that card but as a devoting daughter.

Her reasoning that is very convincing? "I just want to make my mother proud of me. She gave me the bare minimum cause she struggled so much to care for me, so I want to come back stronger and support her."

It worked every time. After that, everyone stopped asking Cleo about her mother.

Which made the once submissive daughter very happy.

We all know Cleo isn't really gonna support her mother.

She just said it because it sounded truthful. It was at one point, she did work to keep her mother and herself afloat but, this time?

It's just gonna be used for her own selfish reasons. Not really selfish if your just returning the affection your deadbeat guardian given to you.

So, after breakfast, Cleo moved on to explore the campus. She even was greeted by some people in the process who didn't know about the Bourgeois Scandal. Which is good, she didn't want to be reminded of what her mother did with the mayor and she had to take the blame for it.

To not just rely on the scholarship, Cleo looked for a job to get herself more money since the scholarship money is gonna help her through Everington Prep.

One company taken her in on the spot named Il Giardino. A popular restaurant who has five michelin stars from pro chefs, costumers and tourists.

The owner Deacon Kanan and his wife, Shelia Kanan, are such welcoming restaurant owners.

Plus side despite being a worker after school? It has promising pay, depending on her service. Which does help her regain all the other money her mother spent on alcohol and herself to look appealing for young men. Since her mother is so beautiful, Jolene can work at a hostess club or something.

Anything that uses her body.

Since she is proud of her body!

Jolene can use her body to make money.

A bit later, Cleo came back to her dorm and to her surprise, some mail was there in her mailbox on the wall. Humming, she takes out the mail and reads it. Chuckling a bit, she realized it was the old landlord from the apartment complex she use to live in with her mother.

Details short, it just shows that the landlord is proud of Cleo and wishes her luck for the future. Also the promise of making Jolene's life hell if needed.

Cleo chuckles more, then heads into the dorm. Closes the door behind her, "Ah, I always did admire the landlord. Or was it complex owner?" She throws the letter away anyway, happy that at least one of her adults at her former home is supportive of her. "No matter, at least the landlord supports me."

Cleo wonders if her former bosses will get the memo of the departure. Some of them don't care, others are supportive but, they mostly want money in their wallet. In truth, Cleo only got those jobs because of Jolene using her body to get Cleo those jobs.

In truth, Cleo does wonder how her mother is doing. Probably drinking herself oblivion still unaware that her cash cow left.

Or still thinks she is being stubborn or working at one of her many jobs to support her alcoholic ass.

Who knows? It's her mother who runs on substance abuse with alcoholism mixed within it.

Though, that isn't her concern at this current moment. Cleo has to worry about how she is gonna do her first day at work tomorrow on a Sunday around 9-2.

After school on the weekdays and works Saturday in the morning around 10-2.

"I hope to make you proud, Mr. Kanan! Gonna make sure of it." Cleo said to herself in determination.

At least she has a job that was chosen by herself and not by her mother!

Choosing her own job is another step to gain independence and freedom from her mother's greedy hands.

She is going to free of the amount of trials, trauma, bullying and tournament. The mentally, emotionally, and physically kind of course.

That her own mother put upon her!  

One day, Cleo will completely be rid of that heinous woman's voice within her own conscious.

Even when far away, Cleo is still haunted by the voice of that woman.

Though, this is a start for her own sake and health.

Less contact or thoughts about that woman.

The better..