Chapter 21

Scarlett’s POV

The outing was amazing; for the first time in my life, I saw a squirrel. The excitement was overwhelming, and everyone looked at me like I was crazy when I screamed. But truth be told, I never thought I would enjoy it so much. Being outdoors is one of the best things there is. I wish I could do it more often; it might help me relax.

I find it exhausting to work more than eight hours a day. These last few days, I had to cover for a coworker who got sick. My mother tells me I should quit and find another job. But what can I do when what I love is the only thing I studied? She doesn’t know how much I struggle to coexist with people passionate about art and who pursue it. Because deep down, I also wish I could be devoting myself to that.

My family issues are strange. Mom isn’t great with words, and dad usually does whatever mom says, and that complicates everything. It seems like a bad joke that I don’t want to hear. Sometimes I wish they’d take