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MidReal Story
The Only Boy
Scenario:Ashton has to go to a all girl school
Create my version of this story
Liv
Ash
I'm Ashton.
I look like Harley Quinn with long curly hair and a super feminine body.
Yeah, I'm a guy.
Don't give me that look!
I can still kick your ass though.
My parents are in the middle of a divorce, and I have to move in with my grandma in a crappy apartment.
Oh, and I have to go to an all girls school.
Just peachy!
My twin sister Lily is going to be attending the same school.
She's the total opposite of me.
She loves doing gross stuff like ripping farts on others just to see their reactions.
She's got a crush on this one guy named Ethan who goes to an all boys school.
He has no idea she exists, but she's planning something to get his attention.
I have to go to an allgirls school because my mom lost her job and my dad is barely making any money to pay the mortgage and other bills.
I'm back in my tiny bedroom.
I had another argument with Lily about her gross habits.
I'm still trying to get used to the small space between my bed and dresser.
It's barely enough room to do some basic moves, but I need to stay sharp.
I start with some kicks.
I don't want to knock over Grandma's ceramic cats on the windowsill.
I can see myself in the cracked mirror on the wall as I practice roundhouse kicks.
My hair whips around my face.
The floorboards creak beneath my feet.
Grandma yells from downstairs, "What's all the racket?"
I keep going until I accidentally bump the dresser with my foot, knocking over Grandma's prized snow globe.
"Ashton, what was that noise?" Lily called from the hallway, her voice a mix of curiosity and mischief.
"Just practicing my kicks," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant while picking up the shattered pieces.
Lily peeked in, smirking, "You know, if you keep breaking things, Grandma might send us both to Ethan's school for some discipline."
I glared at her, but she just shook her head and disappeared.
I picked up the fallen pieces of the snow globe from the floor, my heart pounding as I examined the damage.
The base had split clean in two, and glittery water pooled on the carpet.
Lily reappeared in my doorway with Mom's super glue from the kitchen junk drawer.
We huddled on my bed, shoulders touching as we carefully pieced the globe back together.
Lily held the parts steady while I applied tiny drops of glue along the seam.
Her hands were steadier than mine, even though she was the one who always broke things.
As I applied the glue to the jagged edges, I noticed something white wedged in the base.
Lily spotted it too.
She carefully pulled it out, and we both froze as we realized what it was - a folded piece of paper.
The glue dripped onto my bedspread as we stared at the crumpled note in Lily's fingers.
With trembling hands, she unfolded it, revealing Grandma's neat cursive.
The date was fifteen years ago, the year Mom and Dad got married.
I swallowed hard as I read the first line: "To my dearest granddaughters, there's something you need to know about your father."
A car door slammed outside.
Grandma was home early from her doctor's appointment.
Lily's eyes met mine, wide with panic.
She shoved the note into my hands, and I quickly stuffed it into my pocket.
The sound of jingling keys echoed from the front door, followed by Grandma's voice calling out, "Girls? Where are you?"
We exchanged a nervous glance and positioned the newly-glued snow globe on my dresser, trying to make it look like it had never fallen.
Grandma's footsteps creaked up the stairs, growing louder as she approached my bedroom.
I held my breath, hoping the glue would hold.
As she entered, her eyes scanned the room before landing on the wet spot on the carpet.
Her gaze narrowed.
"Did you girls spill something?"
Before she could ask more questions, I blurted out, "I found your note."
My hand trembled as I pulled out the folded paper from my pocket.
Instead of anger or surprise, Grandma's face softened.
She sat between us on my bed and took the note from my fingers.
"It's time," she said gently. "This is just the first clue. I planted many more years ago when your parents were still young and in love. Follow them, and they'll lead you to a special wedding gift I hid for your parents."
She squeezed our hands tightly.
Lily's eyes widened with excitement. "A treasure hunt? Grandma, you're full of surprises!"
Grandma chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling. "It's more than just a treasure hunt, dear. It's a journey to understand your family's past and the love that binds us all."
I sat there with Grandma and Lily on my bed, the fixed snow globe between us, but I could hardly focus on Grandma's story about the wedding clues.
My chest felt tight as I twisted the hem of my shirt, thinking about tomorrow.
Tomorrow was my first day at Ethan's School for Girls.
After Mom and Dad's divorce left us broke, Mom had enrolled me there, saying that my feminine looks would help me blend in.
But they didn't know the truth - that I wasn't a girl at all.
I wanted to tell them, to scream it from the rooftop.
But Grandma kept talking about Mom's wedding dress while Lily bounced excitedly beside me, eager to start searching for more clues.
I excused myself, saying I needed to use the bathroom, and retreated to the hallway bathroom.
I stared at my reflection in the mirror - long blonde hair, delicate features, and a feminine figure that made me cringe.
It was perfect for blending in at Ethan's, but it was a constant reminder of the lie I'd been living.
I could hear Lily and Grandma talking about the wedding clue through the thin walls.
Lily's voice rose with excitement, followed by Grandma's soothing tone.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed outside my door.
It sounded like Grandma coming to check on me.
The door creaked as she knocked softly.
"Olivia? Are you alright?"
I cracked open the door, meeting Grandma's concerned eyes in the mirror's reflection.
Her gentle hand rested on my shoulder, and her eyes studied my face with knowing understanding.
"Whenever you're ready, you can tell me anything," she whispered, leaving me with a glimmer of hope in the quiet hallway.
I leaned against the bathroom sink, my heart pounding in my chest.
Grandma's words echoed in my mind like a gentle breeze.
But it was her understanding eyes that made the truth burn in my throat.
I glanced up at the crack in the door, where the hallway mirror reflected a split image of myself, with my long blonde hair and my sister's old sweater - a feminine disguise I'd been wearing for far too long.
My fingers gripped the sink edge until they turned white, the weight of pretending crushing me.
I opened my mouth to tell her, to finally confess.
But Lily's voice called from the living room, "Grandma! I found another clue!"
I released my grip on the sink, watching as the color returned to my knuckles.
Through the thin walls, I heard Grandma's gentle voice and Lily's excited chatter about Mom's old jewelry box.
My legs felt heavy, as if they were stuck in place.
But I knew I had to move forward.
I shuffled down the hallway, the wooden floor creaking beneath my feet.
As I approached the living room, Grandma and Lily sat cross-legged on the carpet, their heads bent over a yellowed piece of paper.
They looked up as I entered, their faces filled with concern.
"I need to tell you something," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
They sat frozen, Grandma's hands holding the paper tightly, Lily's eyes wide with anticipation.
I stood in the doorway, my throat tightening, as the afternoon sun cast long shadows across the worn carpet.
The ticking of Grandma's antique clock echoed through the room, a steady beat that seemed to match the pounding of my heart.
I took a step forward, then another, until I was close enough to sink down onto the floor beside them.
"I've been hiding who I am, and it's time you both knew the truth."
I sat cross-legged on the carpet, Grandma's warm hand steady on my shoulder as Lily watched me intently.
The wedding clue lay forgotten between us, the words blurring together in a sea of ink.
My fingers twisted the hem of my sweater, searching for the right words to say.
The ones that had been trapped inside me for far too long.
"I'm not..." I started, then stopped as my voice cracked.
Grandma squeezed my shoulder encouragingly, her eyes filled with understanding.
The clock ticked away, its rhythmic sound deafening in the silence that followed.
I took a deep breath, focusing on a loose thread in the carpet.
"I'm not the person you think I am," I finally managed, my voice trembling.
Lily's eyes widened further, her curiosity piqued. "What do you mean? You're still you, right?"
Grandma's gaze softened as she nodded, urging me to continue. "We love you no matter what, dear. Just tell us what's in your heart."
I reached for the wedding clue paper, needing something to hold onto as I tried to make sense of their acceptance.
As I picked it up from the floor, my fingers trembled, causing the paper to unfold.
A small black and white photo slipped out, falling face down on the carpet.
Grandma gasped, her eyes fixed on the image.
She stretched out a hand, her fingers hovering over the photograph as if it were precious treasure.
I turned it over, revealing a young man in a flowing dress standing beside Grandma at her own wedding.
His smile was radiant, his eyes shining with happiness.
"Who is that?" asked Lily, her voice filled with wonder.
Grandma's gaze remained fixed on the photo, her voice barely above a whisper.
"That's Robert. My brother."
Lily's brow furrowed in confusion.
"But why is he wearing a dress?"
Grandma's eyes welled up with tears as she gently touched the image.
"Robert was different. He lived as Rachel."
My chest tightened as I absorbed her words.
"He was like me," I whispered, my voice trembling.
Grandma nodded, her eyes filled with understanding.
"Yes, dear. Robert was brave enough to be himself. But back then, people didn't understand."
Lily's face darkened as she grasped the truth.
I clutched the photo tightly, the edges worn and faded from years past.
Tears blurred my vision as I gazed at Great-Uncle Robert's image.
The silence in the room grew heavy, thick with emotions unspoken.
Finally, I found the courage to speak the words that had been locked inside me for far too long.
"I'm like him," I whispered, gesturing to the photo.
"I'm not Olivia. I'm not a girl. My name is Ashton."
Lily's eyes widened in recognition, her gaze darting between me and the photo.
Grandma's arms enveloped me in a warm hug, her embrace speaking volumes without needing words.
When she finally released me, her eyes shone with tears.
"We've always known you were special, Ashton," Grandma said softly, her voice steady.
Lily nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Yeah, and you're still my sibling, no matter what."
Grandma wiped her eyes and added, "We'll stand by you, just like we would have for Rachel."
I sat back, crossing my legs in a way that felt natural, and clutched Great-Uncle Robert's photo tightly.
I took a deep breath and continued, "I've always known I was different. I just didn't know how to explain it. I've been ordering clothes online for a while now. Boys' clothes."
Lily's eyes widened in surprise.
I nodded.
"I hide them under my mattress. It's easier to order them online because I don't have to try them on in a dressing room."
I shuddered at the memory of the times Mom had forced me to try on dresses.
I hated being trapped in a small space with mirrors and lights, feeling like an animal on display.
Lily looked confused.
"What do you mean?"
She asked, her voice full of curiosity.
I swallowed hard, trying to explain.
"When Mom makes me try on clothes, it's like torture. She makes me wear dresses that feel wrong, and I get so anxious that I end up crying in the dressing room."
Lily's face fell as understanding dawned on her.
"Oh, Ashton," she whispered.
I took another breath, needing to keep going.
"I've been trying to lower my voice too," I admitted, glancing down at my lap.
"When I'm alone in my room, I practice speaking deeper."
Lily suddenly sat up straighter.
"Is that why you got so angry when I borrowed your hoodies?" she asked.
I nodded again, feeling a mix of emotions welling up inside me. "They're baggy and comfortable," I explained softly.
"They make me feel like myself. And when you wore them without asking, it felt like you were taking away a part of who I am."
Grandma reached for her phone, her eyes filled with determination.
"It's time we called Mom," she said firmly.
"But before we do, is there anything else you want to tell us?"
I looked at Grandma and Lily, feeling a wave of gratitude wash over me.
"I'm scared," I confessed, my voice shaking again.
"I don't know how to tell Mom and Dad. And now that Ethan's School is coming up soon..."
My throat tightened as tears welled up again.
"I'm terrified of having to hide who I am around all those people."
Lily reached out and squeezed my hand gently.
"We'll be here for you every step of the way," she reassured me.
Grandma picked up her old rotary phone, the kind that you have to turn a dial to get the numbers.
Each number took forever to dial.
I gripped the armrest of her floral couch, watching as she waited for Mom to answer.
Lily sat close beside me, holding my sweaty palm in hers.
The wedding photo of Great-Uncle Robert lay on the coffee table between us, reminding me of his bravery and giving me strength.
When Mom's voice crackled through the receiver, Grandma's eyes met mine for a moment before she spoke.
"Hey, can you come over right away? It's important."
There was a pause as Mom responded, her words indistinguishable from my position on the couch.
"I'm busy at work right now," she replied, her voice strained.
"I can't just leave in the middle of an open house."
Grandma's grip on the receiver tightened, her jaw clenched in determination.
"It's important, Sarah," she said firmly.
"I'll explain when you get here."
After a brief pause, Mom relented.
"Fine. I'll be there in twenty minutes."
Grandma hung up the phone and turned to me, her expression serious.
"Mom will be here soon."
I nodded, feeling a mix of emotions swirl inside me.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang, startling me so much that I nearly knocked Grandma's phone off the coffee table.
I jumped up to answer it, peering through the peephole to see who it was.
On the front step stood a woman in a navy suit, her dark hair pulled back in a tight ponytail.
I recognized her immediately as Ethan, the headmistress of the all-girls school I was about to attend.
My heart pounded in my chest as I opened the door, stepping aside to let her in.
Ethan stepped inside, her eyes scanning the room before coming to rest on Robert's wedding photo still on the coffee table.
She walked over to it and picked it up, studying it intently for a moment before turning back to me.
"I knew him," she said softly, her voice filled with emotion.
"He was my mentor when I first started teaching. He helped me get my start."
She placed the photo back on the table and walked over to where I was sitting next to Lily on the couch.
She sat down beside me, placing a hand on my shoulder.
"I already know who you are," she said gently.
I watched as she pulled her phone out of her pocket and dialed a number.
She held it up to her ear, waiting for someone to answer.
After a moment, she spoke into the receiver, her voice firm and authoritative.
"Hello, I need to speak with Sarah," she said.
A pause followed as she listened to the response from the other end of the line.
"I don't care if she's in the middle of an open house," she continued.
"I have an urgent matter to discuss with her regarding Ashton's enrollment at my school. Put her on the phone now."
Another pause, and then Ethan placed the phone on speakerphone so we could all hear.
Mom's voice came through loud and clear from the other end of the line.
"This is Sarah. Who's this?"
Ethan's eyes locked onto mine before she replied, "It's Ethan, headmistress of Ashton's school. I'm here at your mother's house right now. I suggest you get here as soon as possible."
There was another pause as Mom absorbed what she'd just been told.
"What does this have to do with Ashton's enrollment?" she asked finally.
"It's best that we discuss this in person," Ethan replied firmly.
"I'm willing to make a deal with you. If you agree to pro-bono three client cases through our school's legal aid program, I'll allow Ashton to attend our school."
My hands gripped the couch cushions tightly as I waited for Mom's response. "Okay," she said finally.
"I'll be there in five minutes."
Ethan ended the call and stood up from the couch.
Mom will be here any minute," she said, turning to me and Lily.
"Let's go outside for a minute."
We followed her out onto Grandma's back porch, where we sat down in some old patio chairs that looked like they hadn't been used in years.
Lily squeezed my arm reassuringly as Ethan sat down beside me, looking at me with understanding eyes.
Suddenly, Grandma appeared behind us with Robert's photo still clutched tightly in her hand.
She walked over and placed it gently on the table beside me before patting my shoulder softly and heading back inside.
I heard the doorbell ring again just a few minutes later, much sooner than I'd expected.
I gripped the doorknob tightly, my palm sweaty against the brass as Mom stood on the porch in her wrinkled work suit.
Behind me, Ethan's heels clicked on Grandma's hardwood floor as she approached from the living room.
Lily hovered near the staircase, clutching Great-Uncle Robert's photo tightly in her hand.
Mom's eyes darted between us, her briefcase dropping slightly in her grip when she spotted Ethan.
I stepped back to let her in, bumping into the coat rack and causing the hangers to rattle loudly.
The scent of Mom's perfume mixed with Grandma's potpourri as she entered, filling my senses and making my throat tighten.
"What's going on?" she asked, looking at me and Lily before turning to Ethan.
Ethan took a deep breath, her voice steady.
"Ashton's enrollment is contingent on a favor, Sarah," she said.
Mom's eyes narrowed, suspicion creeping into her voice.
"I'm listening," she replied curtly.
Ethan gestured toward the kitchen, where a small wooden table and chairs sat against the wall.
"Let's talk in here," she said, leading us inside.
Mom followed close behind, her heels clicking on the tile floor as we took our seats at the table.
Lily remained standing, watching from the doorway as Grandma reappeared with a tray of steaming tea cups.
She set them down between us before returning to her bedroom, Robert's photo still clutched tightly in her hand.
Mom and Ethan sat across from each other, their voices growing louder as they discussed the details of my enrollment.
I shifted uncomfortably in my chair, my eyes darting over to Lily, who still stood in the doorway.
She watched me intently for a moment before beckoning me over with a nod of her head.
I stood up and joined her by the stairs, following her silently into Grandma's bedroom.
The curtains were drawn tight, blocking out any sunlight that might have filtered through the thick floral drapes.
Lily closed the door behind us before crossing to Grandma's bed and lifting up the corner of the mattress.
She reached underneath it with one hand, her fingers feeling around until they came into contact with something paper-thin. She pulled it out slowly, holding it up to the dim light filtering through the curtains.
It was an envelope, yellowed with age and addressed to me in Great-Uncle Robert's handwriting.
I took it from her gently, my hands trembling as I turned it over in my hands.
Lily sat down on Grandma's bed beside me, waiting silently as I opened it and pulled out a letter folded inside.
It was dated just three days before Great-Uncle Robert died - only three weeks ago, but it felt like a lifetime since then.
My heart pounded in my chest as I unfolded it and began to read:
Dear Ashton,
By now you should know who you really are - who you've been all along.
I know this must be overwhelming for you, but I'm so proud of you for finally being brave enough to admit your true self to Mom and Lily.
When I saw you again at Grandma's funeral, I knew right away that you were different this time. I remember when we first met when you were just six years old and visiting from New York.
You were so much like me back then - always getting into trouble and never afraid to speak your mind.
I clutched Great-Uncle Robert's letter tightly in my hands as I walked down Grandma's narrow hallway toward the kitchen.
The floorboards creaked beneath my feet, the sound echoing off the walls and mixing with the muffled voices of Mom and Headmistress Ethan.
They grew louder as I approached the doorway, their words becoming clearer with each step.
I could hear Mom talking about legal fees, but Ethan's voice was calm and steady in response.
Lily followed closely behind me, her hand on my shoulder as we stood in the doorway together.
Inside, Mom sat at Grandma's small wooden table, her briefcase open in front of her with papers scattered across the surface.
Ethan sat opposite her, her eyes fixed intently on Mom's face.
I took a deep breath before stepping into the room, my voice shaking as I spoke. "Mom," I said, placing Great-Uncle Robert's letter and photo on the table between them.
She turned to me, her eyes flashing angrily as she opened her mouth to argue about the school.
But before she could say anything, I continued:
"There's something you need to know about me, about who I am."
Her expression shifted from anger to confusion, her eyes searching mine for answers.
Ethan leaned forward slightly, her voice gentle but firm. "This is important, Sarah. Please listen to Ashton."
I stood at the kitchen table, my hands pressed against the cool wood for support.
Mom's eyes flicked between me and the letter, her confusion deepening with each passing second.
Sweat trickled down my neck, pooling at the collar of my shirt as I forced myself to maintain eye contact.
"I'm a guy, Mom," I said, my voice cracking slightly as the words hung in the air.
The pen slipped from Mom's fingers, rolling across the legal papers on the table.
Lily moved closer to me, her shoulder touching mine as she stood beside me.
Headmistress Ethan remained perfectly still, her eyes fixed on Mom's face.
Grandma moved behind Mom's chair, standing silently as the kitchen clock ticked loudly in the silence.
Mom's eyes softened, and she reached out to hold my hand.
I held it tightly, watching as Headmistress Ethan reached into the breast pocket of her navy blazer.
She pulled out a yellowed envelope, its edges worn and crinkled with age.
She passed it to Mom, who took it from her with trembling fingers.
"This was in Robert's old desk at the school," Ethan said quietly.
"It was addressed to you, but there was no return address. I'm not sure how he planned to get it to you."
Mom turned the envelope over in her hands, studying it intently before finally opening it.
She pulled out a folded letter, its pages yellowed and stiff with age.
She unfolded it slowly, smoothing out the creases before holding it up to the dim light filtering through the kitchen window.
The envelope had been addressed to "My Dearest Family," and Mom's eyes grew wide as she read the first line of the letter.
"Robert wrote this?" she asked incredulously, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ethan nodded solemnly, her eyes fixed on Mom's face.
Mom's grip tightened around my hand as she continued reading, her eyes scanning the pages rapidly. "It says here that we're descended from British nobility," she said, her voice filled with wonder.
"Apparently our ancestors fled England in the 1800s during some sort of scandal. They came to America and lived under assumed identities for fear of being discovered."
She paused for a moment, her eyes scanning the letter again as if searching for answers.
"It says that some of them even changed their names and started new families," she continued, her voice filled with emotion.
"That must be how Robert knew about us."
Mom's grip around my hand loosened slightly as she continued reading the letter, her eyes growing wider with each passing line.
"But there's more," she said, her voice trembling.
Ethan leaned in closer, her expression unreadable.
"Robert left instructions for you, Ashton," she said softly.
Mom's hands trembled as she unfolded the second page of the letter, her eyes fixed intently on the yellowed paper.
Lily moved closer, leaning over my shoulder as we all gathered around Grandma's small kitchen table.
Headmistress Ethan stood silently behind us, her presence a steady reminder of the school and its secrets.
The words on the page were cryptic, but their meaning was clear.
Robert had left behind a hidden family heirloom, one that was meant specifically for me.
Mom's voice wavered as she read aloud from the letter, her eyes shining with unshed tears.
"It says here that Robert left his most precious possession for you," she said softly, her voice filled with emotion.
"He writes that he wants you to have something that has been passed down through generations of our family."
I felt a lump form in my throat as I realized what this could mean.
"Mom, what is it?"
I asked, my voice shaking slightly. She paused for a moment, her hands trembling as she continued reading the letter.
"Robert writes that he left his antique pocket watch in a hidden location," she said softly.
"He says it's been passed down through our family for centuries, and that it's the most important family heirloom we own."
I felt a surge of excitement mixed with fear at the thought of finding something so valuable.
But I knew I had to find it - not just for myself, but for my family and our legacy.
"Where did he hide it?"
I asked, my voice filled with determination.
Mom's eyes grew wide as she continued reading the letter, her voice filled with wonder.
"It says here that Robert hid the watch somewhere on the school grounds," she said softly.
"He writes that he wanted you to have it once you were old enough to appreciate its value."
I felt a lump form in my throat as I realized the significance of this moment. "It says here that Robert wants you to follow these coordinates to find the watch," Mom said softly, her voice filled with emotion.
She held up the letter, its pages yellowed and stiff with age.
The coordinates were written in neat script, accompanied by a cryptic message about following one's heart to find true treasure.
"Robert writes that he wants you to find the watch on your own," Mom said softly.
"He says that it's up to you to figure out where he hid it."
Lily squeezed my shoulder reassuringly, her voice a whisper.
"We'll help you, Ashton. You're not alone in this."
Ethan nodded, her eyes meeting mine with a determined glint.
"The school's history is intertwined with your family's. Together, we'll uncover the truth."
I sat in Grandma's kitchen, the letter from Robert spread out before me.
Mom and Headmistress Ethan were in the living room, discussing the finer points of my enrollment at the all-girls school.
Lily sat beside me, her eyes fixed on the letter as I studied it more closely.
Something about Robert's description of the pocket watch didn't sit right with me.
He had written that it "showed the way" and "revealed truth."
It sounded almost magical, like something out of a fairy tale.
I pointed this out to Lily, who leaned in closer to examine the letter more closely.
She frowned, her eyes scanning the margins of the paper.
"There's something here," she said softly, her finger tracing a series of sketched symbols along the edge of the page.
I peered at them more closely, but they meant nothing to me.
They looked like some sort of code, but I couldn't decipher their meaning. Mom appeared in the doorway, her eyes fixed on the letter in front of me.
"What is it?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.
Lily pointed to the symbols sketched along the edge of the page.
"I'm not sure what they mean," she said softly.
"But Robert mentions them in his letter."
Mom's eyes grew wide as she reached into her wallet and pulled out an old photograph.
It was a picture of Robert, his face smiling as he held up a gleaming silver pocket watch.
The chain was long and thin, with intricate markings etched into its length.
I felt a jolt of recognition as I saw those markings - they were identical to those sketched along the edge of Robert's letter. "This is it," Mom breathed, her voice filled with emotion.
"This must be where Robert hid his family heirloom."
I took the photograph from Mom's hand, studying it more closely.
The pocket watch itself was beautiful, its face adorned with intricate engravings that shimmered in the dim light of Grandma's kitchen.
But it was the chain that truly caught my eye - those markings seemed almost otherworldly, like something from another time and place entirely.
Suddenly, Ethan appeared behind us, her eyes fixed intently on the photograph in my hand.
She reached out to take it from me, her fingers closing around it with a possessive grip.
For a moment, she stood there frozen, her face pale and drawn.
"Where did you find this?"
Ethan asked, her voice filled with a mix of awe and trepidation.
Mom's eyes grew wide as she passed her the letter from Robert.
"It was in his desk at the school," she said softly.
"He left it for Ashton."
Ethan nodded, her gaze still fixed on the photograph.
"Robert was a brilliant man," she said softly.
"But he was also a bit of an eccentric."
She paused, her eyes meeting mine with a determined glint.
"I have a feeling that this is just the beginning of our journey."
Lily sat beside me, her eyes fixed on the letter from Robert.
"What do you think it means?"
I asked, my voice filled with uncertainty.
She shook her head, her gaze still fixed on the photograph.
"I'm not sure," she said softly.
"But I think we're about to uncover something big."
I leaned forward, my fingers tracing the edge of the wooden table where Robert had written his message.
The wood was worn and smooth to the touch, but as I ran my fingers along its length, I felt something give beneath my pressure. "What's that?"
Lily asked, her eyes growing wide as she leaned closer to examine the mark more closely.
"It looks like some sort of seam," I replied, my voice filled with wonder.
Mom and Headmistress Ethan were in the living room, discussing the finer points of my enrollment at the all-girls school.
But as they heard the scraping sound of wood against wood, they turned sharply in their seats.
Ethan rose from her chair and hurried over to where Lily and I were sitting at Grandma's small kitchen table.
"What have you found?" she asked breathlessly, her eyes fixed intently on the mark I had uncovered in the wood.
I shrugged, unsure of what I had discovered.
But as I continued tracing my finger along the edge of the table, more marks appeared beneath my touch.
They were small and subtle, almost imperceptible unless you knew where to look. Ethan leaned closer, her eyes growing wider with each passing moment.
"This is incredible," she breathed softly.
"We've never seen anything like it before."
Suddenly, a small panel sprang open beneath my hands, revealing a velvet-lined compartment hidden within the wooden tabletop itself.
