My Pack Ditched Me on the Holiday. Now, I’m Out of Reach. Chapter 07

My Pack Ditched Me on the Holiday. Now, I’m Out of Reach. Chapter 07

While everyone back home was drowning in regret, I arrived safely in Moor City, where Royal Lycan Academy

was located.

Because of my excellent grades, Royal Lycan Academy waived my tuition.

They also helped me secure another scholarship.

With that money, plus what I’d saved from working during school breaks, I didn’t have to worry about college

expenses.

At least for the next four years, I could breathe easy.

There was still a month before the semester officially started.

Besides exploring the city, I decided to give myself a complete makeover.

I cut off the waist-length hair I’d kept for eighteen years.

In its place, I got a sharp, shoulder-length cut.

Truth be told, I’d never liked long hair.

Ruby had always worn hers long.

Whenever people saw us together, their first reaction was always to praise her.

They’d say she looked like a beautiful little fairy with her flowing hair.

Then they’d turn to me and laugh.

They’d say my short hair made me look like a tomboy, and that no one would ever date me.

To stop people from mocking me, I’d copied Ruby.

I’d grown my hair out.

I’d put away my jeans and started wearing long dresses.

I still remembered the time Ruby walked up to Zane in a dress, her long hair cascading over her shoulders.

I clearly saw his eyes light up.

For the rest of that day, his gaze never left her.

The next morning, I deliberately wore my hair down.

I even borrowed a dress from Ruby to go see Zane.

The moment he saw me, he burst out laughing.

When he finally stopped, he looked me up and down. “Selene, are you trying to show me what a bad imitation

looks like?”

He laughed again. “I’ve never seen an ugly duckling in a princess dress before. It’s hilarious.”

Back then, I thought I just hadn’t copied her well enough.

Only now did I understand.

Every person in the world is unique.

Everyone has something that makes them shine.

But the people around me had gotten used to looking at Ruby first.

They only saw her prettier face.

They completely ignored everything inside me.

Thankfully, I’d finally stepped out of that shadow.

After getting my hair cut, I bought a comfortable pair of pants and a simple top.

With my new look, I went to the harbor.

Under the dazzling city lights, I strolled slowly along the waterfront.

The harbor breeze brushed against my face, bringing a coolness I’d never felt back home.

At the end of the walk, my reflection on the water caught my eye.

The girl in the reflection had a graceful figure.

Her short hair was neatly styled.

But what drew my attention most were her eyes.

They were sharp, confident, and full of life.

The longer I looked, the more my eyes stung.

So, without all the criticism and comparisons, I could be beautiful too. I could stand out.

Here, I was no longer Ruby’s backdrop.

I’d never let irrelevant people judge me again.

I could stand tall and proud before the world.

I could see whatever scenery I wanted.

I could do whatever I wanted.

That day, I tried pastries I’d never dared to touch before.

I ate until the sweetness became almost nauseating.

In the past, Ruby had always been petite and delicate.

I was five foot six.

Even at around a hundred and ten pounds, if I stood next to her, people would call me big.

Now I didn’t have to worry about that anymore.

I stopped caring what others thought.

Whether I weighed a hundred and ten pounds, a hundred and forty-five, or even a hundred and sixty-five, I was

still me.

I was my own unique, one-of-a-kind sparkle, entirely my own.

While I was lost in the joy of my fresh start, everything back home was falling apart.