Chapter 2: It's 15 Years ago?

Opening her eyes, Nicole looked out of the car window as the scenery passed by her.

When she woke up this morning, all these images and memories were already in her mind. It was too vivid to be a dream and even this morning gave her a strange sense of deja vu.

Who knew why she had been reborn but what she knew is; its 15 years in the past and, she's now seven years old. It was at this point that her sister started making her life a living hell but, this time she wouldn't give her a chance.

She turned to her sister who was also looking out the window.

Looking at Veronica's sweet face, you wouldn't think she could even harm a fly.

Nicole's sister seemed to notice her gaze and turned to Nicole flashing a brilliant smile.

Before Nicole didn't notice anything odd about her sister's smile, now looking closer; malice and jealousy were shining in those seemingly warm pupils.

Probably because she was young and didn't know how to hide it well yet, Nicole easily picked up on the negative emotions hidden behind her smile.

On the other hand, Veronica felt something was wrong; her sister seemed different, almost like another person. Usually, whenever she smiled at Nicole, Nicole would smile back at her like an idiot but, ever since she woke up this morning Nicole hadn't smiled at her once.

It was like her sister was drawing a line between them.

'No, that can't be possible,' she tried to reassure herself, her sister was a hopeless idiot who couldn't do anything without relying on all those around her.

After having convinced herself, she smiled even brighter, "Sis, are you nervous? You've been frowning the whole way. You don't have to worry- even if you don't do well, mum and dad will make sure to help you."

Nicole turned to Veronica, her face still straight. She remembered this had happened last time too and she, ignorant as she was, smiled happily and nodded in agreement thinking how much her sister cared for her.

She didn't know her sister had dug a pit for her with that statement and she happily jumped into it!

In the car were her mother, and their new team.

If she said yes, not only would she lower her mother's expectations of her, making her think she couldn't take care of herself and always had to rely on others, her crew would probably think she was a spoiled brat who thought she was entitled to everything.

A lot of people hated rich kids who don't work and have everything handed to them.

This was how it all started, how her crew slowly became biased towards her sister. All the good jobs went to her and Nicole rarely received any help. Additionally, when her parents were not around, they would mistreat her, but she never reported them so, their bullying became even more rampant.

Finally, she was booted out of the industry in disgrace. But not this time.

Her sister wasn't the only one who could dig pits; she thought as she put on an innocent and lovable smile before replying, "I'm not nervous at all sis and, I don't want to rely on Mummy and Daddy. I want to climb up myself. Also, sis isn't nervous so why should I be."

"Yeah I know we can do it, Nicole, I'm sure the judges will love us" Veronica's eyes dimmed a little as she replied obviously disappointed Nicole didn't fall for the trap.

Nicole snorted in her head as she continued, "Yeah, after all, big brother already introduced you to the judges since you asked. The judges really like big brother, so I'm sure they will help you."

After Nicole said that, Veronica's face dropped and she bit her lip resentfully as she looked at Nicole. She probably wondered how Nicole would know about this but, she couldn't have guessed she told Nicole herself on Nicole's grave.

Now the tables had turned, and the faces in the car that had stared at Nicole previously were now directed at Veronica.

Even mum sighed disappointingly; she didn't want her children to rely on connections.

Veronica coughed lightly to hide her distress and murmured an 'OK' before turning back to look out the window as if to escape the judging eyes on her.

Nicole smiled, seeing Veronica in her position for once gave her great satisfaction but, her smile didn't give any of that away. It was a sunny and clueless one showing ignorance about the magnitude of what she had just revealed.

Everyone loved a pure and obedient child who doesn't scheme or cheat, and she was going to be just that. Nicole could see appreciation plain on their faces but, she pretended not to notice and just continued to smile brightly.

The car soon arrives at their destination.