Irreplaceable Canary

I, Allison Barrett, was a well-protected and pampered girl, like a canary. Both Gerard Robertson and Sebastian Robertson, the two influential figures in the school, had a fondness for me and were vying for my attention.

Others were both envious and jealous of me, claiming that I was enjoying an illustrious life and had managed to attach myself to a favorable background.

They didn't know that the canary in the cage only longed for freedom.

For years, these two have imprisoned me in the name of love, my world reduced to iron bars, shackles, and bruises.

When I opened my eyes again, I found myself back to a time when they didn't know me yet. Great! Anyone who wanted this life could take it.

1.

The dark waves crashed against the rocks, each impact so powerful it seemed capable of shattering the stones.

An unbelievable thought emerged in my mind all of a sudden.

How wonderful it would be if these waves could wash away the two men standing before me.

"Allison, won't you think of your mother?"

As of now, Gerard still chose to threaten me by taking my mother as leverage.

The sea wind tousled my hair chaotically. I was crying and laughing simultaneously, presenting an appearance as if I were a lunatic. "My mother has been dead for a long time. How much longer do you expect to threaten me by taking advantage of her?"

I had been confined in this place for a decade. My mother died searching for me long ago.

"Could death be more dreadful than this life?"

I no longer wanted to see them. Without hesitation, I leapt, and the massive waves swallowed me whole.

Yet, I felt no pain at all, closed my eyes and let myself be released.

2.

"Allison, Allison."

In a daze, I seemed to hear my mother's voice. I must be dying.

Gentle hands brushed my forehead, accompanied by urgent calls. I struggled to open my eyes.

My consciousness was not fully awake, but when I saw the familiar face, my body took action on its own. I couldn't help but embrace her and weep.

Whether it is a dream or an illusion. Allow me to embrace her once more.

However, the tactile sensation of the embrace was so authentic that it seemed impossible to be false, making me reluctant to let go.

"What's wrong, sweetheart? Are you feeling unwell?"

My mother wiped away my tears, looking at me with concern.

I didn't care if it was reality or a dream; I wished to stay here forever.

It took me half a month to accept the fact that I had been reborn and I had returned to my former life once again.

Now, there was no Sebastian, no Gerard, and most importantly, my mother and brother were still alive...

In this lifetime, I supposed I could lead a tranquil and blissful life if I merely refrained from having any intersection with them.

In the previous life, both I and Sebastian were chosen as outstanding freshmen to deliver speeches on the stage, and since then we had had an intersection.

This time, I planned to feign illness and refuse to go on stage.

3.

The boy on the stage, wearing a plain white shirt, managed to win the hearts of many girls with his outstanding appearance and cool and unearthly aura.

In the previous life, I was one of them.

But now, I looked at him coldly, feeling nothing but disgust.

Later, when signing up for the club, I carefully checked the member list and was relieved not to find his name.

With a changed mindset in this life, I no longer held grudges and even became friends with roommates I had clashed with before.