Middle Child Syndrome - Chapter 10

Chapter 10: Ch 10: A normal experience
“Postpone your visit to Maxwell University for admission. I fear something important has come up, so I cannot accompany you today.”

Rika looked up from the breakfast in front of her and at her brother with a deadpan expression.

Her brother did not reciprocate Rika’s actions or look away from his food.

Instead, his body language gave Rika all the answers she needed to hear from him.

Ruka had woken up at an ungodly hour to leave for the university before anyone else was up. But Mark had spoilt her plan.

‘This spoilt brat! Does he think I can change the scheduled date for my admission interview whenever I want to? Maxwell Academy is not a high-end, expensive academy funded by our family! I cannot ask it to do that….’

Rika could reschedule the interview if she wanted to. All she had to do was stuff some pockets with money from her family and call in a few favours.

That was the last thing Rika wanted to do.

She had scheduled the interview for this dare because she knew her brother would be busy. Rika would have to reschedule it.

‘But let’s not tell my brother that. I should pretend I understand him and will do as he asks.’

Rika sighed before speaking up.

“Are you busy because of Suzie’s monthly check-up date? It slipped my mind that it was today.”

It had not slipped Rika’s mind. This was one day she knew not to schedule anything important, and it had dictated much of her early schedule.

Mark coughed in his hand to hide his disappointment and to control his expression.

“That is one reason. But there is another work-related reason that I cannot talk to you about. You need to cancel your schedule for the day. Why don’t you hang out with your friends today?”

Rika’s eyes widened slightly, and she was shocked when she heard these words.

Mark knew that Rika’s only friends were Emily and Damian, and he hated them. So, for him to suggest that Rika meet them was a bigger deal than expected.

‘Wow! I did not expect Mark to ever suggest this to me. Does he hate me going to my interview alone that much?’

Rika’s insides flipped as her emotions juggled around and refused to settle down. She looked up at Mark, only to see him impatiently tapping his finger on the table.

He was waiting for Rika’s answer.

“I will see what I can do about rescheduling my interview. As soon as I get confirmation, I will tell you about the new date and time.”

Rika would wait to reschedule her interview with such perfect conditions in place. When else would she get such freedom?

But at least Mark looked satisfied at her answer, which meant he would not come and annoy her for the time being.

Mark went to his room, and as soon as he ate, Rika picked up her phone to leave.

She did not need to bring anything else since all her papers could be printed later. Right now, Rika’s priority is to leave before anyone catches her.

“Miss, are you leaving now? Please head toward the back. As the Madam ordered, I have prepared a car to take you to your destination.”

Rika looked at their family butler. The old man had worked for their family for a long time and was the only beta Rika had regular contact with.

Unlike Rika, the butler came from a regular beta family but was extra sensitive to pheromones. That was why he had been hired as their butler. He was the perfect person to care for Suzie and her omega maid.

As another beta and the only person in this household who could understand Rika, he was someone Rika had looked up to and wanted to get to know.

He also looked uncomfortable whenever Rika talked to him about her condition or anything in general. He often looked at Rika as a specimen he did not understand what to do with.

While growing up, it was hard for Rika to understand why another beta would give her those looks. In the end, she never asked either. She just stopped asking the butler and tried to get close to him.

Even now, she could tell the butler felt uncomfortable talking to her.

“I see! Mother already knew this was going to happen, huh? I guess I better get going on the

Rika quickly left before the butler could say much more. She wanted to spare him the uncomfortable feeling he was having.

The driver looked pissed at having to come and pick Rika up so early in the morning, and she understood the feeling.

After all, the sun was not even out in the sky right now.

Rika got into the car without a word, and the driver entered with an annoyed look.

“Where do you want me to take you, miss?”

The driver asked in a haughty voice as he looked at Rika through the front mirror.

“To the train station. I will travel by the train for the remainder of my journey.”

Rika’s words made the driver happy. He suddenly realised that his day would not be as bad as he had hoped.

Even Rika had no intention of spending more time with someone who did not like her than necessary.

Since it was still early in the morning, there was no traffic, and they reached the station in record time.

Rika had already purchased the tickets, so it took her only a short time to catch the train.

This was her first experience riding a train, but it was easier than people made it out to be.

It was peaceful in the private train compartment Rika had booked, and she could finally catch her break.

Getting away from all the noise felt much better than Rika anticipated.

The train ride was smooth, and the station finally arrived.

Rika had changed from her high-end clothes to something more natural for an average person.

She had to do much research for ‘blending in,’ which seemed to work.

As she got closer and closer to the academy, Rika began to see more people, but the usual tension and agitation she was used to seeing was no longer present.

Most of the population on the campus were students who looked exhausted after a long day of work.

It looked troublesome but fun at the same time.

Many near the campus were where Rika could get her papers printed before entering the registration office.

She could see many people around her, and the academy was understaffed and accepting all these applications.

“Miss, can you hurry up and tell me your papers?”

The front-desk lady asked Rika, now waiting to be handed the papers Rika had in her hand.

Rika quickly gave it to the lady in front of her with a flushed face.

“I-I am sorry for getting distracted. Here these are my papers and IDs. Do you need anything else?”

Rika tried not to sound as nervous as she felt at that moment.

She feared the counter lady could tell who she was by looking at her ID. The counter lady’s weird look made Rika nervous when she looked at her papers.

“You have lovely grades and test scores. With these, you could have chosen a much better university than this public one, even with money issues. Why would you choose to come to this public mess?”

The lady asked with a concerned face, but it did not sound as if she wanted an answer from Rika.

Her question gave Rika a pause, and she realised that she had not considered an answer to this question.

Or rather, she had not thought that anyone would ask this once the invitations had been sent off.

“Sorry, I asked a rude question. You must have your reasons for wanting to apply to this academy instead of a better university. Your application is processed. Please go check out a dorm room before you have to shift.”

Rika blinked at the lady in front of her with a surprised face.

This was the first time anyone had backed away when they had asked Rika a question.

Since Alphas and omegas had their pride, they did not like it when others denied answers.

But it was a different case when it came to betas. They looked like a more easy-going and average bunch…. for the most part.

Rika walked away from the line with a dazed expression. Her feet took her to the dorm building, and the hand on Rika’s shoulder finally broke her out of her daze.

“Are you here to check out our dorms? You look like a wealthy kid, so I would advise you not to dorm here. It would be much better to choose a nearby PG or rental to live in. It will be even better if you can afford your apartment.”

The dorm lady advised Rika even before she said anything. The warning seemed genuine, but Rika could not see a reason not to live in this dorm.

It did not take her long to realise why the lady had warned her.