Perhaps it would have been better to tell everyone all at once. A friend group meeting where she revealed the secret and scurried off like a frightened deer in the woods. They could have all processed their feelings about the matter together, and Alice wouldn't have been left feeling so terrible about a decision that was entirely out of her control. What was she to do? Deny her siblings their chance at school and a future? Allow her family's farm to fail and watch as her family sailed off? She didn't have a choice in the matter, and having to explain it time and time again was bloody exhausting.

"No, Sloane. It isn't only money, though I appreciate the offer - truly. My family needs help on the farm and OWLs are perfectly respectable. I can do a lot with them. It's already a finalized decision."

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