The narrator, Kelsey, recounts her difficult childhood with her neglectful and emotionally distant mother, a high-profile judge. Kelsey's attempts to get her mother's attention often led to trouble, and she was eventually sent to live with her friend Laura's family, who turned out to be even more toxic. Laura's mother was a strict disciplinarian who enforced a rigid routine and punished any disobedience, including locking the girls in a tiny study room. Kelsey and Laura formed a strong bond as they navigated their difficult living situation. When Kelsey tried to escape and seek help, she was met with skepticism and dismissal, including from her own mother, who didn't believe her stories about Laura's mother's abuse. However, with Laura's support, Kelsey eventually found a way to expose the truth, and Laura's mother was detained. Kelsey's mother apologized and took Kelsey and Laura in, but ultimately returned to her old ways, ignoring the girls. Despite this, Kelsey and Laura found comfort and support in each other, becoming like sisters, and eventually moved out and started a new life together when they turned 18.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The narrator's mother was a judge who dealt with high-profile cases and was often absent.
2. The narrator's mother was rich and lived in a large house with a Rolls-Royce.
3. The narrator was sent to a new school after getting into trouble at their previous school.
4. The narrator met a girl named Laura at their new school, and they were paired together in science class.
5. The narrator got into trouble again when they threw a stone at a drone that was bothering Laura.
6. The narrator's mother sent them to live with Laura's family after they got into trouble at school.
7. Laura's mother was strict and controlling, with rules such as lights out at 7:00 PM and silent study until school.
8. The narrator tried to escape from Laura's house but was caught by Laura's mother.
9. The narrator was sent to the study room as punishment, where Laura was also sent for getting a B+ on a test.
10. The narrator decided to escape and went to the police station, but was not believed.
11. The narrator went to the courthouse to find their mother and tell her about Laura's mother's abuse.
12. Laura's mother appeared at the courthouse and denied the narrator's allegations.
13. The narrator's mother did not believe them and instead apologized for not sending them to boarding school.
14. Laura stood up for the narrator and corroborated their story.
15. The court investigated and found evidence of Laura's mother's abuse, and she was detained.
16. The narrator and Laura were sent to live with a new family.
17. The narrator's mother apologized and offered to take them in, but the narrator decided to live with Laura instead.
18. When the narrator and Laura turned 18, they moved in together and started a new life.