"No! That would take years to pay back!" I exclaimed, trembling in fear and shock.
Jessie shrugged, smirking at me. "Maybe you should have thought of that before being clumsy."
"Please, Luna. Don't do this," I cried.
"Enough!" She snapped. "I don't want to hear another word. It is settled. You'll work to pay off the cost of the sculpture."
I knew I didn't dare to argue further. I bowed stiffly. "Yes, Luna," I said. The truth was that a part of me was actually secretly relieved. This new development meant that I didn't have to decide between leaving or staying immediately.
It felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. But that didn't stop the feeling of dread as I realized that I was once again bound to this family in debt. I worked so hard to free myself from the clutches of debt yet here I was, back in the same sinkhole.
Just then, the door opened with a bang and the guests for the birthday party began to file in.
