Chapter 1 You're Free Now, Javion

When I couldn't find the words to respond to my mom's outburst, my childhood friend, Demi Walker, quickly stepped in to calm things down.

"Mrs. Fox, the surgery's coming up soon. Once Javion donates his kidney, he won't be able to play basketball anymore..."

My mom went still, as if the weight of my brother's sacrifice had just crashed back into her mind.

"We owe Javion so much," she murmured.

Javion Fox, my brother, stayed silent. He clutched his basketball to his chest and traced its surface with trembling fingers, unwilling to let it slip away.

My dad sighed deeply and put out his cigarette under his shoe. "Javion, how about I take you to Trinity? We can walk around the campus and check out the basketball courts. You've always wanted to go there, so you should see it for yourself."

Javion's eyes sparked with hope, only for the light to vanish. He stared at the basketball in his arms and shook his head. "What's the point? I have to save Louis. Once I give him my kidney, I'll never be able to play basketball again."

Nobody knew what to say after that.

I fiddled with my fingers, searching for courage. At last, I met my dad's eyes. "Dad, you should take Javion. I mean it. I don't have to go through with the surgery."

"What are you talking about now?" My mom snapped, pounding her chest with her fist. "After all we've given up to keep you alive, you think we can just quit? Why can't you be sensible for once?"

Her gaze landed on the abandoned birthday cake, and her anger flared again. She marched over and stomped it into the carpet, crumbs scattering beneath her heel.

"We've been fighting for years to pay your medical bills, and you're still thinking about cake!"

I wanted to remind her it was my birthday, that I hadn't tasted cake in five years, but the words caught in my throat.

"Your brother didn't even get to have cake today!" she added.

Then, as if she'd forgotten I was there, she turned to Javion and took his hand. Wiping the tears from her cheeks, she softened her voice. "Come on, Javion. Your surgery's coming up, and you need to keep your strength up. Let me take you out for a nice meal."

"That's right," my dad said, reaching for his car keys. "We've finally saved enough for the surgery. I'll use today's earnings to treat you to something special."

I hesitated, clutching the edge of my shirt as I trailed after them. Before I could reach the door, Demi blocked my path.

"Javion's giving up his dream of going to Trinity because of you," she said, her voice cold. "The least you can do is stay home and stop making everything about yourself."

I froze, my feet anchored to the floor by a sudden, unbearable weight.

All I could do was watch as my parents led Javion away, each holding one of his hands. Their voices rose in gentle encouragement until, at last, he smiled and laughed through his tears.

Demi hurried after them, waving her arms excitedly. "We should get Javion the biggest birthday cake they have!"

I stood there watching them go.

It had been ages since laughter filled our home. I struggled to recall the last time my family looked so genuinely happy.

I was the shadow that had stolen their joy.

Now, seeing their smiles, I realized how radiant they were when happiness returned.

I brushed away my tears and slipped back into my room. I dug through my drawer and found my ID.

Without a valid ID, the hospital couldn't complete my surgery paperwork.

I reached for the scissors and snipped my ID into tiny fragments. As the pieces fluttered onto my desk, a faint smile crept across my lips. 'You're free now, Javion. And I won't be a burden to anyone anymore.'