A New Skyline, A New Me

So this was it. The city I'd fought so hard to reach, and they'd already taken someone else there in my place.

My phone buzzed. Mom had finally remembered I existed.

Mom: [Don't post about your acceptance in the group chat.]

Mom: [Amber's finally in a good mood. Don't you dare steal her spotlight.]

Grayson Whitfield chimed in right after.

Grayson: [Be good. You already scored higher than her. Don't fight her for attention on top of that.]

The Bedford magnet on the fridge chose that moment to fall. It hit the floor and split cleanly in two.

I crouched down and picked up the pieces.

I didn't cry. I just realized, all of a sudden, how far away Bedford felt.

Too far. I didn't want to go anymore.

…

"Claire, you didn't change the code on that pink suitcase, did you?"

My brother Derek Radley's voice came through the phone, an airport announcement echoing somewhere behind him.

I was crouched by a trash can, turning the broken halves of the Bedford magnet over in my hand.

"Zero-five-two-one."

That was my sister Amber Radley's birthday. It was mine too. But in this family, every password only ever stood for her.

I heard the suitcase latch pop open on the other end of the line, followed by Amber's whiny complaint.

"Derek, my sunscreen leaked all over everything."

"It's fine," Derek said, his voice gentle. "I'll have Grayson take you to buy more at the counter later."

The phone changed hands. Grayson's low voice came through instead.

"Claire, why won't you pick up my video calls?

"Amber's starting the Foundation Program here in Bedford. The dorms don't have air conditioning.

"Transfer me that ten-thousand-dollar scholarship of yours. I'll rent her a place with underfloor heating."

I walked over to the sink and turned on the tap. Cold water ran over my fingertips.

"I already used the money for my tuition."

There was a beat of silence on the other end, then Grayson's voice dropped.

"Claire, if you're going to lie, at least come up with something better.

"Bedford University just sent out its acceptance letters. What tuition are you even talking about? That scholarship money is sitting right there, and you know it."

He always did this — so certain he understood everything about me.

"Amber isn't well. You're at the main campus. Your dorm's fine. Can't you cut her some slack for once?"

I pulled a tissue free and slowly dried the water from my hands.

"I already spent it."

"Spent it on what?"

"Things."

"Claire!" His patience was gone. "How did you get so selfish? Amber's been crying every day since her exam scores came back. And you're her sister — instead of caring, you're sitting here nitpicking over money?"

I looked at my reflection in the mirror. My eyes weren't red. My face was perfectly calm.

"You took her on a trip to Bedford and didn't even tell me."

I said it quietly. Grayson heard it anyway, and let out a sigh.

"We didn't tell you because we didn't want you overthinking it.

"You got into Bedford University. You're the whole family's pride and joy.

"Amber feels inferior. We just wanted some time alone with her, to help her build a little confidence.

"You're strong. It's not like you can't handle a few days home alone."

I listened to all of it without a word.

So this was how they saw it. Doing well was my original sin. Because I was strong, I didn't need company, didn't need celebrating. I didn't even deserve the scholarship I'd earned with my own hands.

"I understand."

I said it softly. Grayson took it as a surrender, and his tone warmed right back up.

"Good girl. Be reasonable. Go ahead and transfer the money to your mom so she doesn't have to worry about it. I've got to go — Amber wants roast duck."

The call cut off. The dial tone echoed through the empty living room.

I didn't send the money. Instead, I turned and walked back to my room, opened my laptop, and logged into the university application portal.

Bedford University took early admissions. But before final placement was locked in, there was still one option left: a campus transfer.

I clicked through to the page. My cursor hovered between "Main Bedford Campus" and "Meridian Campus."

Meridian was a newly built satellite campus, more than a thousand miles from home. None of the glamour of Bedford.

And no Grayson.

I gripped the mouse and, without a second's hesitation, checked the box for the Meridian campus.

Click. Changes confirmed.

I closed the laptop, turned around, and pulled my suitcase out of the closet. I started packing my clothes away, piece by piece.

The heavy down jackets I'd bought specifically for Bedford's winters went straight back into the bottom of the closet.

Meridian was warm. I wouldn't need those anymore.

My phone buzzed once on the bed. A new message in the family group chat.

Mom had sent a photo of Amber, wearing the new necklace Grayson had bought her, grinning from ear to ear.

Caption: [Amber's in such a good mood today.]

I didn't reply. I just muted the chat.