LEAVING

A WEEK LATER

I made up my mind-I need a vacation. I need to get the hell out of house and forget about all of this.

The heartbreak, the betrayal and continuous failed auditions.

After I was dressed and ready, I looked around my room, then stared down at my passport and luggage, packed on the bed.

This will be the first time I'll be leaving China.

That's where my family has lived since Mom remarried and had my twin sisters.

My stepfather, a Hollywood filmmaker, works in the United States.

I was eighteen when Mother joined the film industry and the two relocated to the U.S.

They visit occasionally, while I was left behind with the twins.

I turned to my childhood sketch of me.

I had glued the torn pieces together, and taped it back to the wall.

"I am sorry I was mean to you, Charlotte. You are beautiful, kind, hardworking and talented. I lost it and said cruel words to you. Forgive me".

I smiled sadly.

"Charlotte, do you see my gold bracelet? The one my boyfriend Tony gifted me?"

Chloe's voice yelled from the living room.

"You dropped it on the couch. And you're really old enough to stop relying on me every time, Chloe. You're twenty-two!"

I yelled back and sighed.

I took one last look around my room.

"I guess this is it," I said quietly, forcing a sad smile.

Just as I picked up my luggage and was about to leave, Chloe barged into my room-wearing nothing but pink lace panties and a matching bra.

Her body was the perfect hourglass shape you can imagine. The kind that turned heads. That kind of small waist that made other girls suck in their tummies.

Curves in all the right places.

She looked like she belonged on a Barbie magazine cover.

"Wait a minute, Charlotte-you're leaving? Is this because my boyfriend Jun dumped you to date me?"

I froze.

"Excuse me? Your boyfriend?"

I asked, turning slowly to face her, stunned.

She blinked, then shrugged like she was clueless about why I reacted that way.

"Well, yeah. I accepted his love proposal."

"What? Are you kidding me? Chloe, I thought you were dating Tony!"

"Well, now I'm dating Jun. Are you mad? I didn't know you'd be offended. Wow. Now I feel bad. Do you still love him? Maybe I should call him and tell him it's over. I just didn't think you were the insecure type. I thought you'd understand-he wants me, not you."

I was speechless.

Like... no words would come out.

My mouth opened slightly, but I had nothing.

I took a deep breath, forcing calm into my voice.

"First of all, Chloe, I'm not insecure or angry because my ex-boyfriend went for you."

Just then, her twin sister Zoey walked in, yawning and rubbing her eyes.

Her hair was wild, and she had on her pajamas with a cartoon doughnut printed across her heavy bosom.

"What are you two arguing about?" she mumbled, scratching her head. "It's early morning. Charlotte, can you just make breakfast already? I'm starving. Had my period last night. I need something made of chocolate."

I shook my head.

"Sorry, ma'am," I said, grabbing my passport and dragging my luggage behind me,

"I can't miss my flight. I gotta go."

Zoey's eyes widened as she blinked away the sleep.

"Wait a minute, where are you going?!"

"Outside China," I answered.

"To look for your dad who impregnated Mom and ran away?" Zoey asked.

I paused, pressed my lips together, and pushed the anger back.

Then I turned around and gave her a sarcastic smile.

"No... and thank you for the reminder."

"Hey, wait! Is Mom aware that you're leaving?"

Chloe asked, following me to the hallway with a slight frown on her face.

Zoey joined her.

"Noooo! But I sent Mom a text message!" I yelled back without stopping.

"Who's going to cook then?! We can't cook you know that!"

Zoey shouted dramatically.

I rolled my eyes and turned at the door, my hand already on the handle.

"Get a maid, sweetie!"

Zoey gasped.

"A maid?! Do you know how much they cost, Charlotte?!"

I played deaf and walked out of the house.

The cab driver stepped out and opened the car boot for me.

"Thanks,"

I murmured as I handed him my luggage.

Settling inside the car, I felt a tear slide down my cheek-

but I quickly wiped it away.