Chapter 3

Megan clicked her tongue in annoyance. "Next time, just tell me sooner if there's something you can't eat. Otherwise, it's just a waste."

As she spoke, she picked every piece of mango off the cake and pushed the rest back toward me.

"Joel asked Lena to make this cake to apologize to you. He knows you like orchids, so he specifically asked for an orchid design. He thought you'd like it," Megan said.

"He can be rude sometimes, but he's really kind-hearted. At least have a bite, or he'll get upset."

I felt my throat tighten. I dug my nails into my palm until I drew blood without noticing.

"But I'm allergic to mango," I repeated under my breath.

Megan sighed impatiently. "I already picked it off, didn't I? One bit won't hurt you."

Just then, Joel suddenly pushed the door open.

"Don't tell me Colin doesn't like the cake I had Lena make. You've been trying to cheer him up forever. He's way too hard to please."

Before I could speak, Megan chimed in first. "This is your gift to him. He has to like it."

"Good! Once you're done here, come downstairs. I didn't like the designs on the cakes Lena made earlier, so help me eat them," Joel said.

Megan laughed and playfully scolded him, "So I'm your garbage disposal now?"

"Of course not. You're my favorite sister," Joel replied.

Megan froze for a second.

"You only call me your sister when you want something. I swear, I spoil you too much."

She said that, but the happiness in her eyes was impossible to hide.

So it turns out, she just ran out of patience with me.

If it was Joel, nothing was ever a waste.

And just hearing him call her his sister made her that happy.

It seemed as if no matter what I did now, I only annoyed her.

-

The next day, I quietly moved out of Slade Residence and into the school dorm.

I squeezed in only a few hours of sleep each day. The rest of my time was spent either cramming for the SAT or working odd jobs.

Keeping myself that busy left me with no time to think about anything else.

Until today, when Megan called.

The moment I answered, she immediately demanded an explanation.

"Colin Carter! Why haven't you come home yet?" she shouted. "You used to be so well-behaved. Now you're actually staying out all night?"

I answered quietly, "I told you before. I'm living at school now."

"Who gave you permission? You think you're all grown up now? Is this your belated rebellious phase? Get back here right now!" Megan yelled.

I stayed silent.

After waiting a while and getting no response, she laughed in anger.

"Fine. Then don't ever come back! Let's see how long you can keep pretending you're so tough."

After that, I went on with my routine of classes, studying, and part-time work.

As the SAT drew closer, I felt like the end was finally in sight.

Then, three days before the SAT, Megan suddenly called me.

Her voice over the phone was hoarse and unusually tired. "Colin, I'm at the hospital now. You haven't been home in a long time. I want to see you."

I tightened my grip on my phone.

Ever since her attention had slowly shifted to Joel, this was the first time she had swallowed her pride and reached out to me.

I thought about the early acceptance letter I had just received and the savings I had built up over the past few months. I finally had enough to leave this place and make it on my own.

After a long hesitation, I finally replied, "Okay."

This might be the last time we would ever see each other. I didn't want to leave with regrets.

I wanted to tell Megan I had been accepted to a university in the north.

I would never be her burden again, and I wouldn't bother her anymore.

But I never saw this coming.

The moment I reached the hospital room and opened the door, I was greeted with a hard slap across the face.