Chapter 5

"Lenora, what's wrong?" Noah asked.

"Leave me alone," I said, wiping my tears and walking faster.

He followed. "Are you crying?"

I stopped and turned. "Stay away from me!"

"What?"

"We're not from the same world. Don't bother me anymore."

I pushed past him and ran to the dumpster downstairs.

The gold medal in my backpack dug into my back. I pulled it out, holding it up to the streetlight.

My name was engraved on it.

I raised it over the dumpster, but my hand froze.

I couldn't do it.

I clutched the medal that was still shining, but it didn't blind me anymore.

What blinded me was my stupidity in believing their lies. I thought effort would matter. I thought I could earn their approval.

My phone buzzed with a text from Noah.

[Lenora, we're friends forever.]

I deleted his number, knowing I didn't deserve his warmth and kindness.

I was just David's substitute, Neville's foil, and the Gordon family's shame.

...

The cancer pain gnawed like ants burrowing through my bones.

I needed painkillers but had no money.

Every cent at home was in my parents' hands. Even my high school savings were held for "safekeeping".

Their excuse? "Girls shouldn't spend recklessly."

I stared at the 52 cents in my bag, earned from collecting bottles that day.

At dinner, I steeled myself. "Dad, I need money for tutoring fees."

Otis didn't look up. "How much?"

"$100," I lied. Three months of painkillers cost just over $50.

His fork froze. "$100?"

He finally looked at me, but his eyes were cold. "You think money grows on trees?"

Neville snorted. "Lenora, are you nuts? You know how tight things are."

My grip tightened on the knife. "I just thought..."

"Thought what?" Otis slammed his fist down on the table. "You wanna drag Neville down? Ruin this family?"

That night, the pain kept me awake.

My parents' snores came through the wall. They slept soundly.

I knew where they kept the money.

The bottom drawer of their nightstand had a small metal box with the family's cash.

Two bills were all I needed.

The pain was unbearable. I needed those pills.

A shout shattered the quiet night. "Thief!"

I nearly fell, spinning to see Neville in the doorway, grinning triumphantly.

"What are you doing, Lenora?" he said loudly.

Noises came from the bed as our parents stirred.

"What's going on?" Colette murmured sleepily.

"I caught Lenora stealing money!" Neville pointed at me, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "You're sneaking cash to get an abortion, aren't you?"

His words exploded like a bomb.

Otis glared at me, like I was filth.

"No, I didn't." I shook my head frantically.

"Still lying?" Neville taunted. "Caught red-handed!"

"What are you stealing money for?" Otis loomed, his shadow terrifying in the dark. "Speak!"

He grabbed a baseball bat from the corner.