Chapter 4

At four in the morning, I opened my eyes before my alarm went off.

By the moonlight coming through the window, I shouldered my black canvas duffel and quietly opened my bedroom door.

The living room was pitch-black, except for the faint green light blinking on the router.

I moved as quietly as I could toward the front door and slipped on my faded sneakers.

With my hand on the doorknob, I looked back at the home where I'd spent the past eighteen years.

The takeout container from Dylan's late-night snack was still sitting on the coffee table. Tessa's new dress was tossed across the couch. Everything looked exactly the same as always.

I turned the knob, stepped outside, and closed the door behind me.

The streets were deserted at this hour, with only the occasional cab passing by.

I walked to the bus stop at the end of the block and caught the first bus to the train station. The bus was nearly empty.

I leaned against the window, watching the streetlights slip past one by one.

My phone buzzed.

It was a message Mom had sent to the family group chat at eleven last night.

[Lia, I'm visiting Grandma's family tomorrow morning. Get up early and make breakfast.]

I didn't reply. I simply turned off my phone and buried it at the bottom of my bag.

A group of young people carrying luggage had already gathered in the train station waiting area.

The program coordinator was checking names off a list. "Lia Conley?"

"Here."

"Go ahead and board. It's a long trip, so get some rest."

I nodded, showed my ticket, and boarded the train.

With a low rumble, the train slowly pulled away from the station. The city outside the window gradually blurred into the distance.

I closed my eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

...

At eight that morning, back at the Conley house, Mom came yawning out of the master bedroom and looked at the empty dining table.

"Lia? Lia!" She called twice.

No answer.

She marched to my bedroom and shoved open the door. "You little brat, it's already eight. Why haven't you made break—"

Her voice stopped abruptly.

The room was empty. My college acceptance letter sat alone in the center of the desk. The house key rested on top of it.

Mom froze. "Honey! Get in here!"

Dad came over in his robe, frowning. "What are you yelling about this early?"

"Look!" Mom pointed at the key on the desk.

Dad walked over and picked up the key and acceptance letter. "What's she playing at? Why would she leave her acceptance letter here?"

Dylan emerged from his room, rubbing his messy hair. "Is breakfast ready? I'm starving."

"Your sister's gone," Dad said grimly.

"She's probably at the restaurant. Didn't she say today was her first day?" Dylan didn't seem concerned in the slightest.

"Then why'd she leave her key?" Mom still felt that something was wrong.

"Maybe she forgot it. You know how scatterbrained she is." Dylan yawned and went to rummage through the refrigerator for something to eat.

Dad tossed the key back onto the table. "Leave her alone. She'll come home when she gets hungry. How far can a girl her age possibly go?"

That evening, Dylan rushed through the front door. "Dad, Mom, where's the folder with our financial records? The bank needs a few more documents before they'll approve my loan."

Mom wiped her hands on her apron. "Top drawer in our bedroom. Go get it."

Dylan hurried into the master bedroom and pulled out the folder. He flipped through the paperwork as he walked back toward the living room, looking for what he needed.

Then he stopped.

Mixed in with the tax records and other documents was a notice from the county clerk's office. It had my name on it.

Dylan stared at it.

"What is it? Why are you just standing there? You said the bank was waiting," Dad urged.

Dylan looked up, his face paling. "Dad... look at this."

He handed him the notice.

Dad took it with a puzzled frown.

It was confirmation of the address change I'd filed the day before. My permanent address was no longer the Conley house.