Chapter 2

Layered on top of the letter was a copy of an acceptance letter to Briarwood University.

It so happened that the move-in day for both Briarwood University and Westbridge University was on the same day.

I crumpled the photocopy sheet and tossed it into the wastebasket.

The next day was the weekend.

The Tuttles were throwing a party to celebrate the college admissions.

Family and friends flooded our living room first thing in the morning to offer their best wishes.

“Mikayla did amazingly well to get into Briarwood University. She’s heading off to a top school.”

“You’re a lucky man, Ian. Your daughter has the looks and the brains.”

Flattery and compliments came from every corner of the room.

Grinning from ear to ear, Tracey took Mikayla’s hand while mingling with the crowd.

Mikayla looked like royalty in her expensive, white designer dress.

Aunt Gloria was snacking on nuts when she snapped her head toward me as I sat in the corner

“How did you do with your exam? I hadn’t heard much about your grades.”

Silence hung heavily in the air.

The smile on Tracey’s face went stiff. Before long, she flicked her hand without a care.

“Kaycee got into Briarwood University as well.

“Her grades are mediocre at best, so she honestly got lucky to be admitted into BU.

“Well, at least both girls will be on the same campus. Kaycee can help out Mikayla there.”

Gloria nodded.

“That’s true. Kaycee has always been a sensible, well-behaved girl. She’s the perfect older sister.”

I sat on the single-seater, quietly sipping on my drink with my head down.

Not a word left my lips.

When I took my final exam, I no longer kept my score down.

I finished my final exam thirty minutes ahead of time. For every question, I gave the answer I knew was the best possible one.

On the day the score was released, the whole family crowded around the computer to check Mikayla’s results.

When her score was just enough to get her into Briarwood University, they broke out into cheers and even popped a bottle of champagne to celebrate.

No one asked about my score.

Not to rain on their parade, I made a copy of Mikayla’s admission letter and left it on the table.

The family didn’t even take a proper look, taking it for granted that my score was within the range of Mikayla’s.

Halfway through the party, Ben stepped into the room with two beautifully wrapped gift boxes.

“There you are, Ben. Take a seat,” Tracey greeted him enthusiastically.

Ben approached Mikayla and presented her with one of the boxes—a velvet box branded with a luxury logo.

“Congratulations on getting into college, Mikayla.”

Mikayla unwrapped the gift in joy.

It was a custom-made pearl bracelet.

Each pearl was round and plump, glistening under the light.

“Wow! It’s beautiful! Thank you, Ben!”

Feeling giddy, Mikayla put on the bracelet and did a little spin for the guests.

Cory let out a whistle.

“Ben, this must have cost you a pretty penny.”

Ben grinned.

“All that matters is that Mikayla loves it.”

Turning around, Ben walked toward me.

He held a smaller carton and passed it to me.

“This one’s for you, Kaycee.”

I set my drink down and took the box.

The packaging was very basic, without even a seal sticker.

I peeked inside and found a generic blind-box plushie.

It was from an old series that had been popular two years back.

“I spotted this blind box while passing a shop. Weren’t you into this kind of thing?”

Ben’s tone was offhand.

I stared at the plushie.

He remembered it wrong.

Mikayla was the one with a thing for blind boxes.

Two years ago, Mikayla bought an entire case of blind boxes, desperate to get the hidden edition. She dumped the plushies all over the floor once she was done.

I was simply there to pick up after her.

Ben took it that I loved the plushies.

“Thank you.”

My voice was flat as I put the box down on the table.

Ben had an issue with my indifference.

He furrowed his brows.

“Kaycee, is this because you got a cheaper gift than Mikayla?

“You have always been understanding. Don’t be so petty.”

I looked up at his self-righteous face.

“I’m not.

“I’m fine with whatever you get me.”

Ben was taken aback.

My response threw him off.

In the past, I would tear up in silence and cower in a corner whenever he showed even the slightest favoritism.

The party was over, and the guests took off.

I stayed back, tasked with cleaning up the mess.

Ben helped Mikayla move the expensive gifts to her bedroom.

I carried the stack of greasy plates into the kitchen.

While brushing past the trash can, I stopped.

I dumped the unopened blind box.

“Plop.”

The blind box sank into the slop of discarded dinner.

Not looking back, I made a beeline out of the kitchen.