The College Packet Trap

I took a deep breath and shoved down the hate burning inside me.

I crumpled the envelope with my college papers in my fist.

I started downstairs, planning to leave everything with my friend Emily Stone, who lived in the same apartment complex.

Then I stopped.

No way.

Mom knew where Emily lived.

And if she came looking, Emily wouldn't be able to keep her out.

I wasn't risking it.

I turned around and left the apartment complex.

I was going to find my biological dad.

We hadn't spoken in years.

On the bus, my nerves kicked in.

Mom's voice kept playing in my head.

"Your dad remarried years ago!"

"He has a whole new family. You're just baggage to him!"

"Stop bothering him. He doesn't even want to see you!"

She'd fed me that crap my whole childhood.

And every word had stuck.

But this was my future.

I had to find him.

I went to an address I'd secretly memorized years ago and found his place.

Then I knocked.

The door opened.

Dad froze.

He looked so much older.

Most of his hair was gray now, and his back had started to hunch.

"Maya?"

His voice shook. His eyes filled with tears.

He rushed me inside, so flustered he knocked over a glass of water.

I sat on the worn couch and watched him fidget.

My chest tightened.

I hesitated. "Dad... where's your wife?"

He stared at me.

"What wife?"

"The woman you married."

His eyes went wide. "I never remarried!

"I haven't even had a girlfriend. What wife?"

I froze.

We started comparing everything we'd been told over the years.

And the truth hit hard.

Mom—no, Brenda Dooley—had lied to both of us.

She told me Dad had remarried and didn't want me.

Then she told Dad I hated him and wanted nothing to do with him.

"I sent money for you every month." Dad's eyes were red, his voice cracking. "I even saved for your college tuition. I gave all of it to your mom.

"She said you didn't want to see me. That you only wanted my money..."

I clenched my jaw as tears hit the back of my hand.

Brenda had taken every cent Dad sent me—and blown it on Kelsey.

I wiped my face and handed him the envelope. "Dad, these are my enrollment papers and acceptance letter.

"Please keep them safe. Don't give them to anyone but me."

Dad nodded like I'd just handed him something priceless.

I'd barely made it downstairs when my phone rang.

Kelsey.