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Chapter 5
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The Day I Left Home Chapter 8
After wrapping up a project cycle, Allen pulled me aside."Your parents are here. They're at the campus gate."My report slid from my hands.I couldn't believe it. The trip was complicated. My mother had back problems—she'd never been willing to make a long flight.For Chloe, she'd flown to New York overnight for a concert. For me, she'd once refused to drive thirty minutes to a school event.I walked to the gate.A car was parked there. Two familiar figures got out, leaning on each other.My mother, wearing sunglasses, scowled. "What kind of place is this? How can anyone live here?"Allen stepped forward with a warm smile. "Ma'am, the conditions aren't great, but we take good care of Kate."She forced a smile.My father stood three steps away, looking at me with a complex gaze."Kate. Are you okay?"I spread my arms and turned in a circle. "See for yourself. I'm doing great."My mother stepped closer, scanning my face as if looking for cracks. When she saw I was actually healthy, her
The Day I Left Home Chapter 7
I hung up. A message from Chloe appeared."You're really in California?""Yeah.""Are you working for some secret government thing? Like, can you never come back?""No. But I won't be back often.""Good. I hope you disappear for good. Then no one will compete with me for Mom and Dad."My fingers hovered. Then I typed:"They're all yours. No competition."The telescope calibration hit its final sprint.I lived in the lab, barely eating, barely sleeping.Then the night before the first official observation—I collapsed.I woke up to Allen sitting beside me, amused."Seriously? You work yourself into a low-sugar blackout?"I rubbed my nose, embarrassed."Don't worry. You're fine. Tonight's the big show."I nodded.That night, we stood in the control room."Three... two... one—receiving!"Deep-space signals streamed in. The spectrum flickered across the screen.The room exploded with cheers.I high-fived Allen, grinning.A campus photographer captured the moment.Someone recognized me and f
The Day I Left Home Chapter 6
I was placed in an astrophysics research group.The work was grueling but fulfilling.One night, Allen and I were on night shift at the observatory. He handed me a convenience store onigiri.I took it and scrolled through my phone.The family group chat lit up. Chloe posted a photo—Mom and Dad kissing her cheeks on both sides, backdrop of a volcano park in Hawaii.I chewed slowly, scrolling down.Mom: The guide took great shots. Perfect family photo.Dad sent a silly sticker of Chloe's face.Chloe replied with the same one.I watched them trade stickers back and forth.Then I remembered the family portrait hanging in the living room.That day, I'd been late—stuck at a summer lab project. By the time I got there, they'd already finished shooting.The photographer offered to retake it.My mother waved him off. "Too much trouble. Just Photoshop her in later."The final print had only three faces.When I asked about it, my father muttered: "The editor said it didn't look right."And those
The Day I Left Home Chapter 5
I landed in San Francisco and took an Uber to Stanford.My phone buzzed—my advisor: Your enrollment's sorted. Come straight to the lab.Then a transfer notification: five thousand dollars.Research stipend advance. Get settled. I know about your family situation—you're safe here. Just focus on your studies.My eyes stung.I accepted the transfer and replied: Thank you, Professor.Before I even reached campus, my phone buzzed again.My father: Did you get there? Hotel? Do you have enough money?A three-hundred-dollar transfer followed.I didn't accept it. I didn't reply.Five minutes later, my mother sent a voice message. I knew she'd only scold me, but I clicked it anyway."Your father's been texting you and you're ignoring him? Your sister said you pushed her—how could you be so awful?"The volume was too high. The Uber driver glanced back.I apologized, turned it down, and scrolled up.Chloe's message—a picture of the Ragdoll cat: Mom, look! Mochi's using the litter box!My mother's
The Day I Left Home Chapter 4
That afternoon, I arrived at school early.My parents never showed.I called, frantic. "Mom, Dad, my interview—are you almost here?"My father answered. "Kate, we can't make it right now. We're picking out a kitten for Chloe. She's been wanting one forever.""But—""Dad! Stop talking! Look at this Ragdoll—isn't she adorable?"The line went dead.I stood at the school gate, phone in hand, chest hollow.I went to the interview alone and told the investigator the truth.She paused, then pulled out a letter—from my Stanford advisor."Your advisor explained everything in advance and vouched for you personally. We'll continue with the review. Don't worry."I stared at that thin sheet of paper. Tears slid down my face.I came home feeling lighter.Then I opened the door.Everything stopped.My suitcase was upside down. Clothes scattered everywhere. My Stanford acceptance letter—Chloe had it under her shoe, grinding it into the floor.She was directing workers to clear out my room."Take your
The Day I Left Home Chapter 3
That night, my father came to my room after learning what happened.He handed me a velvet box."Kate, Chloe was out of line today. Don't hold it against her. Your sister had a rough childhood." He paused. "This is my apology."I opened the box. A silver necklace lay inside. I felt a strange pang—this might be the first gift they'd ever given me.I took it. "Thank you, Dad. And don't forget tomorrow's review—"Before I could finish, Chloe's voice rang up the stairs: "Dad! Come see my new bag!"He headed downstairs without looking back.I stood in the doorway, staring at the necklace. Then I glanced at my phone—Chloe's latest Instagram post. The same necklace was one of many gifts she'd shown off.My suitcase was nearly packed. Three shirts, two pairs of pants, one hoodie, a jacket. And the model fragments. That was everything I had.The next morning, I went upstairs after breakfast.Chloe was standing in my room, holding the necklace.She looked up and shrieked: "You stole from me!"My
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