The Sea Breeze Hasn't Reached Me, But I Don't Want to Go

“Lily, what are you staring at?”

My older brother, Ryan, called impatiently from the doorway.

He leaned against the doorframe with one hand.

“Chloe isn’t in good health. She can’t be exposed to too much wind on this beach trip.

“I couldn’t find the white windbreaker in your suitcase. Where did you put it?”

I stood there, staring at his matter-of-fact expression.

I’d saved up a month’s worth of living expenses to buy that jacket.

“It’s in the inner compartment,” I answered softly.

Ryan nodded and turned to leave.

Halfway down the hall, he stopped.

“We’ll be gone for a few days, so clean the whole house while we’re away.

“Especially Chloe’s room. She’s allergic to dust.”

He made no effort to hide his annoyance.

It was as if I weren’t his sister but the free maid of the house.

Mom, Rachel, walked out of the bedroom with Chloe’s sun hat in her hand.

“Your brother is right, Lily.

“Your college entrance exam scores were nothing special anyway. It’s not like you have anything else to do.

“Clean the house while we’re gone.”

She paused before adding, “Oh, and there’s some broth in the refrigerator. Make sure you heat it up for Chloe every day.

“Chloe can have it when she gets back. It’ll be good for her.”

I watched her perfectly painted lips move as she spoke.

I didn’t argue. I simply nodded.

“Okay.”

Dad, David, called from outside, urging everyone to hurry.

Callum was the last one to leave.

He was dressed in a white shirt, his tall figure straight and composed.

In the past, whenever I was hurt or upset, he had always been the first to stand up for me.

But now, he merely walked over and spoke softly.

“Lily, don’t get upset.

“You know Chloe hasn’t been sleeping because of the stress from her exams.

“This trip is mainly to help her relax.”

He reached out, seemingly about to ruffle my hair like he used to.

I tilted my head slightly and avoided his hand.

Callum’s hand froze in midair.

A flicker of displeasure crossed his eyes, but it quickly disappeared.

“If I get the chance, I’ll take you somewhere by yourself next time.

“You’ve always been such a sensible girl. Can’t you be understanding this once?”

Sensible.

That one word had bound me for eighteen years.

I looked him in the eye and answered calmly.

“Got it. Be careful on the road.”

Callum seemed slightly surprised by my response.

But he didn’t think much of it. He simply nodded.

“Stay home and behave until we get back.”

The door slammed shut.

The entryway instantly fell silent.

I stood there for a long time, until my legs began to go numb.

My phone lit up.

It was the airline’s final boarding reminder.

I unlocked my phone, opened my booking, and pressed Cancel Flight.

After the cancellation fee was deducted, barely any money was refunded.

But I didn’t care anymore.

I walked into the living room and looked at the itinerary scattered across the coffee table.

I’d stayed up several nights putting it together, researching countless travel guides.

I’d marked the seafood restaurant Callum loved most.

The scenic spots Mom wanted to visit for photos.

The deep-sea fishing area Dad had been looking forward to.

I’d even marked several spots where Chloe shouldn’t be exposed to the sea breeze because of her health.

I picked up the pages and tore them apart one by one before throwing them into the trash.

Then I turned and walked back to my room.

It was tiny, originally just a storage room.

After I’d been brought back to the city, it became my bedroom.

It didn’t even have a proper desk.

I dragged an old cardboard box out from under the bed and began packing my things.

A few faded clothes.

Several worn-out study guides.

And a handful of little keepsakes.

My phone vibrated.

It was a message from my homeroom teacher.

“Lily, your application for a full scholarship has been approved.

“The school you’re applying to needs a signed confirmation from your legal guardian.

“When can you come to school?”

I stared at the message, my fingers tightening slightly around my phone.

“Teacher, I’ll come tomorrow.”

After sending the reply, I tossed my phone onto the bed.

My eyes fell on a photo frame sitting in the corner of the desk.

It was a picture of Callum and me taken on his eighteenth birthday.

He was smiling brightly in the photo.

I was looking at him with nothing but admiration in my eyes.

I took the photo out of the frame.

Then I threw it into the trash with the torn-up travel plans.