2

SIERRA

 

At midnight, Professor Nolan sent the enlistment arrangement. My eyes scanned the list.

There was a bus leaving by 7pm. All I had to do was confirm if I would be on it.

 

My finger hovered over the bus option. Was I really sure I could do this?

 

The military unit was stationed at the base of Whitefang mountains, a good two hundred kilometers from the actual school.

 

My family would never know where I actually was.

 

Maybe I needed time to think it through but if I did, my self doubt would creep in.

 

I clicked the 7pm bus option then dragged out a bag and began to pack.

 

My healing books, notes and tonics went into the bag, dusty weapons I hadn't touched in years went next and my documents went last.

 

Bringing clothes and food were prohibited. The instruction was to pack light.

 

I tried not to think of what I was getting into. I wasn't sure my parents knew what they'd sentenced me to.

 

Maybe they knew but they didn't care.

 

Either way, it was time I stopped caring too. I also started returning everything that had become my responsibility over the years.

 

The household accounts I'd been managing were transferred back to my father, Taylor's old junk was dumped in front of his room. The grocery lists and inventory for the pantry went into the trash.

 

I was done doing little things nobody had ever thanked me for.

 

The family calendar I'd maintained for years was the last to go.

Today's date had a little highlight on it: Celebration dinner night, it read.

While Amy would be getting a celebration, I'd be on a bus headed to an unknown future.

 

I deleted everything.

 

As I zipped my bag shut, the door handle twisted open and Taylor stepped into my room uninvited.

 

His eyes landed on my packed bag then surveyed the empty room before landing on me.

 

“You've always been good at throwing tantrums," he mused, shaking his head.

 

“You've always been good at barging in without knocking," I shot back irritatedly.

 

He waved a hand dismissively, annoying me even further.

 

“I see you've packed and even had time to return my old stuff but what about Amy's bags?”

 

I raised a brow at him, "Excuse me?”

 

"You heard me. She’s leaving for SilverCrest soon and she has no idea what to pack.”

 

The more he mentioned SilverCrest, the more the ache in my heart sharpened into an unbearable pain.

 

My fists trembled with suppressed anger.

 

“She can pack her bags herself,” I sneered, crossing my arms.

Taylor's blue eyes narrowed, “You’re really going to be like this because she got accepted?"

 

"She wasn't accepted. I was,” I coldly reminded him.

 

His expression hardened.

"Don't start this again."

 

I turned back to my bag, signalling the conversation was over and heard him sigh.

 

"Amy's celebration dinner is tonight. You could at least help her choose a dress."

 

"I won't be here for it."

 

He paused in surprise before annoyance seeped into his voice,

"Where else would you be?"

 

I glanced at him, “On a bus, leaving."

 

He stared at me for a moment before scoffing, "You're always so unreasonable,” he mumbled, slamming the door shut behind him.

 

Not once did he ask where or when I was leaving. He didn't even care enough to believe me.

 

My lashes trembled for a second before I swallowed down the pain.

 

The rest of my things went into boxes, to be given out to charity. I'd already made the arrangements before the disaster yesterday.

 

Something told me I wouldn't return to this house and strangely, the thought brought more comfort than pain.

 

As the truck taking the charity boxes zoomed off, I silently returned to the house and came face to face with my mother unzipping my bag.

 

Amy stood to the side, her face pinched.

 

“What are you doing?" My voice raised in panic, startling them.

 

My mother turned to me with a worried look, "Dear, did you give away your notes? Amy just told me you gave away all your stuff.”

 

I threw a hostile glare at Amy before snatching my bag from my mother's grip.

 

"I only gave away the things I don't need," I reassured then frowned suspiciously, “Why are you so concerned?”

 

She hesitated before clearing her throat.

 

"Actually, Amy wanted them."

 

“Wanted what?" I asked, just to be sure we were on the same page.

 

"Your notes."

 

I stared at both of them, surprised at the audacity to ask for a favour after everything.

 

"Amy needs them, dear. You have no use for them."

 

Her unusual use of endearment only infuriated me further.

 

"Says who?” I snapped.

 

“What could you possibly need them for? You're going to a combat academy." She said it casually, like she wasn't part of the reason I was going there in the first place.

 

I shook my head defiantly.

 

"I'm not giving them to her. My future work will require them."

 

My mother sighed, "Amy has a weaker academic foundation. Those notes would help her."

 

"What about me? I’m the one who spent years making them," I reminded.

 

"She's your sister, Sierra.”

 

I nearly laughed.

 

"So?"

 

My mother's grey eyes hardened into cold marbles.

"You live under this roof. We feed you and take care of you. I expect you to be more respectful and less selfish to your family."

 

"Then I suppose I've paid my debt to all of you," I shrugged. Her emotional manipulation would not work on me. Not any more.

 

"What does that mean?" Amy asked, frowning.

 

"It means I'm taking my notes.” I deadpanned.

 

An embarrassed flush stained her pale cheeks as she nodded, tucking a strand of dark hair behind her ear.

 

"I never meant to upset you, Sierra. It's not your fault I'm so sickly and I'm really sorry."

 

"Are you?" I raised a brow, daring her to lie again.

 

Her lips parted as she loudly stuttered, "I.. I know you're pained and angry about SilverCrest but I never asked them to switch your placement."

 

"You accepted it, didn't you?" I pointed out.

 

Before she could respond, my father cut in, appearing out of nowhere.

"Amy, don't waste your breath. She'll get over it soon."

 

There it was again. That assumption that I would always forgive.

 

My mother launched into an angry speech on how I'd refused to join the preparations or help Amy pack.

 

The more my father listened, the more his expression frosted over.

 

“Did you know she gave her stuff away? What will the neighbors think?” my mother exclaimed.

 

"If you're not going to help out, then don't. Projecting your frustrations on your sister is unacceptable,” father chided.

 

I stared at him. My frustrations?

 

"In fact, apologize to your sister.”

 

The words fell like a death sentence.

 

"What?”

 

"This is her first celebration dinner since she returned and you're ruining it!" He snapped, eyes blazing with fury.

 

"How can I ruin something I won't even attend?” My voice cracked, “I'm leaving today."

 

Father paused. A heavy silence passed.

For half a second, I thought someone had finally heard me.

 

"We'll discuss this later,” he dismissed.

 

“Set the table for lunch, Sierra," my mother ordered, then turned to Amy as if I wasn't there.

 

“About the guest list, I was thinking we should invite the Registrar of SilverCrest and some academic representatives," Amy suggested.

 

Just like Taylor, no one asked me when I was leaving. They'd assumed that even if I left, I would always come back.

 

But this time, they were dead wrong.