Chapter 2

The study abroad program was government-funded, but living expenses still came out of my own pocket. Asking my family for money wasn't an option.

I still remembered being eight years old and staring at a pair of limited-edition basketball sneakers in a store window. They were 300 dollars. I worked up the nerve to ask my parents, and they tore into me before I could even finish the sentence.

"Do you think your father's money grows on trees? How dare you even ask?

"You're already trying to keep up with the rich kids at your age. Imagine what you'll be like when you're older."

For a while, I believed them. I thought I really was being unreasonable. Then, I found out Corey owned an autographed jersey and a pair of limited-edition sneakers, either of which cost ten times what I'd asked for.

That was when I understood. It wasn't that they didn't have the money. They just didn't want to spend it on me.

I could already picture how it would go if I told them I needed money to study abroad. They'd refuse, lecture me, and make me feel small about even asking. Fortunately, I had a debit card.

It held every dollar I'd managed to save from my allowance by skimping on everything. A rough calculation told me it should be enough to cover my first semester.

I dug the card out, walked to the nearest ATM, and checked my balance. It was zero. Every last cent was gone.

That couldn't be right. Had someone stolen it?

I gripped the card and stumbled home in a daze. Cold sweat was running down my back. I was about to push open the front door when I heard Corey's voice inside.

"Dad, Mom, thank you for such an expensive watch! But you used Logan's money for it. Shouldn't we give it back?"

Mom couldn't have cared less. "Give what back? What does he need that kind of money for?"

Dad nodded along. "Exactly. Keep your own savings for yourself. You'll have plenty of expenses in college."

Sabrina scoffed. "Logan got into a garbage school. 800 dollars for a move-in is more than he deserves."

Piper was right there with them and didn't say a word. She just sat there, watching my family mock me, strip me down to nothing, and she stayed quiet through all of it.

I couldn't hold it in anymore. I shoved the door open and stormed inside. I grabbed the watch box right out of Corey's hands.

"Where's the receipt? Can it be returned?"

He looked startled. His eyes were welling up as he mumbled, "I'm sorry."

Sabrina lunged forward, snatched the box back, and shoved it into his arms. She looked down at me. "That's enough, Logan. Is bullying your little brother really all you're good for?"

Mom sighed, shaking her head like I'd let her down. "Your brother got into an incredible school. Think of the watch as a gift from you. Why do you have to make everything into a fight?"

There it was again. It was always the same. All Corey ever had to do was look even slightly hurt and everyone rushed to his defense.

"Taking someone's money without asking is stealing." My teeth were practically chattering with rage.

"If he wanted a gift, he could've asked me, and I would've bought it myself. You had no right to decide for me."

The slap came before I could finish. Dad's open palm struck my face.

"Your brother uses a little of your money, and suddenly it's theft? Are you even part of this family anymore?"

I pressed my hand against my burning cheek and clenched my jaw to keep the tears from falling. If I had a choice, I wouldn't be part of this family.

Piper caught Sabrina's eye with a look, and Sabrina reluctantly pulled my still-fuming father out of the room.

Piper walked over and reached up to touch my face. She let out a soft sigh. "If you like that watch, I'll buy you one. Just stop talking back to your parents."

Her fingers were gentle, and her eyes were so soft and tender. However, everything about her felt distant, like she was already somewhere I couldn't reach.

I took a deep breath, held her gaze, and asked, "Piper, do you really think it was okay for them to take my money and buy Corey a watch?"