All Chapters of Out of Here With My Empty Suitcase: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

Gabriella's POV"Aren't you going to buy your supplies too, miss?" the cashier asked while holding a barcode scanner.Mom was busy handing the cashier the latest laptop model on the market that cost 4,000 dollars. She paused for a moment upon hearing the cashier's words before turning to look at me."Your things are still working, right?" she asked, frowning. "They're fine as long as you can use them during university. It's not as if you're joining a competition to see who has the best-looking supplies."My brother, Christopher Lowine, tossed a pair of noise-cancelling headphones on the counter. He didn't even bother lifting his head when he sneered, "Can you stop giving Mom attitude when we're outside, Gabriella Lowine? Those things would be wasted on you."I quietly stood in place and didn't make a retort. Instead, I looked past them at my childhood friend, Jasper Greeson. He kept his head down as he paid for the items, carefully cradling a desk lamp.Ten minutes ago, Jasper wa

Chapter 2

Gabriella's POVThe car slowed to a stop in front of the villa.Christopher and Jasper started moving all the newly bought items into the villa.Several shopping bags of different sizes filled the living room. "Try on these new shoes, Scarlett. See if they hurt your feet," Mom said as she pulled out a pair of limited edition sneakers, kneeling down to put them on for Scarlett.Scarlett walked around a few steps after she changed into them and happily spun around in a circle. "Thank you, Mom! They're a perfect fit!"I hoisted my own faded backpack over my shoulder and headed toward the stairs."Stop right there, Gabriella," Mom said.I halted my footsteps.She rose to her feet and pointed at the empty cardboard boxes on the floor and said, "Throw the trash out. Also, wash the clothes that Scarlett just changed out of. Don't forget to hand-wash them.""Okay," I said, calmly nodding before I bent over to pick up the cardboard boxes.Just then, Jasper came out from the kitchen

Chapter 3

Gabriella's POVThe Lowines threw a party to congratulate Scarlett on getting into university the next afternoon.The private room was packed with my relatives."Scarlett truly made something of herself, Harry. She was accepted into Julliena University," Uncle Frank exclaimed.He was all smiles as he raised his wine glass.Dad had a rosy glow on his face as he waved his hand, saying, "She had a weak constitution ever since she was a child. We're already more than satisfied that she managed to get into one of the top local universities.""Julliena's a perfectly good university," Aunt Dahlia chimed in, smiling. "It's close to home too. She can even visit you over the weekend and have dinner with you."She then turned to me and asked, "What about you, Gabby?"Silence descended upon the room in an instant.I didn't say a single word. Instead, I kept my head down and continued poking the mashed potatoes on my plate with my fork.Mom immediately joined the conversation, saying, "Ga

Chapter 4

Gabriella's POVThe villa was in utter chaos the day before the start of the semester. There were three huge bags spread out in the living room.Mom was holding a long roll of paper, checking the items on the list with Scarlett's items in the bags."Sunscreen, mosquito repellent, vitamins…" she mumbled. "Oh, that's right. We haven't packed Scarlett's skincare products yet.""Don't forget the desk lamp, Mom," Scarlett said, pointing at the coffee table as she sat on the couch and ate cherries."Definitely can't forget that," Mom said. "Jasper specifically bought it for you. I'll put it on top of everything else."Dad came out from the study, holding a stack of bills. "Put this in one of the inner compartments. Can't have Scarlett worrying about money when she's in university."I padded out of the kitchen while carrying a trash bag.Mom called out to me when I walked past the living room. She didn't even bother lifting her head when she barked out her orders. "Gabriella, buy tw

Chapter 5

Gabriella's POVThe plane touched down at Bellion Airport four hours later.The air in the north was much drier compared to the south. The sunlight stung my eyes, but it was dazzling.I stood outside the terminal and looked at the bus that had a banner with the words, "Bellion University Freshmen Pick-up Bus" attached to it. I let out a long exhale, feeling as if I had expelled the filth that had built up in my chest for the last twenty years.I sat next to a friendly, young woman from Dravibon on the bus."Are you a science major too?" she asked. "I'm Jessica Schneider.""Gabriella Lowine," I replied, smiling. "Department of Physics.""Wow! You must be a genius!" Jessica exclaimed, staring at me with wide eyes. "That's one of the top majors in the university!"I watched the unfamiliar scenery zoom past in a blur of colors beyond the window. I couldn't help the way the corners of my lips curled up into a smile.It turned out that, from other people's perspectives, my name and

Chapter 6

Third-Person POVJasper had no idea how he left the admissions office.The blazing sun was beating down on him, but he felt unbearably cold. He clutched the admission certificate that he had asked the director to print for him.His car sped along the road, running two different red lights before screeching to a stop in front of the Lowine residence.Gabriella's mother, Elise Webb, was sitting in the living room with a skincare mask on her face. Her father, Harry Lowine, was reading the newspaper."You're here, Jasper," Elise greeted when she heard the sounds of movement, not even bothering to open her eyes. "Did Scarlett already settle down in the dorm? Where the hell did that wretch, Gabriella, disappear off to? Have you found her yet?"Jasper didn't say a single word. Instead, he walked over to the coffee table and slammed the certificate onto the glass surface.A loud bang echoed around the living room.Harry looked up at him, frowning. "What's wrong? Why are you so mad?""

Chapter 7

Gabriella's POVThere were barely any clouds in the sky during autumn in Bellion.I had completely adapted to life in Bellion University one month after the semester started.I no longer had to do endless chores or deal with a pile of laundry that never seemed to shrink in size. There was also no one telling me to let Scarlett have her way.A physics major had a heavy workload, but I was able to handle everything without breaking a sweat. I would sit in the library for the entire day and only leave when I was hungry. I would head to the cafeteria and buy the cheapest meal to appease my growling stomach.My world became very simple, consisting only of formulas, experiments, and occasional calls from Grandma.The people who I left behind in Julliena felt like they were just part of a long nightmare that dissipated the moment I woke up.…One day before the long weekend, I walked out of the library while clutching a few thick, original-edition books to my chest.The maple trees a

Chapter 8

Gabriella's POVJasper stayed in Bellion for three days.He behaved like a stubborn stalker, camping outside my dormitory, my classrooms, and the library every day. He tried to give me breakfast, but I just threw the entire bag into the trash bin. He also tried to sit next to me during open classes, but I called the security guards to escort him out of the classroom.The composure and superiority that he was so proud of were crushed into a million pieces in the face of my extreme calmness.Jasper finally gave up on the fourth day and returned to Julliena with a defeated look.…Later, I heard that the Lowines were having a tough time.Life in the villa turned into a chaotic mess after I left. They no longer had a nanny to pick up after them or a punching bag for them to express their frustrations.Scarlett pretended to faint on the first day of orientation. Having gotten used to being waited on hand and foot, she assumed that someone would visit her in the infirmary to take car

Chapter 9

Gabriella's POVHalf an hour later, a team of doctors in white coats and several nurses wheeled a gurney into Grandma's ward."What are you doing?" Mom demanded as she leaped to her feet, looking bewildered."You must be Layla Webb's family. The patient is being transferred to Bellion for further treatment," the doctor explained."Transfer? Who gave you permission to do such a thing?" Dad demanded, storming angrily toward the doctor. "I'm her son-in-law! I didn't sign any papers!""I did," I said as I made my way to the front of the crowd, clutching a notice for Grandma's discharge from the hospital.I was soaked to the bone, my hair plastered against my cheeks, but I kept my back ramrod straight.A deathly silence descended upon the ward.Jasper whipped his head up and stared at me in disbelief."When did you get here, Gabby?" he asked, reflexively taking a step forward.I ignored him and walked over to the bed.Grandma's eyes reddened in an instant when she saw me."Why d

Chapter 10

Gabriella's POVFour years passed.Winter in Bellion was dry and cold. A thick layer of ice had frosted over the surface of Nameless Lake.I was wearing a long down coat when I stepped out of the building that the research labs were in, holding an acceptance letter for my doctorate program."Your thesis on quantum entanglement has already been published in a core journal, Gabriella," my advisor said while patting my shoulder. "Get ready to give a speech during the international seminar next week.""Okay. Thank you, Professor," I said with a smile, nodding at him.When I made my way to the university gates, I spotted Grandma waiting for me in a wheelchair.Grandma's condition had improved significantly in the last few years, with Bellion's professionals taking care of her. She had a rosy glow on her face.Jessica waved at me as she wheeled Grandma forward."Hurry up, Ms. Genius! Your grandmother said that she made burgers for dinner tonight!"I hurried over to them and grabbed

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