Lahat ng Kabanata ng No Seat at Home: Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 10

When I got back, everyone was gathered around the table, clinking glasses of juice.Mom glanced at me and said lightly, "I see that you got accepted into college too. Which one?"I told them the name, but no one at the table reacted.Tania leaned over and asked curiously, "Where is that? I've never heard of it."Derrick had been Tania's boyfriend since high school. Our families had been close for generations. So, he ate at our house more often than at his own. Hence, he had never bothered to watch what he said around us.He scoffed and said derisively, "It probably is some third-rate college. With Riley's grades, she should be glad any college accepted her." As he spoke, he handed the first slice of cake to Tania before looking back at me and continuing, "Riley, is your school expensive? If it is, you should tell your parents. Tania's training already costs a lot. You shouldn't put too much pressure on the family."Dad set down his utensils and interjected wearily, "That's enou

August in Beckham City was hot and somewhat suffocating, the air thick with humidity.The academy dispatched a fleet of plain white shuttle buses to collect the incoming students, the school's acronym glowing in amber on the digital displays above the windshields.As I boarded, the upperclassman in charge glanced at my acceptance letter."Riley Henderson. Science track. 12th in the city." When he looked at me again, his attitude became noticeably more respectful. "Welcome aboard," he said with admiration.The bus drove through the academy gates, past rows of plane trees lining both sides of the road. Female cadets in camouflage stood along the way directing the newcomers, their voices crisp and clear.The registration took forever. I had to go through a slew of forms and documents, grab my assigned uniform before finally getting to the dorm assignments part.…It was already evening by the time I was done with the registration.My dorm room housed four people, with metal bu

Dad didn't say anything in the group chat, but my phone rang 10 minutes later.It was Dad.There were several seconds of silence when I finally answered the phone, followed by a sigh that barely concealed his anger."Riley, where did you transfer your residency to?""Beckham City," I answered shortly."Beckham City? What are you doing there? I thought you didn't get into any decent university."I leaned against the iron railing of the dorm balcony, looking down at the cadets assembling for evening training."Dad, I got into the University of Defense Technology."This time, there was a longer silence."What?" he blurted in bewilderment."The University of Defense Technology. Early admission. I ranked 12th in the city."I heard him inhale sharply and swallow the rest of his words. He said nothing for a full 10 seconds.He didn't congratulate me. Instead, his first response was an accusation. "Why didn't you tell us?"His second was a complaint. "You ran off by yourself. Who'

"I was accepted into the University of Defense Technology," I stated."So?" Tania asked in confusion.Her reaction made me realize that the school's name meant absolutely nothing to them."Forget it. Are you calling me just to speak for Mom?"Tania paused. When she spoke again, her voice was quieter. "Riley, I really didn't expect them to forget your visa. I could've helped you if you'd told me about it.""Tania." I stopped her before she could say anything else.The word "help" sounded almost absurd coming from her."You don't need to help me, especially when you never have. I've been the one helping you for all these years. I picked up your packages, turned in your homework, and tutored you. Whenever something was missing, I had to step in and help. "Tania, have you ever wondered why whenever there wasn't enough of something I was always the one who had to go without? "Have you ever wondered why all of you thought that it was natural for me to accept that I wasn't coming a

Mom's eyes were swollen, and Dad had far more gray at his temples than he had before summer."Riley, look. It's Mom and Dad." Tania's voice was hoarse, as though she had just been crying.The camera shifted toward the coffee table. There was a stack of printed pages lying there. The first was an introduction to the University of Defense Technology, covered in highlighted passages. Next to it stood a framed photograph of me from elementary school, holding an Outstanding Student certificate.That photo used to sit forgotten in a dusty box on the top shelf of the bookcase. Now, it was printed, framed, and placed right beside our family portrait.I couldn't help but stare at it for a moment.Then, Mom started tremulously, "Riley, I've gone through all your old report cards for the past few days." She lowered her head and wiped her teary eyes. "You were first place at the top of your class every year. Outstanding Student, first prize in the physics competition, first prize in the w