Graduation Day: I Wasn't in the Picture
Olive TreeRemorse FamilyFamilial BondBiasBest FriendFamily Emotions
On the day we take our graduation photos, Mom and Dad hold up their cameras, snapping countless pictures of my boyfriend and my best friend.
In the viewfinder, the two of them lean in close while my parents watch on with proud, beaming smiles, despite my being their biological daughter and the girl Gavin has been dating for the last four years.
I stand off in the corner, clad in my cap and gown, waiting for what feels like an eternity, but Mom never once beckons me over to join them.
Once Charlotte finishes her photoshoot, she mentions that she still hasn't lined up a decent job yet.
Gavin completely forgets I'm even there and instantly leans in to comfort her.
"Why don't you come work at the company I just joined? That way, I can look out for you."
Dad nods right along in agreement. "Send me a copy of your resume, Lottie. I'll ask around for you. You shouldn't have to settle, especially when it's your first real job."
Nolan walks over carrying a bottle of ice water, but he passes it to Charlotte.
"Don't sweat the job hunt, Lottie," he says. "My company's hiring. I'll get you an internal referral."
It's only when they catch sight of my hand freezing midair that everyone finally remembers that I'm standing right next to them.
"Natalie, you should just find a random job and get on with it," Nolan says.
Mom chimes in, "Exactly. You didn't major in anything special, so you should be grateful if a company even wants you. Stop being so picky."
As Gavin scrolls through the gallery on his phone, his brow suddenly furrows into a frown.
"Natalie's blocking Lottie in this one. I'm deleting it."
But out of nearly 400 pictures, that's the only one where I exist.
I stand off to the side, my hands tightening into fists.
It turns out it isn't a matter of them failing to see me.
They see me perfectly fine. They just think I'm a nuisance. It's as if Charlotte is their actual daughter, and my boyfriend belongs right by her side.
If that's how it's going to be, then I'm taking the job farthest away from home, and I'm never coming back.