Overlooked and always second to her sister in her parents' eyes, a young woman decides to put distance between herself and her family by choosing a college far from home. As she builds a life on her own, the question of whether her parents will ever truly see her hangs over every choice she makes.
Under the table, I smoothed the napkin I had crushed in my fist. My phone lit up. Your record puts several top East Coast schools within reach. MIT's full ride would also be a great fit.
Which one is your first choice? I stared at the amount listed under the full ride, MIT. A full ride from MIT is enough to help me escape this family. Have you discussed this with your parents?
MIT is in Massachusetts, and the full scholarship requires a separate interview. And the scholarship was my only way to get the money I needed. Not yet, but I'm 18. I can make this decision for myself.
Amelia doesn't look thrilled about boarding. Sophia's voice briefly silenced the table. She sat between our parents and put on a concerned look. Mom was cutting steak for her.
Of course I didn't want to board. Mom owned a penthouse 15 minutes from school. She would rather leave it empty than let me stay there. I'm tied up with a major acquisition right now.
If you move in, that miserable attitude of yours will make it impossible for me to get any work Dad set down his wine. She really did look pissed. I missed one parent conference last year, and she barely spoke to me for a week.
You'd think I lived off her money. Mom gave me that familiar, disappointed look. Your sister just started junior year. This is when college planning matters.
Why shouldn't your father meet her counselor first? For once, I didn't rush in with an excuse for them. If junior year matters so much, why didn't either of you come when I was a junior?