Mom’s eyes flickered. “Maddie won it in a school raffle. There are only three spots. We’re going with her because it’s fair.”
“You can stay home and think about your behavior. We’ll take you next time.”
I gave a cold smile. “And when exactly is next time?”
Maddie had always been the fragile one. The doctors said I’d stolen her nutrients in the womb.
Since then, my parents had spoiled her relentlessly.
When I won a doll in elementary school, Maddie said she liked it. Mom made me give it to her.
When there were only a few drumsticks or Buffalo wings left at dinner, Maddie got first pick. I got
whatever was left.
Every time, Mom said, “Next time means next time. Be the bigger sister.”
But that “next time” never came.
She didn’t answer.
Dad raised his hand again, ready to strike.
“What? Go to your room. You’re grounded.”
I stumbled up the stairs, clutching the wall as pain echoed through my chest.
Not long after, a text came in from Mr. Carter.
[Sierra, come to school tomorrow morning. We’ll go over your SAT scores and work on your college major declaration.]
[Okay.]
I curled up in bed, holding the phone.
This was my chance.
College wasn’t just a way out–it was my way forward.
A chance to escape this family. To build something for myself.
Chapter/
Mr. Carter paused, clearly surprised by my request.
“You know the education resources in the Northwest aren’t anywhere near what Columbla offers. Why the sudden interest in moving out there?”
1 gave him the answer I’d stayed up all night rehearsing. “I know. But I made my desicion.”
He looked at me with something like admiration, but still hesitated. “This is a huge decision, Sierra. Maybe talk it over with your parents?”
I shook my head, polite but firm. “I’m eighteen. Legally an adult. I want to make this decision on my own. And… I’d really appreciate it if you kept this private for now. I’m not ready for anyone else to
know.”
Seeing how serious I was, Mr. Carter didn’t push back. He helped me fill out the application for the early admission program at Northwest Institute of Science and submitted it through the portal right then and there.
“You better start packing,” he said. “If everything goes smoothly, you’ll be leaving by the start of next month.”
I thanked him over and over before stepping out of the office.
over?
And walked straight into Chase.
His eyes searched mine, emotions roiling beneath the surface. “Mr. Carter said you’re leaving. What’s he talking about? Where are you going?”
I didn’t want to explain. “He just meant college is starting soon. We’ll all be heading off in different directions.”
I kept walking, but he followed, sticking to my side as we descended the stairs.
“You didn’t send me a goodnight text last night. Were you mad? I didn’t mean to ignore you at the party–it’s just, everyone was teasing me about being with Maddie. I didn’t want to embarrass her.”
He reached out, trying to ruffle my hair like he always used to.
But I stepped away.
He froze.
I looked him right in the eye. “Chase, Maddie and I are twins. Have you ever stopped to think…..
17.501
maybe the one you liked all along was her?”
His expression shifted. “What? No. That’s not true. If I liked Maddie, why would I date you?”
“Sierra, I’m already yours, okay? You’re not trying to back out of this, are you?”
I held his gaze, heart pounding.
But before I could say anything more, a voice called from around the corner.
“Chase!” Maddie’s sweet, sing–song tone echoed down the hallway. “Didn’t you promise to help me go over my scores?”
Chase immediately turned. “Yeah! I’m coming!”
He looked back at me, apologetic. “I told Maddie I’d help her figure out her college options. Don’t overthink it. I’ll help you after, okay?”
Then he jogged off.
I didn’t say a word.
All I could do was watch him walk away.
As he and Maddie headed off together, the underclassmen couldn’t stop whispering.
“Chase and Maddie look so cute together.”
“I thought graduation season was when couples break up, not get sweeter.”
“I heard they’re both applying to Columbia.”
“Duh, they’re totally dating. My cousin was at their grad party last night–he saw them kissing.”
The words hit me like little darts.
So… after I left, they’d gone even further.
I guess I’d made the right call choosing the early admission program.
‘t have to keep pretending.
Once I left, Chase wouldn’t have to keep pretending.
1
And I wouldn’t have to watch it anymore.
I headed back to the dorms to pack.
In the bottom of my desk drawer, I found my old journal. The one I hadn’t touched in months.
17.50
Page after page was filled with memories of me and Chase–dates, fights, moments that had once felt unforgettable.
I tore each page out, one by one, and dropped them into the trash.
A photo slipped loose from between the pages–Chase, mid–air during a basketball game, looking like something out of a teen sports movie.
I bent down to pick it up, but someone beat me to it.
“Whoa–aren’t Chase and Maddie a thing now?” one girl said, holding the picture up.
“Sierra, why are you hiding his photo like some stalker ex?”
Another snickered. “Guess twins really do share everything–same face, same taste in guys.” “Seriously, get a grip,” a third girl sneered. “Fantasizing about your sister’s boyfriend? Pathetic.” I snatched the photo back, eyes cold. “Throwing out baseless rumors isn’t just immature–it’s defamation. I don’t like Chase. And I’m not the type to cling to other people’s leftovers.”
Right in front of all of them, I ripped the photo to pieces and tossed them out the window.
The fragments fluttered down like confetti, landing right on Chase’s shoulders as he passed by outside.
He looked up, confused.
His eyes met mine through the open window.
And just like that, the last thread between us snapped.
