- 5.
After they left, I took a bath and put Ashley’s
stuff outside.
I also put my teddy bear outside.
I got it as a kid and I saved it for ten years.
I cleaned it a lot, and I slept with it every
night.
I thought that I could go back to the days
where I was the only one Mom and Dad
focused on.
But it’s okay now.
く
I went to bed.
When I woke up, no one was home. I saw an
invitation from Berkeley and decided to do it.
If I were still a teenager, I wouldn’t go.
Ashley didn’t want me to be better than her,
or she would start crying or have health
problems.
Mom and Dad would look at me with
disappointment.
I didn’t want to do that anymore.
Ashley can have Mom and Dad’s love, but I
want the rest.
Training started next week Two days later.
L
Ashley was better, and Mom and Dad brought
her home.
Mom didn’t look comfortable:
“Autumn, were you okay by yourself?”
Ashley smiled behind her.
I thought that it was boring. I looked at them
and started reading:
“I was okay. It was quiet.”
The room went silent.
Mom and Dad didn’t say anything. They were
waiting for me to start yelling like I used to.
But I just focused on my reading.
I stopped reading and got some mango.
Dad tried to grab my food.
I was surprised:
“This is my food. Ashley’s fancy food is in the
fridge. I didn’t touch it.”
Dad looked embarrassed:
“I didn’t mean that.”
I suddenly remembered.
I always tried to be nice so Mom and Dad
would notice me. Cutting fruit was one of
them.
<
But I forgot.
While I was thinking, Ashley said:
“Dad, I want shrimp for dinner.”
Dad looked at Ashley:
“Okay. I’ll get some now.”
Ashley smiled at me. I shrugged and went
back to reading.
I liked the fruit that I got for myself.
When Dad got back, I was resting on the
couch.
Ashley looked at Dad:
“Why is my fruit with my sister’s again?”
Dad started to say:
“We can afford for you and Autumn to have
the same thing.”
Dad looked at me.
I didn’t know what to do.
They always said that Ashley needed special
food because of her health problems.
I got mad, but they didn’t care.
They said that I was selfish.
I said that we had enough money, but they
looked sad.
<
What was happening?
I didn’t say anything.
Ashley glared at me and held her chest.
Chapter 2
I jumped back from the couch, holding my
hands up. “I didn’t do anything. I didn’t say
anything.”
“The fruit wasn’t for me. Do whatever you
want with it.”
I didn’t wait to see their reaction. I just went
back to my room and closed the door.
