Chapter 3

I went back to my room and started packing my suitcase in silence.

I opened my closet. Out of dozens of clothes, only three or four faded t-shirts actually belonged to me.

Mom always said, "You two are twins, just share your clothes."

But I had highly sensitive skin. Wearing cheap polyester gave me painful red rashes.

They never believed me.

Even if they found out I got into Juilliard, they would never love me. I knew that now.

I dropped the clothes back into the closet.

I packed only my absolute essentials.

Suddenly, my phone rang. It was Mom.

"Pearl, come down to the Italian restaurant down the street. We're celebrating Jade's decision to try again next year. We need to support her."

I opened my bedroom door. The apartment was completely empty.

They had already left without me.

They could have walked down together as a family of four. But they "forgot" me again.

I wanted to say I wasn't going.

But realizing these were my last few days here, I swallowed my pride. "I'll be there."

When I arrived at the restaurant, the table was loaded with lobster, oysters, and shrimp—all of Jade's favorites.

I was highly allergic to seafood.

But they chose to ignore it.

"You're twins," Dad had said years ago. "She's fine, so why are you acting so dramatic? If you don't want to eat, don't. More for Jade."

I was used to it. The pain didn't even register anymore.

I pulled out a chair and sat down.

Jade's plate was piled high with shrimp Mom had personally peeled for her.

In front of me, there wasn't even a fork or a glass.

Dad was busy pouring watermelon juice for Jade.

The three of them looked like a perfect, happy family. I was just a ghost sitting at the edge of their frame.

Jade smirked. "Dad, how much allowance did you send me today?"

"I got $1,000 via Venmo. Pearl, you're going to college, so you must have gotten more, right?"

I looked at my Snapchat. There was a single pending transfer of $20.

I didn't accept it.

Mom placed another lobster tail on Jade's plate. "Your sister is eighteen now. She needs to start earning her own money."

Jade pouted, leaning into Mom's shoulder. "Ugh, really? I don't want to grow up if I have to pay for my own stuff."

Mom laughed, stroking Jade's hair. "Don't worry, sweetie. This $1,000 is for you to spend on whatever you want. Just focus on your prep classes for Juilliard."

"If you need more, just ask."

"Can I have $3,000 more then? I want to go to Cabo with my friends before prep classes start!" Jade squealed.

Mom unlocked her phone and sent $5,000 via Apple Pay without a second thought.

I saw her contact list on her screen. Jade was pinned to the top.

My name wasn't even saved; I was just a raw phone number.

I used to dream about this. Kneeling by Mom's side, being comforted, having my mistakes forgiven, and getting whatever I asked for.

But the reality was, when I asked Mom for $300 to buy a cheap iPad for my schoolwork after graduation, she had scoffed.

"If you put half of that energy into your dancing, you wouldn't be such a disappointment."

Dad tapped his fork against my empty table space. "Why aren't you eating?"

"I don't have a fork," I said honestly.

"Then ask the waiter for one!" Dad snapped. "Are you a princess? Do we have to serve you ourselves?"

I looked down. I wasn't a princess.

But why did Jade get her shrimp peeled and fed to her?

When the waiter finally brought my utensils, Mom tossed a single shrimp onto my plate.

"There. I gave her some, and now I'm giving you some. Don't go telling people we favor your sister."

I opened my mouth, but Dad cut me off. "Your mother gave you food. Stop making that miserable face and eat."

"Now."

I picked up the shrimp. I stared at it for a long time before forcing it down my throat.

Almost instantly, my throat began to burn.

Dad laughed, turning to Mom. "See? I told you she was faking her allergy all these years just to get attention."

They kept laughing and talking.

I realized then that to parents who don't love you, your very life is nothing but a joke.

I stood up, my throat tightening. "I'm full."

I turned and walked out.