She Got Five Suitcase, I Got A Broken Backpack Chapter 04
I pushed myself up against the wall. My knee–slammed
“against a pillar when I’d bolted out too fast–was raw and
bleeding, the pain stabbing deep.
I looked at him–this boy who’d once seemed like the only
light in the darkness–and felt nothing but a wave of cold revulsion.
“So what if I did?”
My voice came out surprisingly steady.
Zion’s eyes flickered, and he cleared his throat. “Good that you
heard, then. The reason I stopped you–I just wanted to
confirm your college choice. You didn’t actually apply to the
local state university just to follow me, did you? Tessa Brooks,
we’re adults now. Don’t do the desperate clinging thing. It’s
ugly. And it’s bad for everyone.”
I stared at him like he was the funniest joke I’d ever seen. I
pulled my bleeding hand into my sleeve.
“You’re flattering yourself. I don’t have time to care where you
applied–and I definitely didn’t change my plans for you.”
Zion visibly exhaled in relief and waved his hand
dismissively. “Good. Hope you have a very ‘fulfilling‘ college
experience. Oh, and if you get a chance, put in a good word for
me with Mia. If things actually work out between us, I’ll treat
you to dinner.”
Half an hour later, the party ended. The family car was
already waiting out front.
The moment we stepped through the exit, Mom rushed up to
Mia, her brow furrowed. “Mia! Did you drink?! With your
health–how could you touch alcohol?!”
Dad and Simon instantly lost their composure.
Simon stepped forward and shoved me hard on the shoulder.
I staggered, nearly crashing onto the hard steps. The blood on
my knee was stark and impossible to miss.
“Tessa Brooks, what kind of sister are you?! We told you
before we left–watch Mia! And you let her drink?!”
Dad’s face was iron. “I knew we couldn’t count on you.
Completely useless. Can’t even look after your own sister.”
watched them crowd around Mia, the wound on my knee
screaming in pain.
“Mr. and Mrs. Brooks, you’ve misunderstood.” A classmate who
couldn’t stand it anymore spoke up quietly. “Mia didn’t drink.
Someone spilled fruit punch on her jacket during a game.”
The air went still.
Mia finally spoke, sticking out her tongue and wrapping her
arm around Mom’s, wheedling. “Mom, I just wanted to see you
guys all worried about me. It was just a little joke.”
Mom let out a long breath and poked her forehead fondly.
“You little brat–you scared me to death!”
Dad and Simon’s tension melted away.
From beginning to end, not a single person glanced at my
still–bleeding leg. Not a single word of apology for the vicious,
groundless accusations they’d just hurled at me.
Alright, get in the car.” Simon pulled the door open and
tossed a cold remark over his shoulder as he passed me. “Pay
more attention next time. Don’t make people worry.”
I lowered my head and let out a bitter laugh.
Move–in day. Mia’s six oversized suitcases, several massive
bags of luxury bedding, and newly purchased snacks filled
both family cars to the brim.
Simon sat in the driver’s seat, Mom and Mia in the back. Dad
drove the other car, the passenger seat piled high with Mia’s
various designer plush toys.
I stood alone outside the car, holding my backpack.
Mom rolled down the window and glanced at me. “Tessa,
look, the car really can’t fit anything else. You’re going to the
$tate school anyway–it’s close. Just grab a cab to campus
yourself. We need to get there early to set up Mia’s room.
Can’t waste time.”
“Yeah, Tessa,” Mia said sweetly. “You’re so independent. You’ll be totally fine.”
“Okay.”
I nodded calmly.
The windows rolled up. Both cars pulled away without the
slightest hesitation and disappeared down the street.
I stood where I was, watching the direction they’d vanished.
The very last chain inside me–the one called “family“–
finally shattered into ash.
I turned and strode to the neighborhood gate. I hailed a cab.
Miss, heading back to school, huh? State university, right?”
the driver asked warmly.
I set my backpack beside me, rolled down the window, and let
the wind of freedom hit my face.
“No. The airport.”