I Couldn’t Afford My Parents ‘Time Chapter 05
“New York.”
Dad’s hand tightened around the suitcase handle.
“New York?”
“What are you going there for?”
College.”
Mom finally put down the plate she was holding and hurried over.
Didn’t you say you were just going to pick some local college?”
I looked at her.
That was your idea.”
“I never said I wanted to stay here.”
Mom looked stunned for a moment.
Then her expression darkened.
She glanced around at the guests and lowered her voice.
“Then what school in New York did you get into?”
“Why didn’t you tell us?”
Evan finally stepped forward.
“Hazel got into Columbia University.”
The entire room went silent.
Mom froze.
“What did you say?”
‘Columbia University.”
Evan repeated.
“She ranked first in science at our school this year.”
Everyone’s eyes turned toward my parents.
Just moments ago, they had told everyone I could only find
some random local college.
Mrs. Carter was the first to react.
That’s amazing!”
You should be celebrating!”
How come you never mentioned it?”
Mom’s expression turned awkward.
Then angry.
But she quickly forced a smile.
“She…”
“She’s always loved surprising us since she was little.”
Dad immediately let go of my suitcase and patted my shoulder.
“I knew Hazel would never let us down.”
It was like they had known all along.
Like they weren’t the ones who had just denied me in front of everyone.
Mom grabbed my phone from my hand.
“Wait.”
Don’t leave.”
“I’ll cancel your ticket.”
“This is a huge thing.”
How can you just leave?”
“We need to throw you a graduation party.”
And we need family photos.”
Exactly.”
Dad smiled.
“Uncle Jack and the others are all here.”
“It’s the perfect time to tell everyone.”
He turned and asked the server to bring more champagne.
Mom grabbed my arm and tried to pull me back into the
party hall.
This was the first time they had ever been proud of me in
front of a crowd.
But they never asked why I had hidden it from them.
They never asked if I was scared to go to New York alone.
They only cared that they almost missed a chance to show me off.
I don’t want a graduation party.”
Mom’s smile froze.
“What are you upset about now?”
“My flight is boarding soon.”
I took my phone back and pulled my suitcase behind me.
Dad stepped in front of me.
“We never agreed to this.”
“You’re not going to New York alone.”
“Where’s your acceptance letter?”
“Let me see it first.”
Melody walked over.
She stared at my suitcase with a complicated expression.
“Hazel…”
“You really got into Columbia University?”
It’s okay.”
You’ll get into a top–tier university next year too.”
Tears instantly filled Melody’s eyes.
But you just said…”
“If I get into a top–tier university, you would take me on a month–long trip.”
If Hazel got into Columbia University…”
Wouldn’t you do the same for her?”
Mom immediately denied it.
“Of course not.”
‘She’s already an adult.”
“She doesn’t need us anymore.“:
The second she said it, she realized what she had done.
The expressions around us changed.
But I wasn’t surprised.
Even after I got into Columbia University, their first thought
was still making sure Melody didn’t feel hurt.
My phone buzzed again.
The boarding reminder appeared.
walked around Dad and headed for the exit.
Behind me, Mom shouted:
“Hazel!”
If you walk out today, don’t expect us to take you to school!”
I didn’t turn around.
If she had said that a few days ago, I might have been hurt.
But now…
I didn’t need them anymore.
Not even for a single minute.
After I left the hotel, Evan texted me,
“Are you sure you can do this alone?”
I looked at the screen.
Then replied:
“It’s fine.”