Escape to College

“As long as you understand.” Maybe she didn’t expect me to give in so quickly; her voice sounded awkward. After a pause, she switched to a gentle tone. “Are you coming home for Thanksgiving? The fourth is your sister and brother-in-law’s engagement party.”

I cleared my throat, trying to hide my choked voice: “No, I have a lot to do at school.”

I could hear the disappointment in her silence, but I didn’t care anymore.

I was tired of being the afterthought.

“Okay, then take care of yourself at school. If you need more money, ask Mom.”

“Mm.”

After hanging up, I couldn’t hold back my tears anymore. They’re always like this: a slap, then a sweet date, never admitting their favoritism. Maybe they love me, but their love is limited. By the time it gets to me, there’s barely any left.

I curled up on my bed, letting the tears come, the ache in my chest finally spilling over.

For once, I didn’t try to hold it in.

In the lively dorm room, Bailey noticed my silence. She didn’t say much, just dragged her chair over with a smile as usual. “Eating alone is too boring, let’s eat together.” She took my bread with a look of disdain. “What are you eating? It’s not nutritious at all. Here! Eat mine, I spent a lot on this chicken pot pie, it’s delicious!”

She waved her fork in my face until I took a bite, her laughter filling the room.

I couldn’t help but smile, even through my tears.

Before I could say anything, another roommate came over. “What’s delicious? I want some too.”

Bailey teased her, “I said Autumn could eat it, why are you butting in?”

The roommate playfully squeezed in, acting cute, “No, let me have a bite.”

Their antics finally made me laugh.

I wiped my eyes, grateful for their silliness. For the first time that week, I felt like I belonged somewhere.

When I went home for winter break, the atmosphere was a bit tense. I heard that Melissa had a big fight with my parents and hadn’t come home for months, making them both unhappy. Talking to my grandmother on the phone, I learned that Melissa’s engagement party was canceled. Apparently, the groom’s family wanted to remove Melissa’s name from the house because our family had three kids, including a brother and sister. Both families were upset about it. But Melissa didn’t blame the groom’s family; instead, she kept fighting with my parents. She scolded them for favoring boys and for having so many children.

The house felt colder than usual, the air thick with old arguments and unspoken resentments. I kept my head down, careful not to get caught in the crossfire.