Chapter 36

The parent–teacher day came around.

Seeing my classmates with their parents, I felt a growing resentment toward Ashley. I often found myself wondering, who was the real child here, her or me?

No answers came my way.

I got the seat closest to the teacher’s podium.

Parents streamed in, and it seemed like everyone was staring

at me.

The whispers started, “Her parents are around, but why show up for one kid’s conference and skip the other’s?”

“What kind of parents play favorites like that?”

The headteacher walked in last, and the empty seat next to me didn’t escape her notice.

In my previous life, I sat there in the corner. Feeling all those eyes on me, I couldn’t take it and rushed out in a huff.

But this time, I didn’t dodge the glances. “Sorry, my folks can’t make it,” I told the teacher, who understood my situation and gave me a sympathetic nod.

After the conference, I packed it up and headed home, the same as always.

But at the school gate, I saw them. It was like my feet were

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to the spot.

my mom, wiping Ashley’s forehead, my dad carrying her bag, and my brother, who’d rushed over from

barely remember what they tasted

just for a second, that they’d turn around and see me, their other

always there

never

got into their shiny new car. I instinctively checked my phone, only to find nothing. No calls, no texts.

a pang of

the evening, but they didn’t show

usual burger joint. That was when my dad called.

have you been? It’s

say something wrong? Don’t be upset

Grace. I didn’t mean to take your parents from you. I’m almost eighteen. I can leave and give

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36

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chimed in, “We’re not going to miss you if you don’t come back. Ashley,

was

them I’d be right back. When I got

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