Two Thousand Kilometers South, Away From Everyone I Loved Chapter 02

Two Thousand Kilometers South, Away From Everyone I Loved Chapter 02

Three days later, the front door was pushed open. Laughter and chatter instantly flooded the living room.

“Chicago is so dry—I’ve gone through a dozen face masks and nothing helps,” Mom complained, kicking off her shoes. Leo followed with armfuls of shopping bags. “As long as Anna’s happy. I think she’s been looking so much better lately.”

I sat on the couch, holding a book. The moment they saw me, their laughter stopped abruptly. The atmosphere in the living room stiffened for a brief moment.

Mom frowned, her eyes scanning the clean coffee table. “Stella, we’ve been out and exhausted for days, and you couldn’t even be bothered to pour us a glass of water?”

I closed my book and stood up. “There’s hot water in the kettle.” Mom glared at me and turned to get a cup.

Anna peeked out from behind Leo. She was wearing a brand-new designer dress and limited-edition sneakers. All spoils from Chicago.

“Stella, don’t be mad at Mom and Dad. I’m the one who made them take me. If you want to blame someone, blame me.” She lowered her head, her voice dripping with hurt.

Leo immediately shielded her behind him. “Anna, why are you apologizing? What right does she have to be angry?” He turned to me, his eyes sharp. “Stella, who have you been giving the cold shoulder to all week? Anna’s about to start prep school—she’s under so much pressure. Can’t you be a little more understanding?”

I looked at Leo—my own flesh and blood. Ever since we were kids, the moment Anna shed a tear, I was always the one in the wrong.

“I wasn’t giving anyone the cold shoulder,” I said, my voice calm.

“Then what about your scholarship?” Mom came over with her water glass. “Lucas said you were supposed to transfer the money for Anna’s apartment. Why didn’t you? Do you have any idea that Anna cried for half the night because she couldn’t get that place with heating?”

I looked at my mother’s self-righteous face. “I earned that money working late-night part-time jobs and scraping by. Why should I give it to her?”

Mom slammed her cup heavily on the coffee table. “Because she’s your sister! You got into such a good university—you can easily make money tutoring anytime. Anna’s foundation is weak. What’s wrong with you, as her older sister, helping out a little?”

Just then, Lucas pushed open the door and walked in. He was holding an exquisite silver box. It was the latest drawing tablet I’d been eyeing for a full six months but could never bring myself to buy. I was a design major—I really needed this. Lucas had once promised that if I got into Northwestern, he’d give it to me as an admission gift.

He walked to the center of the living room, his gaze skipping right over me and landing directly on Anna.

“Anna, the tablet you wanted.”

Anna let out a cheer and threw herself at Lucas, hugging his arm. “Thanks, Lucas—you’re the best!” Lucas reached out and ruffled her hair, his eyes brimming with affection.

I stood where I was, watching that silver box.

Lucas turned his head and looked at me. “Stella, your old tablet still works. Money’s tight for me right now—I just started working. Don’t be petty. When you’re a sophomore, I’ll use my year-end bonus to get you a new one.”

He was always like this. Using the gentlest tone to do the most biased things.

I didn’t kick up a fuss. I didn’t question him. I just nodded lightly. “Fine. I won’t be petty.”

Lucas froze for a second. In the past, whenever something like this happened, I’d always get red-eyed and argue with him a few rounds. He liked watching me get jealous and hurt over him, and then he’d condescendingly toss me a few crumbs of sweetness to comfort me. But today, I said nothing. I just turned and walked toward my bedroom.

The moment I closed the door, I heard Leo sneering outside. “At least she knows her place.”

I leaned my back against the door and looked at my already packed suitcase. Inside, just a few old clothes and that old tablet with cracks already spiderwebbing across the screen.

It didn’t matter. The sunshine in Miami was bright and warm. I didn’t need this false light.