The Summer I Disappeared Chapter 01

The Summer I Disappeared Chapter 01

Ten minutes before the college application deadline. Mom walked in with a mug of hot cocoa.

“Sweetheart, you and Leo grew up together. We always thought you’d go to college in the same state.”

“But your sister said she’s scared to go to state university alone. She wants Leo with her.”

“You’re independent. Going to the East Coast by yourself? I have complete faith in you.”

Leo. The boy next door I’d grown up with my whole life. He looked at me with something that might have been guilt and tugged at my sleeve.

“Winter, Tally’s timid. Let me stay local for a year, help her adjust.”

“Wait for me in Boston. We’ll video call every day, okay?”

Tally stood there, eyes red-rimmed, not saying a word.

I looked at them. It hit me then. I would always be the outsider in this family.

“Sure.” My voice came out flat. Like I was discussing someone else’s life.

Mom’s relief was visible. She turned to Tally, her face breaking into a wide smile.

“Perfect. Once Winter gets settled on the East Coast, if you ever want to move there, she’ll have everything ready for you.”

I turned away. Quietly deleted every East Coast school from my applications. Replaced them all with universities on the West Coast. As far away as possible.

They still thought I was the same fool who would always cave.

They didn’t know. The moment I hit submit, I was done with their world. Forever.

***

I walked out of my room. The living room was buzzing.

Mom cupped Tally’s face in her hands, smiling so hard the lines around her eyes crunched up.

“Our Tally is amazing! 1480 on the SAT! She’s a lock for the best state school!”

Dad nodded along beside her.

“Of course she is. Look who her father is.”

I stood there watching the happy scene.

The whole family celebrating Tally. Not one person asked what I scored.

Leo came out of the kitchen carrying a fruit platter. He spotted me.

He walked over, lifted his hand to ruffle my hair, hesitated, pulled it back.

“Winter. Apps all done?”

I didn’t look at him. Just made a quiet sound of confirmation.

“Hey, don’t stress about it.” Leo set the platter down, his voice dropping low.

“A bad SAT score isn’t the end of the world. Some small liberal arts college on the East Coast won’t be terrible. Being far from home will push you.”

He paused. Added,

“After I stay local with Tally for a year, I’ll come find you sophomore year. I’ll bring your favorite donuts. Apple cinnamon. I remember.”

In my pocket, my hand was clenched around a printed score report.

1590.

National Merit Scholar.

Ivy League admissions offices had blown up my phone the night before. I’d declined every call.

“Don’t bother.” I let go of the paper. My voice came out even.

Leo frowned slightly. Like he sensed something was off.

But the cheers from the living room pulled his attention away.

“To celebrate our Tally’s big score, we’re doing seafood tonight!” Dad made a sweeping gesture.

Tally jumped up. “Yes! I want king crab legs!”

I stood there, watching their excitement, and spoke quietly.

“I can’t eat shellfish.”

The air froze for a beat. Sophomore year. A seafood restaurant. Crab cakes. Full-body hives. I spent the night in the ER.

Leo was there with me. I remembered. They’d all forgotten.

Dad’s smile stiffened. He shot me a look of irritation.

Leo walked over, his voice low.

“Winter, Tally’s the star today. She did so well. Don’t ruin this.”

“The restaurant has salads and pasta. Just eat something to hold you over. I’ll order Chinese takeout for you when we get back, alright?”

He said it so casually. Like he was placating a difficult child.

I dropped my gaze.

“Fine.”

That night. A booth at Red Lobster.

A massive steamed lobster sat in the center of the table.

Mom and Dad kept cracking shells and peeling shrimp for Tally. Leo carefully picked bones out of her fish fillet.

“Tally, once you’re at college here, come home every weekend. Mom will cook all your favorites.” Mom’s eyes were dripping with adoration.

“Leo, you keep an eye on her too. Tally’s timid. Take good care of her.” Dad added.

Leo smiled and nodded. “Don’t worry. I’ll protect her.”

They orbited around Tally like she was the sun.

In front of me? A plate of dry sautéed vegetables. A glass of ice water.

“Actually, the East Coast is a good thing.” Mom suddenly turned to me.

“Winter, go scout things out first. You’re so capable. You’ll get everything set up. Then in a few years, when Tally graduates and wants to move there, you’ll have everything ready. Save her so much trouble.”

“Exactly.” Leo wiped Tally’s hands with a napkin and chimed in.

“Winter, you’re reliable. Go find a nice apartment, get familiar with the area. Tally won’t be totally lost when she comes.”

They said it like it was the most natural thing in the world.

I didn’t argue. I didn’t want to anymore.

I lowered my head and took a bite of a flavorless dinner roll.

My phone screen lit up.

The West Coast university admissions office. A confirmation email. I was in.

“Winter, why aren’t you saying anything?” Tally blinked her big, innocent eyes at me.

“You don’t want me cramping your space on the East Coast, do you? It’s fine. I can get my own place.”

“How could she think that?” Mom immediately pulled Tally into a protective hug.

“She’s your older sister. Of course she’ll take care of you.”

I shut off my phone screen and swallowed that dry bread.

“Yeah. No objections.”

I didn’t fight back. Didn’t argue.

Because they didn’t know. I never applied to a single school on the East Coast.