Chapter 1 #2
I wipe my hands on my pants, grab the keys, and go back upstairs for my phone and bag. “Changed my mind, you’re coming with me,” I yell as I walk away.
“Okay, sissy.”
I can’t breathe.
My throat tightens as I walk down the hallway, but I keep moving. I hate that I have to do this, that he can still make me afraid. Because I know exactly what will happen if I fight back. I won’t be the one who pays for it. Milo will.
Breathe, please. Breathe.
Something is squeezing my throat from the inside, and I can see it, the makeup bag hidden beneath my sketchbook; I can almost hear it.
The voice that says that the solution is there.
But instead of giving in, I gather everything, slip the mail into my bag to check later and pause in front of my window.
Breathe. Breathe. Fucking breathe.
I hate it. The effect his neglect has on me. That disgust in his eyes, the lack of empathy, the way he looks down on me.
Calm down, Mireya. Calm down.
Deep breath, deep exhale and I go back to the kitchen.
Milo ran to me after grabbing his backpack. “Thanks, sis,” he says, taking my hand.
“Always, firefly.”
I grab my coat and lead him out, not looking back at the monster in the kitchen.
The sun is coming up as we get in the car, and I rest my head on the wheel for a second, breathing hard.
Don’t think about it, don’t think about it, don’t think about it.
Then I felt a small hand on my arm. Milo meets my eyes, smiling like it could heal everything that’s hurting me, and it does. “Can I pick the music, Reya?”
“Anything you want, baby. Let’s go.”
He grins and fiddles with the radio. Soon, the soft opening notes of the song fills the car. It’s always so strange to see him try his best to make me smile when he shouldn't. He's just a kid; he should be just a kid.
Almost instinctively, we start singing together, softly at first, voices blending in a clumsy, off-key harmony as I drove off.
“Wait, you’re saying it wrong!” He whispers, grinning.
“Yeah, well, sue me!”
By the time we pull into the school parking lot, I turn toward him and brush a kiss on his cheek. “Have a nice day, firefly,” I say softly.
He smiles widely, brushing his fingers over mine. “You too. Pinky promise?”
“Pinky promise,” I agree, squeezing his hand. “Be safe at school, okay?”
He hops out, backpack slung over his shoulders and waves back at me. “Okay, love you, bye!”
“Love you, bye,” I call back, waving until he disappears behind the school doors.
I lean back in my seat and finally open the mail. Bills and more bills. But then I see my name on one of them. My hands are shaking, my heart racing as I slit the blue envelope.
St. Ellesta Academy
Student number: 7779310
Dear Miss Vitelli,
We are pleased to inform you that your application to St. Ellesta Academy has been accepted. It is with our greatest pleasure to write to congratulate you on your admission to the Class of 2010. Congratulations on earning your place, and welcome to St. Ellesta Academy.
You have been admitted to the Advanced Behavioral Analysis (ABA2) Program.
St. Ellesta Academy is one of the most sought-after prestigious institutions here in Seraphin Bay Island.
For over a century, the academy’s motto, “Respice finem” - ‘Consider the End’, has been at the forefront of our students' minds and has guided them through the trials and tribulations they will face here at the academy.
As an Ellesta student, you will study, train, and research alongside accomplished faculty and distinguished scholars, and create life-long friendships and memories. Should you have any questions or need further assistance, please feel free to contact us at the provided number or email address.
Sincerely,
Spencer Porter
Headmaster of St. Ellesta Academy
Congratulations.
Congratulations.
Congratulations.
I got in… Did they accept me? Me? Mireya… I’ve been accepted.
“Holy fucking fuck.”
I think I said that too loudly, judging how this old lady covers her son’s ears and gazes at me like I lack education. But I don’t care.
Milo and I’s future is on this paper, and I can’t stop shaking.
I press my head against my steering wheel, counting my breaths the way Edna taught me to stop me from spiraling.
The sleepless nights. All the late evenings I spent studying with Hayzel.
Exams. Physical fitness tests. For months, days crawled backward.
I stared at the calendar like it might explode.
My hands wouldn’t stop shaking; my stomach twisted itself into knots, and sleep came in scraps; it was never enough.
I ran every day, thinking: one more day, one more test, just get through this.
Doing this after work so dad won’t notice. And it all paid off.
I got in.
“I got in…I got in, mom, I did it,” I whisper to myself, wiping a small tear from rolling down my cheek.
Would she even care about this? Probably, or maybe she’d tell me that my father needs me here forever.
I don’t even know anymore.
I can't wait to tell Edna; she's going to be so happy.
And Hayzel— “Shit…” the word flies from my mouth as I scramble around in the car, looking for my cell.
I flip the small device and press 1 to call my best friend.