I Canceled The Banquet And Let Their Plan Burn Chapter 03
Ruby and I spent two full days by the lake.
By the time Mr. Miller pulled his truck up to my neighborhood entrance, the sky had already gone completely dark.
“We’ll be here to pick you up at exactly nine tomorrow morning, Nadia,” Mr. Miller said warmly.
“Sounds perfect. Thank you so much, Mr. Miller.”
The moment I unlocked the front door and stepped inside, I realized my family had already returned from their trip.
Lyra was standing in front of the full-length mirror, spinning around in a cascading, water-blue tulle gown. The hem of her dress brushed against a literal mountain of designer shopping bags piled high on the floor.
I recognized that dress instantly.
Just last month, I had dragged my mom to the boutique downtown, pointing at that exact gown in the window and telling her I wanted to wear it for my graduation celebration. My mom had smiled fondly, ruffling my hair. “Of course, sweetheart. The moment your official scores come out, it’s yours.”
Now, it was on Lyra.
Noticing me walk in, Lyra’s eyes flickered slightly before she forced a bright, radiant smile and glided over.
“Hey, Nadia! Doesn’t this dress look stunning on me? Mom said my complexion is perfect for this shade, so she bought it for me.”
“Oh, and look! Cole bought me this necklace to match!” She tilted her chin up to flaunt a diamond-encrusted pendant resting against her collarbone.
My mom stood just a few paces behind her. When she saw me staring at the gown, she instantly lowered her head, completely avoiding my gaze. She knew exactly who that dress belonged to.
I kicked off my shoes and immediately walked toward my bedroom.
Thwack!
My brother slammed his phone down onto the coffee table with violent force.
“Nadia, what is with that miserable look on your face?”
“For the graduation party, you’re just going to wear that plain white t-shirt you always wear. No makeup, no styling. You’re already half a head taller than Lyra anyway. If you overdress and steal her spotlight, how is she supposed to take photos for her TikTok growth?”
My lips parted slightly.
I wanted to tell them that the interview was canceled, that there would be no graduation party, and that I wasn’t going anywhere near their venue. But looking at the three of them fussing over Lyra like loyal subjects, a profound sense of indifference settled over me.
Whatever, I thought. Let them find out on their own.
I shut my bedroom door, locking out my brother’s fading shouts.
I pulled out my backpack, sliding in my ID and my official admission letter to Eldridge University. Then I neatly folded my clothes and packed them into a single, compact 20-inch suitcase.
One backpack, one small suitcase. I had lived in this house for eighteen years, and yet, the sum of my existence could be reduced to just this.
