Chapter 2
In those two days, while the SAT was happening, under Amelia's guidance, I got all my paperwork for going abroad sorted out.
After everything was settled, there were still fifteen days left before my departure.
Amelia organized the whole class to go to the amusement park and unwind.
Since I'd never been to an amusement park before, I was thrilled and agreed right away.
When I got to the amusement park entrance, my phone rang. It was Samuel.
"Stella, you need to come home right now. Mom's headache is acting up again," Samuel said urgently.
This might be my last chance to do something for her.
I forced myself to turn down Amelia, even though I really wanted to go.
I raced home, my heart pounding.
The moment I stepped inside, the first thing I got was a whole cream cake slammed right into my face.
The hard bits in the cake scraped across my skin, leaving me bleeding and covered in cream.
Blood and cream smeared over my eyes, blocking out everything.
I started hopping around, frantically rubbing my eyes, just trying to get the cream out.
I was desperate to see again, clawing at my face for any glimpse of light.
The whole room erupted in laughter.
Luna was cracking up the hardest, her laughter echoing above everyone else's.
"Mom, Dad, Samuel, you gotta see this," Luna shouted.
Luna shouted, laughing louder than anyone, "Doesn't Stella look just like a stray dog right now?"
If it were the old me, I would've done anything, no matter how humiliating, just for a scrap of Mom and Dad's affection.
I would've forced myself to play along with Luna, barking like a dog, just to win their approval.
But this time, I really didn't want to please anyone anymore.
Silent, I wiped the cream and blood off my face with my sleeve.
Without a word, I turned and walked away.
The next second, Luna started sobbing, putting on her best pitiful act.
"Stella, don't you like the surprise I prepared for you?" Luna sniffled.
Right after that, a louder slap landed across my face, knocking me straight to the floor.
The sharp, metallic taste of blood flooded my mouth.
Dad pointed at me, yelling furiously, "Stella, bow and apologize to Luna."
"Do you even realize how much Luna bent over backwards to throw you this surprise party after the SAT?" Dad shouted.
Samuel wrapped Luna in his arms, his face full of sympathy and worry for her.
"Yeah, do you know how much extra Luna tipped the delivery guy just to get that cake through the storm?" Samuel added.
"Fine, if you don't care, but why do you have to come home and make everyone uncomfortable?" he snapped.
The mom, whom Samuel claimed was suffering from a splitting headache just a minute ago, chimed in, sounding anything but sick.
"Guess it's my fault for letting her come back just because we're family," Mom scoffed. "If I'd known she'd turn out to be such an ungrateful wretch, I would've just left her to fend for herself in that slum."
Mom's words felt like a knife twisting in my heart.
I wiped the blood from my face and stood up.
I glanced emotionlessly over each of their faces.
I used to bend over backwards for this family, trying to make up for everything.
I hadn't even said a word.
I just didn't go along with their beloved Luna's little show and humiliate myself.
And just like that, I became a total villain in their eyes.
Maybe that was for the best.
At least now I didn't have to feel bad about walking away.
"Sorry, Luna. The cake was nice," I said.
"Samuel said Mom's headache was really bad, so I was just worried," I added and spoke with genuine sincerity.
"Is your headache still bothering you, Mom?" I asked.
At my words, an awkward look flashed across Mom, Dad, and Samuel's faces.
Even Luna, who was busy playing the victim, froze for a second.
She was probably thinking that after she pushed my buttons so hard on SAT day, how on earth I still managed not to argue or make a scene.
So why was I still not making a scene?
Just keeping a straight face, I said, "Mom, Dad, Samuel, I'm a little tired from coming back. Can I go to my room now?"
Dad cleared his throat and said, "Yeah, just go."
I turned and headed upstairs.
I'd barely made it a few steps when Luna, not willing to let things go, called after me.
"Stella, wait up," Luna called out.
"Mom, Dad, Samuel, check out Stella's new outfit. Isn't it gorgeous?" Luna said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"That's weird, Stella. Weren't you supposed to be flat broke? So where'd those fancy clothes come from?" Luna smirked.
"So where'd you get those new clothes, huh?" Luna sneered.