Chapter 2

I had just finished submitting my applications at school when my phone rang.

"What did you even apply for?" my relative said. "Your choices were way too risky. Good thing your mom talked to me—I went ahead and fixed them for you. Don't worry, Lily. Just wait—you'll be in college soon."

My gut dropped. I logged in to check and realized not only had he changed my applications—he'd also changed my login password.

I was shaking with rage. I had warned her. I'd made myself crystal clear. And yet she still refused to leave me alone.

When I demanded the password from my relative, he brushed it off. "They're all solid technical schools. Relax. Your mom approved everything. We wouldn't screw you over."

Relax? How was I supposed to relax?

I knew these relatives all too well. Every single one of them was an expert at making things worse.

Because of him, my cousin—who could've gotten into a four-year university—ended up following his son to the worst trade school imaginable.

The moment I saw my updated applications, my hands started shaking. All the four-year universities I'd carefully chosen were gone. They'd been replaced with low-tier trade and vocational programs.

Luckily, it still wasn't too late.

I swallowed my anger and rushed home to confront my mother. "How could you let them mess with my college applications? Didn't I tell you not to make more trouble for me? Do I only make you happy if I don't go to college?"

She lowered her head, wiping at imaginary tears and playing the victim. "They're family. They're not outsiders. I was just worried you didn't have enough experience, so I asked them to guide you a little.

"When have I ever hurt you? I just don't want you growing up envying others for having practical skills."

I was so angry I felt like I was about to lose my mind. Those relatives barely finished elementary school—what experience were they supposed to have?

What was wrong with a good four-year university? Why would I ever envy community college or trade school? What did she take me for—someone with no self-respect at all?

My mother kept arguing, sticking stubbornly to her own logic. Everyone else's advice? She treated it like nonsense.

I didn't want to waste more breath on her, so I warned her flat out. "From now on, stay out of my business. Don't ask, don't interfere. Got it? You just make trouble for me. Can't you understand?"

Before I could finish, Lucas came running and kicked me down. "You've got some nerve! Who talks to Mom like that?

"What do you mean she doesn't understand? She's only doing this for you. With your lousy grades, what else would you even apply for? Community college, that's it."

David joined in, nodding. "Exactly, Lily. Your mom's looking out for you, and you can't even appreciate it?"

I hit the floor hard. Pain shot through me like fire, and cold sweat poured down my back. No one offered a hand to help me up—they all just stood there, high and mighty, lecturing me.

After a while, I caught my breath and stared at them. Watching them all line up against me, acting so righteous, was almost laughable.

My mother had always been stubborn, deliberately doing the opposite of what people told her. But she wasn't out to get me personally.

Before, I had cleaned up her messes for her. This time, I wasn't going to. I wanted to see how this would all play out.

The most important thing right now was to keep them calm.

I swallowed my anger and faked an apology. "I'm sorry, Mom. I didn't understand your intentions. I know you only want what's best for me. You've got way more life experience than I do. I'm sure you have your reasons."

My mother forgave me. We patched things up, the family shared a happy meal, and everyone seemed satisfied.

I hoped they'd stay glued to my mother and her drama forever. They totally deserve each other.

*****

Once my college applications were sorted, I retreated to my room—the study—and started streaming to make money. Because my mother wasn't going to cover my tuition or living expenses.

To avoid interruptions, I locked my door.

But my mother wouldn't let it go. She started pounding on my door, loud and relentless. "Lily, want some fruit?"

I shot back, "No. I'm allergic."

But she acted like she hadn't heard a word and kept knocking. "You're lucky—Lucas didn't finish his mango at breakfast. Come out and have some."

Yeah, right. Didn't finish. Like I didn't know better. It was just a gnawed mango pit with a bit of pulp left on it.

I shouted through the door, "I said no! I'm allergic to mango. Are you trying to kill me?"

She went on anyway. "I didn't even eat it myself. I saved it all for you, Lily..."

Talking to her was like talking to a wall. She carried on outside my door all day, rambling like nothing was wrong.

David, fed up with all her racket, came over and kicked the door. Standing outside, he yelled, "Lily! Is it really going to kill you to open the door? Your mom's worried about you. Would one bite kill you? Who do you think you're hiding from?"

Worried about me? If she didn't kill me, that already counted as mercy.

The more I told my mother not to do something, the harder she doubled down. It was basically her personal obedience test.

I snorted and opened the door. "Can you stop bothering me? I'm streaming. If I don't make money, are you going to cover it for me?"

"Me? With what money?" David snapped back. "All my money is for Lucas. Don't you even think about it."

He rubbed his head impatiently. "I know you're under a lot of pressure. But your mom went out of her way to fix you some fruit. And this is how you treat her? Your attitude's awful."

"She did it for me? Give me a break with the guilt trip," I shot back.

My mother shoved the messy mango pit toward my mouth, her voice suddenly soft and sugary. "Come on, Lily. Eat it. It's really sweet. I saved it just for you—to help you get your nutrients."

The smell of mango hit me, and for a split second, it felt like I could see my great-grandmother waving at me from the other side. "Thanks, Mom. Mango's my favorite."

I forced a smile and took the plate from my mother's hands.

The moment I shut the door, I tossed the whole thing straight into the trash with no hesitation.