Chapter 1
My parents stepped out of the elevator, dragging their luggage behind them.
I had just gotten home after a twelve-hour shift at my part-time job.
The moment they caught sight of me, Mom visibly froze for a second before squeezing out a fake smile.
She said, "Oh, your dad, Charlotte, and I are going abroad for a few days. Forgot to tell you."
She paused, then added, "Just book the next flight and catch up with us."
I was still standing there, not even getting a word out yet.
Dad shot me a look, and said, "Since you're here, help us get the luggage to the car."
The car window rolled down, revealing Charlotte, my elder sister, in a designer dress I couldn't afford even if I worked for a whole year.
Smiling, she urged, "Mom, Dad, hurry up! If we're late, we'll miss our first-class flight!"
The car door slammed shut and they left me in the dust, without so much as a backward glance.
Late that night, I sat alone in the living room.
A premium pet boarding receipt lay carelessly tossed on the coffee table.
It was in Mom's handwriting, covered in dense instructions on how to care for the dog.
I let out a self-mocking laugh.
Even for a dog, they had thought of everything. Yet somehow, I was the only one they forgot.
They completely forgot that I didn't even have a passport.
How am I supposed to go on a trip abroad?
Just before dawn, I stood up stiffly, packed my things into a suitcase item by item, and left the house.
Since I'm always the one who gets forgotten, then starting today, I'll just forget about them too.
*****
On the fifth day after moving into my new apartment, I got a call from Mom.
It was an afternoon.
I had just finished assembling a simple wardrobe I got from the secondhand market.
I picked up, but before I could even say hello, Mom's angry tirade hit me.
She roared, "Emily, what is your problem? It's been days. Why aren't you here yet? What kind of tantrum are you throwing?
"Do you realize, because you didn't come, no one was here to help with our luggage?
"Charlotte's hands are all red and raw from carrying her bags, and your dad and I threw our backs out. If you had just gotten here earlier, none of this would have happened. You caused all of this."
Hearing her interrogate me so righteously, I suddenly found it kind of funny.
"I can't go. I don't have a passport," I said flatly.
The other end of the line went dead silent for a second.
She sounded stunned. "What did you say?"
"I said, I don't have a passport," I repeated.
My voice was perfectly calm. "I can't leave the country, I can't buy a plane ticket, I can't clear customs, and I definitely can't come find you."
There was a flurry of rustling sounds on the other end.
Then Charlotte's voice came through, sounding close to tears.
She said, "Emily, I'm so sorry. It's all my fault. I forgot to tell you. That day when we went to apply for our passports together..."
Before she could finish, Dad cut her off.
He snarled, "What is your problem? Your sister has always been frail, and this trip was supposed to be a relaxing vacation for her. Do you have to ruin it for everyone?"
I said, "I'm not trying to cause trouble. I just can't go."
Mom chimed in again. "What do you mean you can't go? You're just throwing a tantrum, aren't you?
"Is it because we didn't hug you when you showed up? Why are you being so unreasonable? Would it really hurt you to come a day late?"
Dad grabbed the phone, sounding annoyed. "Alright, enough. Just buy a ticket and fly out here. Don't make Charlotte cry. You're ruining her whole vibe.
"And when you get here, make sure you apologize to Charlotte."
Beep.
The line went dead.
I stared at the dark screen. The call log showed it had lasted three minutes and forty-two seconds.
Three minutes and forty-two seconds.
Not a single person asked where I was, if I had eaten, or if I had any money.
I wanted to cry.
But there were no tears.
It was strange, but I couldn't shed a single tear.