Chapter 1
I spent over 9,000 dollars to book a family trip for four.
It was supposed to be Mom, Dad, my fiancé Evan Brooks, and me.
But then, Claire Lynn, my younger sister, got dumped and started crying, saying she was heartbroken.
Mom looked at me with a troubled expression.
"There are only four spots. Maybe you two should draw for it again?" she suggested.
Before the drawing, I saw Evan slip a folded piece of paper into Claire's hand.
I kept quiet and pretended not to notice.
I picked an envelope, like we always did.
The slip inside read, [Stay.]
Claire hugged Evan, tears in her eyes.
"Evan, with you to comfort me, I'm sure I'll get over my ex," she said.
Mom announced, "The results are in. Summer, you're staying home to watch the store."
I picked up the remaining envelopes on the table and opened them one by one.
Not a single slip inside said, [Travel.] Every last one read, [Stay.]
I looked up. "You've been rigging this draw for a whole decade.
"Every year, I end up with the 'Stay' slip. Aren't you sick of playing this game yet?"
The living room fell silent.
Claire was still leaning against Evan.
Mom was the first to react.
"Summer, what do you think you're doing?" she asked.
I opened every single slip right in front of them.
They all said, [Stay.]
Dad stood up and stepped in front of Claire.
He said, "The draw's already over. Why are you still opening the other envelopes?
"You lost, so accept it. Don't make a scene and drag everyone down because you didn't get picked."
"No matter which one I pick, I'll lose, and you tell me to accept it? Seriously?" I retorted.
Dad avoided my eyes and began picking up the slips.
"It's your bad luck. Don't blame the rest of us," he said.
Mom chimed in, "Maybe I mixed up the slips when I was getting them ready.
"Claire's been heartbroken and crying for days. It's not often she wants to go out. Can't you, as her sister, let her have this trip for once?"
I almost laughed out loud.
I shot back, "For once?
"When I was eighteen and graduated from high school, you said the store couldn't be left unattended, so we drew lots. Claire got to go to the beach, and I was left behind to mind the store.
"When I got my college acceptance letter, you said we'd go see the snow-capped mountains. I drew the 'Stay' slip again, and Claire went instead.
"Then came your silver wedding anniversary, your first trip abroad, and that New Year's trip to the south. Did I get to go instead of Claire?"
Claire pulled away from Evan.
Her eyes were still red as she whispered, "Summer, I had no idea all the slips on the table were 'Stay' ones.
"Evan handed me one before the draw because he was worried I wouldn't pick the right one.
"If you want to blame someone, blame me. Please leave Mom and Dad out of it."
Evan frowned. "I was the one who handed her the slip.
"She's been a mess lately, and I didn't want her to get hurt again."
"So you knew the draw was rigged," I said.
He paused. "I just wanted her to get some fresh air and take her mind off things.
"You'll have tons of chances later. Once we're married, the two of us can travel anywhere we want."
Mom jumped in right away. "Did you hear that? Evan already promised to make it up to you.
"Claire's only got this one heartbreak, but you and Evan have your whole lives together. Are you really going to get hung up on this right now?"
Everyone was talking over me, crowding me in.
Claire was upset, so cheating was suddenly their way of "taking care of her."
And when I called them out for cheating, I became the heartless one.
I pulled out my phone and opened the travel booking.
I was the one who booked this whole trip.
Flights, hotel, transfers, and some activities altogether cost me 9,530 dollars.
The list wouldn't be locked until midnight tonight.
If I canceled the whole thing now, I'd only lose a few hundred dollars in fees.
Mom saw me open the booking and quickly asked, "What are you doing?"
I tapped the refund button, and the confirmation popped up on my screen.
"Since I'm not going, why should I pay for it?" I said.
Dad slammed his hand on the table.
"Have you lost your mind? We all agreed on this, and now you cancel it without asking?
"Claire finally managed to pull herself together and decided to go out, and now you want to make her lock herself in her room and cry again?" he snapped.
Claire buried her face in her hands and broke down in tears.
Evan went over to soothe Claire. "Don't worry. I'll book the whole thing again for you."
Mom pulled Claire into her arms and glared at me. "Look at Claire. She's crying her eyes out. Are you happy now?"
They all rushed to Claire's side.
Like always, I was pushed aside. Nobody cared or looked my way.
The "refund successful" notification popped up on my screen.
I put my phone away.
"If you want to go, you can book it yourselves," I said.