The Price Of Favoritism

Synopsis

With a single phone call, my mother has my bank account frozen. Locked inside is my tuition for next semester and the seven thousand dollars I just won from a national design competition. Five minutes later, she drops a message in our family group chat. [Emily, I know you failed your driving test for the third time, but safety first. I got you a Volvo, honey. Take your time practicing. No need to rush.] The photo shows my sister, Emily Lane, beaming at a dealership, clutching a massive bouquet as she leans against a brand-new Volvo XC60. My aunt was the first to reply: [Wow! So generous! Emily is one lucky girl!] My father followed up with a thumbs-up emoji: [Our Emily deserves the best.] I stare at my phone, my fingertips turning to ice. I pulled three months of all-nighters for that prize money. It is supposed to cover my tuition, with enough left over to finally get my grandfather a decent hearing aid. Now, it is just a down payment on my sister's new toy. I open the group chat and post a screenshot of my tuition bill. [Mom, school starts next week. I'm still short five grand for tuition.] [You froze my account. How am I supposed to pay?] They think they have me backed into a corner. But they never imagine that at Emily's engagement party, I will be the one holding all the cards. I will flash my full-ride acceptance letter to Cornell, and that will be the only clapback I ever need.