Chapter 2
“Ashley, chill!”
Brandon cut her off.
I didn’t know why she was so angry all of a
sudden.
Why couldn’t I wear someone else’s hand-
me–downs?
In the mental hospital, they were wearing the
clothes from the deceased.
And, wasn’t it them who told those people to
do the things they did?
<
Why was she acting like I deserved better all
of a sudden?
Brandon looked like he’d done something
wrong, and his eyes were red.
“I–I was just trying to be nice, okay?”
Ashley finally lost it.
She turned and pointed at me.
“Why did you come back?
It’s all your fault!
Brandon’s always unhappy because of you!”
Everyone started comforting Brandon, while
insulting me.
Just like it had been for five years.
I never knew what I’d done wrong, why I was
always being blamed.
But now I did.
There was no right or wrong.
It was just because I wasn’t someone they
cared about.
L
.
Emily was there to go wedding dress
shopping with Brandon.
They’d been engaged for five years.
Mom looked at me, worried I’d be upset.
I laughed.
Someone who’d been through the mud wasn’t
going to start thinking they could have that shiny swan.
I watched them leave, but Emily suddenly turned around.
“It might be a little awkward for Brandon to
do it on his own.
Could you help him drive?”
She stared at me intently, trying to see
something in my eyes.
I paused, wasn’t she sick of me bothering
her?
I remembered how many times she’d
encouraged me, how I’d get rejected, then
she’d show me something that would give me
hope.
I’d always get the wrong idea, like Emily
wanted me.
But it had just been in my head!
“Oh yeah, Ryan, I remember you play the
piano really well.
Could you perform at the wedding?”
Brandon looked at me innocently, like he
wanted my blessing.
But I saw the warning in his eyes.
Because he’d been the one who broke my
hands five years ago.
I could still feel the pain.
But everyone thought I deserved it.
I glanced at the others.
They were waiting for my answer.
Did I even have a choice?
If I said yes, they’d say I had bad intentions.
く
If I said no, they’d say I wasn’t being good
and send me back to the hospital.
Whatever I did was wrong.
My life seemed like one big mistake.
I didn’t answer.
In the end, Mom sensed what I was going
through and got me out of there.
Before I left, I told them sincerely:
“I’m happy for you.
Congratulations!”
So, please, just leave me alone!
For some reason, Emily’s face turned even
darker.
But so what?
From now on, her stuff wasn’t my top priority.
- 9.
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