- 3.
Back at home, the facial recognition wouldn’t
work.
I had to pound on the door.
く
The cut on my arm started to hurt.
No one answered.
Finally, Mom, Dad, and Tiffany pulled up in a
fancy car.
They were well–dressed and laughing.
I was covered in dirt, a mess.
It was quiet for a moment.
As the door closed behind them, a teacup hit
me in the face.
I turned, but it still hit me.
Warm liquid ran down my face.
<
The door closed off the outside world.
Dad didn’t hide his anger.
“Really? I blocked you, but you still came
back!”
“Who did you use to pull strings?”
“When will you two be as good as Tiffany,
and give me some peace?!”
I covered the cut on my head and laughed.
If I were as good as they said, I would have
thrown them and Tiffany in the riot!
I would have given them the taste of despair!
If I were good. Ashley wouldn’t be dead.
<
They knew Tiffany was safe, but they pulled
strings to get her home fast and spent money
to celebrate her.
Ashley and I were in Cambodia, we just
wanted tickets home, but they canceled them!
Ashley was gone.
I didn’t want anything to do with them.
“Brooke, are you okay?”
Tiffany looked worried.
She said she cared, but she “accidentally”
touched my cut, pressing down hard.
I yelled, and slapped her hand away.
L
Tiffany stumbled and fell to the ground,
crying.
“I know I’m not as good as you and Ashley,”
she said.
“I know you hate me, but I just want us to be
a happy family.”
“I can’t…I can’t breathe.”
She clutched her chest, like she was going to
pass out.
But I saw her smile.
Mom dropped the tissues she had and ran to
Tiffany.
く
She helped her breathe, then yelled at me.
“Tiffany was just trying to help you, and you
do this!”
“Ungrateful kid!”
“Go to your room!”
