Summer: “They’re probably not going to be in a
good mood, so be invisible.”
“How did Amy die?”
“Car crash.”
When I got home, I hid all the clothes that Olivia
made me wear.
Because they looked like something Amy would
wear.
I couldn’t listen to Olivia either.
On the anniversary, the family would drive to
the cemetery.
The pressure was getting to me.
They weren’t taking me with them.
Olivia ordered, “Don’t leave the house, got it?”
“Got it.”
Olivia: “If you’re bored, you can invite a friend
over.”
“Can Summer come?”
<
Arthur: “As long as you stay here, she can
come.”
12
Summer arrived.
She flopped onto the couch, “It’s so different
being a guest compared to living here.”
“I think it’s okay living here,” I said.
Summer’s eyes widened, “Are you serious?”
I nodded.
Summer looked around to see if anyone was
listening.
The maids weren’t around.
She lowered her voice. “Let’s go to your room.”
<
When we got to my room, Summer said in a
normal voice, “That was close! I thought
someone was listening.”
“Huh?”
Summer ignored me. “Jane, I have to ask. If you
could go to another family, would you?”
“Why are you asking that?”
“The Petersons know a lot of people, and some
of them lost kids. So, they’re always looking for
someone to adopt. If you’re not happy, my
parents can help.”
I thought for a second. “Don’t worry about me.
I’m fine with the Chiangs.”
Just then, my phone rang.
It was Olivia.
<
13
Olivia said, “I need you to find something. It’s
something that Amy was really proud of. It’s a
certificate from a piano competition. We’re
going to take it with us, but we forgot it. It’s in
David’s study. Find it, then a driver will pick it
- up. Got it?”
“Okay, I’ll go look for it.”
“I gotta go.” Olivia said, but mumbled, “Where
did David run off to? He’s such a pain.”
Summer and I went to the study and searched
for a while before finding the certificate.
I was a little sweaty, so I sat down to rest.
Summer looked concerned. “Jane, do you think
the Chiangs are a little… much?”
I blinked. “They don’t hit me.”
<
Plus, I could use my allowance to buy manga.
That was different from the family I stayed with
before the orphanage.
I didn’t have to worry about being dragged out
from under the bed and having my head.
slammed against the bed frame.
I wouldn’t get ashes dropped on me.
And I wouldn’t get a bucket of cold water
dumped on me in the dead of winter.
“That’s it. I’m done. I’m going to tell the
Petersons what’s been happening.” Summer
said, a newfound rage burning in her eyes.
“Summer wait, you really don’t need to go out
of your way.” I said.
“Are you kidding me? I’m calling dad right.
now.”
I told her about it.
Summer froze.
This was the first time I’d mentioned anything
about my life before the orphanage.
Since I got to the orphanage, I changed my last
name to the director’s, and even changed my
first name so that I could be the “new me“.
This meant I was able to leave my old self and
past behind me.
I patted her hand. “See? I’m doing fine here.
Sure, they say some mean things…”
But I just tune them out.
David said that I’m as good as dead, so I don’t
need to worry about things getting worse.
“I’d rather be here than getting beat up, right?”
I wasn’t trying to brush Summer off.
I could practice plano until dawn. It didn’t
bother me.
The drawing in the trash? Who cares. I could
always draw another one.
Even getting sent to the attic wasn’t that bad.
It was dark, but nothing was going to kill me.
Compared to the worst things in the past,
things were good.
I wanted to stay.
But I couldn’t understand why Summer looked
so sad.
Her lips were trembling like she wanted to say
something but couldn’t.
<
After a long silence, she burst into tears.
“It shouldn’t be like this,” Summer said, tears
streaming down her face. “Everyone deserves
to have feelings. You deserve to be happy when
someone cares about you, and to be sad when
someone hurts you. It’s okay to want love.
Maybe it’s a gamble, but your feelings shouldn’t
be ignored.”
My feelings?
My heart started pounding.
