Page 77 of Riverside Reverie

“Nothing’s going on, Daddy,” Brinley said, her eyes wide with innocence. I scoffed, rolling my eyes.

“I think the girls are having some difficulties adjusting to living together again. They’ll work it out,” Mom said, sending Dad a reassuring smile.

“Really?” I demanded, looking right at my mom. She shook her head, her lips pursed like she was disappointed in me. “This right here, this is why I’m moving before I have a job. Because I’d rather start over somewhere new on my own than have to deal with this situation any longer.”

“What situation?!” Dad exclaimed, clearly confused.

“Brinley going out of her way to harm me, Mom excusing it and acting like it’s a simple misunderstanding. I’m tired of pretending everything is perfect because that’s what Mom wants. This family has serious issues and I’m done being the scapegoat.”

I pushed my chair out and took my plate to the kitchen, letting it clatter on the counter before retreating to my bedroom. From the stairwell, I could hear my mother working overtime to soothe things over and act like everything was fine.

In my bedroom, I started pacing and pulled my phone out, noticing that I had several missed text messages from both Jasmine and Theo.

Theo: Hey, checking in to make sure you got home safely.

Jasmine: How’s it going over there? Need a rescue yet?

I replied to Theo first.

I’ve arrived home safe and sound.

Pff, if I could call it that. Then I texted Jasmine, filling her in on the latest.

Jasmine: You know my family won’t mind if you crash Camellia’s party. You’re practically one of us.

Me: You know what? You’re right. I can’t be here anymore, especially after that dinner.

Jasmine: Be there in fifteen.

While I waited, I packed my large roller luggage bag with all the clothes and essentials I’d need. I’d have to come back at some point for the rest of it, but I made sure to pack enough clothes that I could go a few weeks before I needed to do that. I packed a change of clothes for tomorrow and some pajamas in my overnight bag, attaching it to the bar of my luggage bag.

My eyes burned with unshed tears as I packed, but I refused to cry. I didn’t want Brinley to catch me vulnerable.

Tucking my phone charger in the front pocket of my bag, I moved over to my bed to put my laptop away in my laptop bag. I tossed the strap over my shoulder and grabbed the handle of my luggage bag before turning toward the door and leaving.

My phone buzzed with another text from Jasmine, telling me she was waiting in the driveway for me. I descended the stairs with my things.

Dad came out into the foyer when he heard me, his eyes widening with surprise when he saw all my luggage.

“Where are you going, Lux?”

“I’m sorry, Dad. I love you, but I can’t be here anymore. I can’t handle how toxic Brinley is, or how Mom constantly excuses every shitty thing she’s done to me and expects me to act like everything’s fine and dandy. I’m done. Jasmine’s waiting for me in the driveway, I’ll be back in a couple of weeks to get the rest of my things.”

I didn’t wait for him to say anything else; I opened the door and left.

24

ONWARD AND UPWARD

Lux

“For what it’s worth, I’m proud of you, Lux.” Jasmine told me as we drove to her parents’ house. “That couldn’t have been easy, but you did it—you stood up for yourself. You set boundaries.”

“Yeah, I know,” I wiped the moisture from my cheeks.

The moment I slid into the passenger seat of Jasmine’s car, I started sobbing. She hugged me tightly for a moment, then released me to put her car in reverse and get me the heck out of there.

“Are you sure it’s okay with your parents that I’m there?”

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