Page 57 of The Chemistry of Us

Shit.

Seeing him.

Tears streamed down my cheeks.

Just seeing him on my birthday and assuming a party was for me… realizing it wasn’t was hurtful, but whatever, then having to deal with her parading me around like a perfect little trophy.

“Isn’t she gorgeous?”

“So talented!”

“So smart!”

“You’re such a gem for officially adopting her. We need more people like you in this world. Here, I wasn’t going to donate this much, but ten grand seems like nothing compared to what you’ve sacrificed to raise someone who isn’t even yours!”

Cue the laughter.

Cue the painful smile on my birthday.

I was the sacrifice.

I was the burden.

I’d always been the burden.

Until someone told me I was their person, only to rip my heart out days later. I was his, and he was mine, and now all I had were reminders.

Was it so wrong to just want one moment? I wanted one minute of truth, when someone looked me in the eyes like I mattered and said hey, good job on powering through another year. Was it selfish? Should I feel guilty for wanting that for myself?

“Tru?” Vaughan's voice cracked. “Tru, I forgot. I’m sorry. I forgot.”

I squeezed my eyes shut as one solitary tear finally slid down my cheek. “I’m used to being forgotten, Vaughan. It’s okay.”

But it wasn’t.

It was just…my reality.

My life.

“Tru—”

“I’m headed to bed. Enjoy your party.”

Not mine.

His.

The irony wasn’t lost on me as I stripped and tucked myself in bed only to stare at the wall and wonder what the point was in being strong all the time.

I sighed. Being weak wouldn’t make things better so strong it was. Power through. Graduate. Make a life. Create something you were never given the opportunity to have.

Right.

Easy.

Just like falling asleep.

Hope.

---