Chapter 8
Day 7, Mason showed up at camp out of nowhere.]
Designer suit in a sea of camp uniforms–guy stood out like a neon sign.[]}]
“What are you doing here?” I was at target practice.[]
“Came to see you.” He handed me a water bottle.[]
“Don’t bother.“]
“Raven,” he frowned, “about Labor Day…“]
“Your perfect little family gathering looked great.” I kept aiming.]
“We didn’t mean to leave you out. Savannah said you were at camp and we shouldn’t bother you.”
BAM!
pulled the trigger, hit the bullseye dead center.
“Oh, how thoughtful of her.“]
I set down the rifle. “Anything else?”
“Mom and Dad sent stuff for you.” He pointed at a huge bag nearby.
I glanced at it: “No need.“]]
“RAVEN!” He was getting pissed. “Can you quit being so stubborn?“]
“I’m not being stubborn.“]]
I turned to face him.[]
“Mason, you know what’s really pathetic?“]
“What?“]}
“You guys obviously don’t give a crap about me, but you keep pretending you do.”
“Why bother?”
His face went dark: “Who says we don’t care?”
.^N.
“No me in the Labor Day family photo. No me at the birthday party. Treated like I don’t exist in group chats.”
I counted them off. “That’s caring?“[]
He went speechless.
e.“]
I turned back to target practice. “Go home. Stop bothering me.”
He stood there forever before finally leaving without a word[]
That big bag? I didn’t even look at it.
That night, Savannah texted:
[Raven, Mason said he visited you! Are you okay?]
[None of your business.]]
[Raven, I’m seriously worried about you. During Labor Day, I actually wanted to invite you home, but I thought you were working so hard at camp, I didn’t want to disturb you.]]
[Min–hmm.]]
Raven, are you mad at me?]]]
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I ignored her.
But she kept going: [Raven, Mom and Dad really miss you. Mom made your favorite BBQ ribs that day and saved you a plate.]]
[Raven?]
[Raven why aren’t you answering me?]]]
I blocked her ass.
Last day of orientation, parents could come pick up their kids.[]
Parking lot full of luxury cars, parents with flowers and gifts waiting.[]
I grabbed my bag, planning to take the bus back to campus.[]
“Raven
I turned around. Mom standing next to a Mercedes.[]
“Mommy’s here to pick you up.” She walked over smiling.
I paused: “Thought you had to take Savannah to her checkup?”
Her face went awkward: “We moved that to tomorrow.“]
Oh, so she rescheduled just to pick me up?]
I wasn’t buying it.[]
Sure enough, I got in the car and there was Savannah in the back seat.]
She looked annoyed: “Mom, didn’t we say we were going shopping?”
“Getting your sister first.” Mom said.
“But…”
“Savannah.” Mom’s tone got sharp.[
Savannah pouted and shut up.
So it wasn’t a special trip for me. Just convenient timing.
I leaned against the window and closed my eyes.[]
“Raven,” Savannah suddenly spoke, “you got really tan.”
an.“[]
T
作
I ignored her.
“But that’s okay, I’ve got this amazing whitening serum. I’ll give you some when we get home.”
“No need.“]]
“Don’t be shy!” She smiled sweet as candy. “We’re family.“[]
Family:
That word coming from her mouth was hilarious.[]
When we got to campus, I hopped out and walked straight to the gates.
Mom called after me: “Raven, come home for dinner tonight! Dad says he misses you!“]
“Not coming.”
“But…
I didn’t wait for her to finish, just walked through the gates.
Behind me, I heard Savannah: “Mom, Raven doesn’t seem to like us very much.“[]
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Yeah, I really didn’t.]]
Didn’t like their fake concern, their obvious favoritism, and especially didn’t like them treating me like an idiot.]
The day I got back from orientation camp, a package arrived for me.[]
Sender: Savannah.][]
Inside was a voice recorder.[]
Plus a note: [Raven, listen to this. You’re gonna love it.]]]
