Chapter 2

2: 2

By nightfall the wind was seeping in.

I was cold all over.

A shiver ran through me before I could stop it.

Somehow, without realizing it, I drifted off to sleep.

When I woke, it was a woman's voice that jolted me awake.

"Daphne, what are you doing crouching out here?"

My eyes flew open.

Mom and the others were back.

My parents stood in the doorway, and behind them my brother, his face like thunder.

The whole family looked travel-worn.

Not one of them wore a pleasant expression.

A flicker of confusion crossed my face, and I explained in a small voice,

"I—I don't have a key... I could only wait for you out here."

Just then, on instinct, I glanced at my watch.

A little past eleven at night.

But hadn't they said they weren't coming home tonight?

All at once, a thread of hope shot up in my chest.

Could it be they'd remembered it was my birthday, and changed their plans on the spot?

The thought alone made me hold my breath.

"No key? You couldn't have stayed at a classmate's for one night?"

Mom's brows were knotted tight, her voice thick with impatience.

"You've been squatting out here half the night. What are the neighbors going to think of me?"

"Are you doing this on purpose, so people talk and make a joke out of this family?"

The scolding left me stunned.

My heart felt like it had been squeezed hard.

So they'd come back early not because they'd thought of me after all...

I lowered my head, my voice thin as a mosquito's whine.

"I'm sorry... Mom."

Dad had long since run out of patience.

He blocked Mom and spoke in an irritated tone.

"Enough, get inside first! Don't argue in the stairwell. What if someone hears?"

"Today's been unlucky enough already!"

I forced myself up and followed close behind them.

The moment we stepped inside, my brother couldn't hold it in anymore and burst into loud, open-mouthed sobs.

Mom stepped up and soothed him with great care.

"Don't cry, Clyde Simmons, it's all Mom's fault."

"All Mom's fault for not checking the weather before booking the tickets."

Clyde shoved her away, wailing and throwing a tantrum.

"What good does saying that do now? The camp's already started!"

"All my classmates went abroad, and I'm the only one who couldn't go!"

Dad's face was tight, the very picture of heartache.

"Clyde, stop this nonsense!"

"Do you have any idea? The camp fee isn't refundable. This family just lost thousands for nothing!"

But Clyde wasn't listening at all, his face smeared with tears and snot.

"I don't care, I don't care!"

"I want to go to camp! I want to go!"

Mom hugged him tight, aching for him, coaxing him over and over.

"Okay, okay, okay, whatever our baby wants."

"Mom will find you another camp, and I'll make sure you get to go, all right?"

Only once he had his guarantee did Clyde slowly stop crying.

The three of them settled back into their cozy little unit.

Only I stood off alone in the corner.

Like an outsider who didn't belong.

Not one of them asked if I was cold, or if I was hungry.

And no one remembered that today was my birthday.

In that moment, all at once, I felt tired.

After the whole long ordeal, Clyde's stomach was empty.

He ordered me around as if it were the most natural thing.

"Daphne, I'm hungry! Go make me some noodles."

I was worn out, body and soul.

There wasn't an ounce of strength left in me.

Seeing that I didn't move, Clyde flew into a temper in an instant.

"What are you standing there for? Can't you hear me? I'm hungry!"

"I'm not feeling well. Go make it yourself."

That set him off completely.

He grabbed hold of Mom, pointing at me to tattle.

"Mom, look at her!"

"She's ignoring me on purpose!"

Mom shot me a glare and, without hearing a word of it out, snapped,

"Daphne, I haven't even settled the score with you for earlier, and now you're getting more and more out of line?"

I was silent for a moment, then said quietly,

"Mom, do you know what day it is today?"

Mom looked blank.

"What day?"

Beside her, Dad seemed to remember something and gave a gentle reminder.

"I think it's Daphne's birthday..."

Mom froze for a second, then argued back stubbornly.

"With everything going on at home today, isn't it perfectly normal to forget?"

"Fine, I'll take you out for a meal tomorrow."

I gave a bitter little laugh at myself.

"Mom, last month was Clyde's birthday."

"You didn't just book him a big seafood feast, you bought him a limited-edition Lego set for eight thousand as a present..."

The moment the words were out, Mom's face changed on the spot.

"You've got some nerve, Daphne! You dare hold a grudge against your own brother now?"