Chapter 1

After I placed first in the state and became valedictorian, my parents threw a college acceptance party for my sister.

The banner strung across the party read, "Thank you, Eudora Simmons, for giving up your spot so your sister could go."

Relatives and family friends crowded around Eudora, praise pouring out on every side. "Eudora really is such a good girl, giving up her chance at college for her sister."

Eudora accepted it gladly. "It would be too much for Mom and Dad to put both of us through school at once."

The truth had nothing to do with sparing our parents the burden. She'd gotten into trouble at school and been expelled.

Watching them all cluster around Eudora with their toasts, I sat alone in the corner, chewing on a dinner roll.

After the party ended, my father called me over. "Your hundred-thousand-dollar scholarship goes to your sister."

"No. That scholarship is mine. That's for my education."

My mother flared up the moment she heard it. "You're on a tuition-free teaching scholarship. What tuition do you even have to pay?"

I froze, then shot up off the couch. "Mom, I applied to Harvard and Stanford. How did that turn into a tuition-free teaching scholarship?"

...

Once the question was out, I kept my eyes fixed on her, waiting for an answer.

She tossed the clothes in her hands aside, impatience all over her face. "What good is a place at Harvard or Stanford? A tuition-free teaching scholarship is a great deal. No cost, plus a living stipend. You should be grateful."

"Now hurry up and hand over your bank card. Your sister's still waiting to register at her arts school."

She reached over as she spoke, trying to search me.

I dodged and pushed back. "Mom, I could have gone to Harvard or Stanford. Why did you secretly change my applications?"

"I'm changing it back."

I turned and headed straight for the computer.

My father's hand shot out and grabbed me. "Enough, Daphne Simmons. Tuition-free teaching scholarship or Harvard, once you graduate you're a college grad either way."

His grip was strong, and his fingers on my wrist hurt.

I fought against him with everything I had, because I knew this was my last chance to get out of here.

"Dad, I'm begging you, let me change the applications back. Harvard and Stanford are my dream, I want to go, I won't use any of the family's money, I have the scholarship, I can work part-time too."

I couldn't pry his hand loose, so all I could do was beg him through my tears.

But he had no intention of letting go.

"Daphne, we're your parents, do you really think we'd hurt you? It wasn't easy for your mother and me to raise you two. Dora's been so understanding, giving up college for you. Shouldn't you be a little understanding too?"

He was using Eudora's not going to school against me again, hammering that same point, that she'd given up her chance so I could have mine.

I couldn't stand it. "She didn't give up her chance for me. The truth is she—"

"Oh, come on, sis, Mom and Dad really do have our best interests at heart. Think about it, Harvard and Stanford are so far away, so far from home, but the teaching scholarship is right here in town, close by. Whenever we miss you, we can come see you anytime."

Eudora walked out of her room with a face mask on. Her words always landed straight in our parents' hearts.

Mom went to her side and took her hand, tender with affection. When her eyes swung back to me, they were full of nothing but distaste.

"Daphne, you're the older sister, born a full twelve minutes before Eudora. Why aren't you half as understanding as she is?"

She had already crossed the room to me as she said it, and she raised her hand and slapped me across the face.

My father made a show of stepping in to break it up, but his words chilled me just the same.

"Your mother and I aren't playing favorites. It's just that you've got a hotter temper, so we've been a little stricter with you. We hope you can understand we mean well."

"These days everyone throws a college acceptance party. You got yours, just like you wanted. Now stay home and get yourself ready for school."

The college acceptance party. All I could do was laugh.