“I love you, too.” He sniffles.
Gary has lost his patience. “That’s enough, dammit. If you’re going to leave, get the hell out.”
My teeth grind together as I bite back the words I want to sayto him. They would be useless and would only give him what he needs to justify his actions. Not that it takes much to set him off these days.
I won’t give him that satisfaction.
I shake off the anger and step away from the doorway. Walking toward the small passenger bus, my eyes fall on the name stamped on the side in bold, gothic script.SOVEREIGNKING’SUNIVERSITY. This is it. My chance to make something of myself for both our sakes. Momma would have wanted it that way.
When I reach the end of the driveway, the driver is waiting by the luggage compartment. He’s a tall Black man with streaks of gray peppered throughout his hair, reminding me of my late grandfather. He smiles at me, but I can’t find the strength to return the gesture. Thankfully, he doesn’t seem to be bothered by it. I allow him to take my luggage, and I sling my small backpack over my shoulder before climbing the steps of the bus.
It’s empty except for two other students. One is in the first seat with her eyes glued to the book in her hand. The other is in the middle with his head up against the window. Both are in their own world, hiding within themselves from everything around them. A behavior I know too well.
As I move through the aisle, I can’t help but wonder what brings them to SKU. Did they also miraculously receive a scholarship to the most prestigious university in the county?
The guy glances at me and smiles. “Hey. I’m Xavier.”
I tip my chin. “Sam.”
“You transferring in, too?”
I nod.
“Cool. Maybe I’ll see you around.”
I don’t bother answering. He’s being nice, making small talk so that the twenty-minute ride across town isn’t so awkward.And it’s nothing against him. I’m just not interested in making friends, even with cute guys with freshly styled locs and warm eyes.
I settle in and peer out the window as the bus pulls away. Before long, all the houses with overgrown sidewalks and assorted trash on their lawns whisk by until there’s nothing but open roads and fields of grass. Still focused on the world outside, my mind wanders, thinking about these past eight years of pain and neglect. And for what? Because my mother fell in love with a man who turned out to be nothing more than a nightmare?
One day she decided death was better than living another moment with him.
That same day, I was forced to grow up before I was ready. To become a parent to a child who wasn’t mine. I’ve spent most of my life trying to convince myself things weren’t as bad as they were. But none of that matters now.
This isn’t the time to dwell on the past. I may be arriving at SKU a semester behind, given that my initial scholarship application was denied, but I’ll bust my ass and prove that I deserve to be there. Scholarship or not. The only thing that matters is moving forward… and then doing everything in my power to get my brother out.
CHAPTER TWO
SAM
The ride to SKU is quiet. Peaceful. Something I’m not used to. The sounds of Melanie Martinez flow through my headphones, and I let myself zone out while listening to the lyrics.
Opening the messaging app, I tap on a thread with my best friend. The first friend I made when we moved in with Gary. We were eleven at the time, and when none of the other kids could be bothered to talk to me, Evan swooped in. He’s always had my back from day one, and when Mom died, Evan helped me through. Now we’ll be worlds apart.
Sam:I’m going to miss you, bestie.
I hit send, and a second later, he replies.
Evan:I know.
I laugh.
Evan:Love you, babes. And remember, you’re a badass.
A smile parts my lips, his words speaking life into me. As we pulloff the main road, the entrance to the university looms up ahead. I sit up straighter, my heart pounding as I take in my surroundings. Students walk along the sidewalk, some with backpacks, others carrying books. A group of girls stands near the fountain laughing.
I imagine myself there with them, getting to live my life the way I want to—the way I deserve to.
The bus comes to a stop, and we get off to gather our things. The driver hands me my two suitcases and duffel.
