Chapter 3
One time the pain was so had that I went crying to Mom, telling her that Madlen was hunting me
Hut Mom’s face turned ugly real fast.
She slapped me for the Brst time ever.
Then she said, looking so disappointed:
“Emma! You’re way too young to be lying like this!”
“Madison is such a sweet girl, and she’s always so good to you, she shares everything with you. How dare you make up stories about her?!
Madison stood there next to Mom, smirking at me,
That night, I had to kneel on the hardwood floor until morning.
All those painful memories came flooding back like a tidal wave.
I couldn’t stop shaking.
rears started streaming down my face,
No, good kids don’t cry.
Mrs. Miller always said that grown ups hate kids who aren’t well-behaved,
frantically tried wiping my tears away.
ut they just kept coming, like all the hurt I’d been holding inside.
was already being good.
o why didn’t Mom and Dad love me?
drifted along behind my parents in a daze,
watched the four of them have the time of their lives at Universal Studios.
he whole day, not one person remembered I existed.
ven when they asked random strangers to take their family photos, nobody noticed a kid was missing.
just stood there, staring at the scene.
ind suddenly I remembered that family portrait hanging in our living room-
ake sitting on Dad’s shoulders, Madison linking arms with Mom, everyone beaming with perfect smiles. And me, standing all alone at the very edge.
hung my head, feeling that familiar sadness creep in.
wanted to cry again.
But I couldn’t. If Mom and Dad found out, they’d hate me even more.
The drive home was way smoother than getting there,
We made it back pretty fast.
ake and Madison had crashed in the backseat halfway home.
I floated above them, watching Mom gently carry Madison inside while Dad piggyback-carried Jake.
The look in their eyes was so soft and loving.
So they did know how to love their kids.
They just didn’t love me.
Before going in, Mom glanced back and snapped:
“Emma, hurry up.”
I started following them out of habit.
Then halfway there, I remembered – oh right, I’m dead.
Mom can’t even see me anymore.
it the front door. Mom called out: “Emma, get the door.”
just floated there watching her.
orry Mom. Can’t help you this time.
When nobody came, Mom’s face twisted with annoyance. She looked around but didn’t see me anywhere.
Where’d that little brat disappear to now?” she hissed.
ad groaned, “Just open it already. The kids are gonna get sick.”
om fumbled for her keys and unlocked the door herself.
y then, Jake and Madison were starting to wake up.
ad flopped onto the couch, completely wiped out:
Man, I’m beat. Emma, grab me some water, will ya?”
idn’t eat anything all day. Could really go for some instant noodles right now.”
om rolled her eyes. “If you want food, make it yourself. Stop whining.”
mma! Where the hell are you? That kid’s probably hiding again!”
is was always how it went after family trips.
ke and Madison could crash and rest when they were tired. But not me.
I rested, I was being lazy.
had to get drinks, rub their feet, and cook noodles for everyone.
hose were literally the only times they’d smile at me.
ke was sprawled on the couch grinning, flipping through channels.
reaking news: the victim in today’s highway collision was just five years old…”
he reporter’s voice cut through the room.
efore anyone could process it, Jake pointed at the screen and yelled;
Holy crap! Isn’t that Emma’s gross bunny?”
