WARPED REMAINS

They hate me. And why wouldn’t they? I’m a screwup. A troublemaker. At least, that’s how my family feels. Even now, standing in the airport on my way out of their lives, they’re looking at me like I’m an embarrassment. The black sheep.

And I hate them for that. Those thoughts make my breath catch. Tears burn the back of my throat, but I refuse to give in to the emotions raging inside of me. I won’t give my parents the satisfaction of knowing how much they’ve hurt me. But they have. It’s like a knife has been plunged into my chest, the serrated edge tearing me apart. I lift my chin and harden my expression.

“Emily.” My father looks at me with sad eyes. “I know this is hard for you, but we love you very much.”

My mother nods in agreement. “We just feel this is a necessary step in becoming a mature young lady. It’s really best for everyone.”

“Everyone but me, you mean.” None of them will admit it, but I know they think they’ll be better off without me. Maybe they will. What do I know? I cross my arms over my chest, refusing to look at any of them a moment longer.

“Honey, please don’t be upset with us. You really didn’t leave us any choice.” Mom pats my shoulder, and I jerk away from her touch.

“Shipping me off to the middle of nowhere to live with two people who are older than dirt is not your only choice. It’s just the easiest and least messy.” I turn away from them and stare out the large window that overlooks the massive parking structure.

“Calm down, young lady.” My father’s stern face is reflected in the window, but I ignore him. “And stop being so dramatic. You’re going to Alaska, not the middle of nowhere. There are people who spend their entire lives wishing they could go there and never do.”

I roll my eyes. Like I care about people I don’t know. Why should I? No one ever cares about me, not even my parents.

“Besides, you love your grandparents,” Dad says. “Just think of this is an extended vacation.”

Scowling, I shift on my feet and avert my gaze once more.

“Em, don’t be like this.” My brother, Erik, stands beside me and gently nudges me with his shoulder. “It’s only going to be for a few weeks. Then you’ll come back home, and everything will be fine.”

“Whatever.”

Nothing will be fine ever again. I’m leaving my home, my friends, my school, my boyfriend. My heart shatters when I think of Matt and how he so carelessly dumped me the second he found out my parents were sending me away. Tears sting my eyes. My best frenemy, Ashley, is probably throwing herself at him again. She’s always wanted him, and now, thanks to my stupid parents, she’s going to get her shot.

“You’d better get going. You don’t want to be late for your flight.” Dad smiles tightly and shoves his hands into his pockets.

“Yeah, getting through security will take some time,” Mom adds as if I’ve never been through this process before.

Sighing, I sling my carry-on bag over my shoulder. I checked my bag when we arrived, so I don’t have to wrestle with trying to jam a suitcase into an overhead compartment. My mother pulls me into a hug. I keep my arms at my sides, and I’m positive I hear her sob. For a second, I think she actually cares. She really should’ve been an actress. “I love you, Emily, please don’t forget that.”