Swap Lives with My Sister - Chapter 3

The SATS arrived.

I scored a solid 1500, no sweat. My parents, seeing my score, suggested I apply to the same college as Sarah. The implication was clear: they wanted me to help her graduate.

Last time, I fought them. It was pointless. Even though I guarded my application like a hawk, they managed to change my choice at the last minute.

Dad was a software engineer. I was no match for him in that arena. So, this time… I agreed. I wasn’t strong enough to fight.

Dad, perhaps feeling a twinge of guilt, gave me a debit card.

$3,000.

He told me not to tell Mom or Sarah. To buy something nice for myself. But Dad… Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice… Freshman year, winter break.

Sarah had already blown through her travel money. I changed my train ticket to a standing- room–only car, figuring we’d travel home together.

Sarah refused.

She hated the smell, the crowds. She stayed on campus. Lied to our parents, claiming her professor had asked her to stay for a special project.

My high–and–mighty sister.

No skills, all ego. She didn’t want our parents to think she was useless and irresponsible. She didn’t want her friends to know she was DONE.

So she pretended. And her charade ended up punishing me. She spent five days washing dishes at a diner, earning enough for a train ticket home.

But those five days cost her the chance to buy a ticket during peak booking season. By the time she realized, it was New Year’s Eve.

She called home, sobbing.

“It’s so cold! They turned off the heat and water in the dorms! Mom, Dad, I’m scared!”

My parents finally understood. They called me, demanding an explanation. I told them the truth. This time, Dad exploded.

He slapped me across the face. Five fingers imprinted on my cheek, the pain blurring my vision.

Even Mom was shocked.

He raised his hand again, but Mom stopped him.

“What are you doing?!” she cried.

“Sarah’s always been sensitive!” Dad yelled.

“Ashley knew that! She bought her a standing–room–only ticket on purpose! She wanted her to stay behind! That’s your sister! Why couldn’t you just buy her a proper ticket?!”

I gave a weak smile. “If I bought her a ticket, I couldn’t come home myself.”

“I gave you $3,000 for emergencies!” he roared. “How could you not have enough?!”

I looked at Mom. Her face was grim. As Dad continued ranting, she finally spoke.

“Ashley gave me that money,” she said quietly. “She… she didn’t have any left.”

Dad’s jaw dropped. He’d already hit me, yelled at me. He couldn’t back down now. His next words were less confident.

“Even without that money, she gets $250 a month for expenses! A train ticket is only a few hundred dollars! She’s just being spiteful! She didn’t want her sister to come home!”

I didn’t answer, just kept looking at Mom, a small smile playing on my lips. Mom sighed.

“Enough,” she said, even quieter. “Ashley didn’t have the money.”