4: 4
Mom nodded, satisfied.
"That's more like it. Rennie, you fill yours in too."
Renata leaned over and finished entering her choices.
"Max, we can ask to room together, so we'll be with each other every day, just like now."
I smiled and nodded.
Once they'd both left, I opened the system again.
I changed the top choice to the overseas university, computer science.
Clicked save, confirmed the submission.
The day the application window closed, Mom made a whole spread of good food.
Braised ribs, sweet-and-sour fish, garlic butter shrimp, all of Renata's favorites.
"To celebrate you both finishing your applications!" Mom raised her glass. "College students from now on!"
Then something occurred to her. "Max, you finished your application, right? Let me see."
"All done. Computer science at the state university."
But she still wasn't reassured.
I took out my phone and pulled up the screenshot I'd prepared long ago.
Mom smiled, satisfied, and turned to put more food on Renata's plate.
"Rennie, eat up. Once you're at college you'll have to be independent, I won't be cooking for you every day."
Renata pouted. "I'll miss you, Auntie."
"Silly girl, you'll be back on break."
Watching the two of them, all warmth and affection, I lowered my head and ate a piece of rib.
The rib was stewed until it fell apart, but I couldn't taste a thing.
The day Renata's acceptance came through, Mom was so happy she spun circles in the living room.
She turned to me. "Max, did yours come in?"
"It did. Accepted too."
Mom was even happier. "Wonderful!"
She didn't ask to see my acceptance letter. She didn't ask what my major was.
She was just happy that Renata had gotten in.
And me, I'd only been mentioned in passing.
A week before the semester started, Mom began packing Renata's things.
She bought two pink suitcases.
"Mom, I like blue."
"Pink's so pretty. Rennie likes pink, you two should match."
Then she started buying supplies.
Two sets of sheets, pink floral.
Two sets of toiletries, all pink.
Two pairs of slippers, pink princess style.
Looking at that pile of pink things, I suddenly felt so tired, but I didn't say anything more.
After all, I wouldn't be needing them.
The night before the semester started, Mom carried the packed luggage out to the living room.
"Max, Rennie, I've got all your things ready. First thing tomorrow I'll drive you to school."
Renata and I nodded at the same time.
At two in the morning, the house went quiet.
I climbed out of bed without a sound.
My backpack had been ready for a while. Only three things inside.
The college acceptance letter, my ID, and the five thousand dollars I'd saved from part-time work.
I crept across the living room.
Dad was snoring on the couch.
My brother was sound asleep in his room.
Mom and Renata were in the master bedroom, breathing evenly.
I reached the entryway, put on my shoes, and took one last look at this home.
On the living room wall hung Renata's piano exam certificate and my competition award.
But mine had curled at the corners.
Renata's was framed in gold, without a speck of dust.
I took my competition award down and slid it into my bag.
I opened the door, walked to the entrance of the complex, and hailed a cab.
"To the airport, please."
"This early?"
"Catching a flight."
The driver said nothing more and started the car.
The streets were quiet in the early morning.
I leaned against the window, watching the scenery rush backward.
This city, I'd lived here eighteen years.
Every street, every intersection, I knew them all.
But from now on, I was leaving it.
Never coming back.
