“I got into Schermerhorn Academy! Full scholarship, too, starting in the winter semester for sophomore year,” Page yelped, stabbing a piece of her casserole. Schermerhorn Academy was the best boarding school on the East Coast, with an alumni association of presidents and artists and scientists. Their acceptance rate was reportedly lower than Harvard’s. A spot at Schermerhorn meant astronomical opportunities, a ticket to an Ivy League college, a job wherever you pleased, a network of people who could make your life a dream with one whisper in some other powerful person’s ear.

“We didn’t even know she applied. She got the acceptance yesterday!” Odilie’s dad exclaimed, raising his water glass as if in a toast. “We are so proud of you, honey. How you got through that application process with no help from us isn’t too surprising, but gosh I couldn’t even fill out my own doctor’s form when I was your age!” And the three of them started chattering about the day Page would move, the textbooks she would need, the clubs and teams she’d want to join.

Page sat with her dinner devoured, her head cocked in her hands, smiling, the perfect teenage dream. She would be the first Wyneck local to be accepted at Schermerhorn. The high school was holding a party in her honor in the fall. She would do one more semester there while also balancing a few online courses at Schermerhorn to get ahead. “Are you going to miss Ryan?” mused their mom, salting her casserole. Ryan was Page’s boyfriend, a moppy blond boy who played soccer.

Page scrunched her nose. “I’ll find someone else. I like Ryan, but he’s so ordinary. I want someone who challenges me.” Her dad grunted in approval. Odilie sat there, her plate clean, her water glass empty, watching both of her parents’ heads turned, preening over their younger daughter. It was like there was a crick in their necks; they hadn’t turned over to Odilie’s side of the table once.

Before she could think too hard, Odilie picked up her fork, held it high and dropped it back on her plate, the noise shattering the self-congratulatory mood of the room. Her parents, Page, they finally turned to her, confusion etched on their faces like they’d forgotten she was there.

Odilie laced her fingers together. “I have news, too,” she said primly, watching their expressions, the way their eyes screwed up with impatience, waiting for Odilie to finish what she was saying so they could turn back to Page. Odilie smiled, put her shoulders back. “I’m moving to New York, to the city.” And once it was out of her mouth, she was. She had to. There was no change of plans to be made.

16

VERA

Present day