7: Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way

I RUN ALL THE WAY HOME. I run until my lungs feel like they’re going to explode, but it still doesn’t hurt as much as what just happened at Hattie’s ceremony. I was outed as a Horangi in front of the entire congregation, and now my parents have seven days to choose between me and their gifts. I can’t let them make the worst decision of their lives.

“Thank you for keeping the bugs out, door-sin,” I whisper, and it unlocks itself for me.

I go straight to my room, and it’s like the house knows the decision I’ve made. The floors creak and the walls stretch and whine, as if they’re trying to stop me.

“You’ve been an amazing home,” I say as I trace my fingers along the squirming wall. “But I can’t stay. I can’t let my parents sacrifice their divine calling for me. I just can’t.”

The house groans as if it’s in pain, but I start putting clothes into my suitcase anyway. If I leave, my parents won’t need to make an impossible choice. I go to pack my onyx stone but realize it’s a reminder of my cursed heritage. I shove it into my bedside drawer instead.

Mong runs into my room and jumps into the open suitcase, still in his Haetae outfit. His eyes are round and watery as if he knows exactly what I’m planning, too.

“I’m gonna miss you, boy.” I sigh. “Even your stinky breath.”

“You don’t have to miss him. Because you aren’t going anywhere.”

I swivel around to see Hattie standing at the door, with Emmett at her side. He’s carrying a Tupperware container of freshly baked cookies. I can smell their warm yumminess from across the room.

“What are you guys doing here?” I demand, wiping my damp eyes. “I’d like to be alone.”

“I ran after you and stopped to get Emmett. I told Eomma and Appa that I’d try talking to you. This is not the time for you to be by yourself.”

Emmett walks over and upends my suitcase, dumping all my clothes on the floor. “This is what we think of your plan, by the way.”

“Yeah, it stinks, Rye,” Hattie agrees.

“Since when have you been one to run away from your problems?” Emmett asks. “You know that’s more my jam.”

I put my hands on my hips, feeling my face get hot. “Do you think I want to run away? But what choice do I have? I can’t stay and let Eomma and Appa lose everything they’ve ever worked for. What kind of daughter would I be?”

Emmett closes the empty suitcase and sits on top of it. “On the way over here, Hattie filled me in on what happened.”