Amelia stepped off the airplane, her small suitcase rolling beside her on the shiny airport floor. The cool, conditioned air hit her face, and she took a deep breath, feeling a flicker of relief after the long flight. She looked around at the bustling terminal—families reuniting, travelers hurrying past, the soft hum of announcements echoing through the vast space.
And then she saw her. A woman with warm eyes and a bright smile, waving enthusiastically at her from across the terminal. Amelia froze for a moment, her heart skipping. She had never met her Aunt Nancy in person before, only heard stories, only seen pictures. But now, here she was, smiling and beckoning Amelia toward her.
A small smile formed on Amelia's lips as she lifted her hand in return, waving shyly. Every step she took toward her aunt seemed both exciting and nerve-wracking, but the sight of Nancy's familiar, welcoming face filled her with a strange, comforting warmth.
Amelia had never thought she'd be in a New York airport at sixteen. She had leukemia—stage two—and had just lost her mother. Before she died, her mom had told her about a father she had never met, giving her only a name. Now, Amelia was determined to find him before it was too late.
Her aunt Nancy and her husband were the only family she had left. They were taking care of her legally, but they had always warned her about her father, saying he abandoned her mother. Amelia didn't plan to tell them she was searching for him.
The plane ride had been long, but stepping into the terminal, she felt a mix of relief and nervousness. Then she saw her aunt waving at her. Amelia smiled shyly and waved back, but inside, her mind was already on the mission she had set for herself.
Amelia finally arrived at her aunt Nancy's house, dragging her suitcase behind her. The moment she stepped inside, she saw her cousin, Clara, for the first time. Clara was two years older, and from the look on her face, it was clear she wasn't thrilled to see Amelia. Always the only child, Clara seemed to see Amelia as a rival for attention and the spotlight.
Soon after, Amelia learned she would be attending the same school as Clara. Clara was a senior, while Amelia, just a junior, felt both nervous and out of place. Her first day at the New York school was hectic—different teachers, crowded hallways, and students everywhere. New York itself was nothing like Texas; everything moved faster, felt bigger, and somehow more overwhelming.
During her first day, Amelia accidentally bumped into a tall, handsome boy in Clara's class. His name was Jason. He smiled at her, intrigued and interested, which immediately caught Clara's attention. Clara's face darkened; she had a crush on him and didn't like sharing the spotlight.
When they got home, Clara was distant, throwing subtle jabs at Amelia in side comments. It hurt Amelia to see her cousin act this way, but she tried to keep her spirits up, determined not to let anyone dampen her resolve.
Weeks passed, and Amelia's bond with Jason grew stronger. He had been struggling in some courses, and one of the teachers had recommended Amelia, the top student, to help him. Tutoring him brought them closer, and their friendship quickly turned into something more.
But Clara had become Amelia's worst nightmare. She would lock Amelia in the bathroom or hide her medicine, and their aunt and uncle had noticed. When Amelia almost had a seizure from missing her doses, her parents had to caution Clara firmly.
As the term neared its end, the school invited parents to a small drama show. Every parent came, including Jason's parents. Amelia and Jason's performance was outstanding. After the show, Jason's father approached Amelia, asking more about her and speaking to her warmly. Amelia felt a happiness she hadn't known in a long time—the way he made her feel was comforting and uplifting.
When they returned home, Clara threw a tantrum, and this time Aunt Nancy supported her. Amelia barely noticed, having grown used to her aunt's quiet shift in loyalty ever since she had sensed tension between Nancy and her husband, who were heading toward divorce. Amelia had learned to take it in stride and focus on the things that mattered most to her.
The divorce was finally settled, and Nancy walked away with nothing. Since she was the one who filed for it, she got no share of her husband's money. Bills began to pile up, and the house grew tense. Nancy could barely manage herself, let alone raise two children, and slowly, all her frustration was taken out on Amelia.
One evening, a small argument turned into a violent fight. Nancy snapped, blaming Amelia for every misfortune in her life. She accused her of being the reason her marriage failed, of ruining her happiness, even of killing her mother by bringing pain into everyone's lives. Amelia tried to explain, tried to speak, but Nancy wouldn't listen. She went as far as accusing Amelia of stealing her daughter's love.
That night, Clara packed Amelia's things. Without a word, they threw her out of the house and locked the door behind her. Amelia cried for hours, begging them to let her in, but no one answered.
With shaking hands, she picked up her bags and walked away. Through her tears, she whispered a prayer—just one. She wanted a complete home, a sweet home. Something she had never known. Maybe if her father had been around, maybe if her mother were still alive, life would have been kinder.
But nothing was kinder. Her illness worsened, her strength failed her, and as she stumbled down the empty street, Amelia collapsed and fainted.