Chapter 1

To ensure fairness, my parents required my sister and me to use a family calendar app to schedule time with them.

At eight years old, I clapped my hands, thinking it was a fun game.

But as my scheduling requests got rejected time and time again, I stopped smiling.

Dad couldn't attend my State Debate Tournament because he had to take my sister to the equestrian club.

Mom couldn't pick me up when I injured my leg in a fall because she had to drop my sister off at her cheerleading lesson.

Unable to hold back my tears, I went home and confronted them.

Dad just frowned.

"Piper put her schedule in the app before you did. Of course we prioritize her time."

"If we change the rules just because you throw a little tantrum, where is the fairness in this house?"

Mom looked exasperated.

"It's your own fault for always being one step behind Piper. Next time, remember to block out the calendar earlier."

But that "next time" never came.

Until College Decision Day, when I collapsed from acute appendicitis and was rushed to the ER by a stranger.

The family app was glitching all afternoon, and my requests wouldn't go through.

Right before being wheeled into the operating room, I fought through the agonizing pain and called Dad.

"Dad, I was trying to submit a..."

He cut me off, his voice ice-cold.

"Piper submitted a request half an hour ago. Your mother and I are helping her pick out a dress for Prom."

In the background, I could hear Mom laughing and chatting with my sister.

"Your sister has always been a procrastinator. She has only herself to blame for being alone."

Listening to the cold dial tone, I deleted my acceptance email for the state university and sent my confirmation to the university in the UK.

I no longer wanted the love I couldn't schedule.

***

After a long, miserable night, I was finally discharged early the next morning.

Every step I took pulled at my abdominal incision, sending sharp spikes of pain through me.

The moment I pushed the front door open, a rich, savory aroma washed over me.

I froze, spotting a bowl of hot chicken soup on the dining table.

Did Mom know I had surgery yesterday and make this just for me?

Warmth bloomed in my chest. I reached for the soup spoon.

Mom suddenly rushed out of the kitchen and slapped my hand away.

"Are you crazy? Don't you dare touch your sister's chicken soup!"

The back of my hand burned, but my heart burned worse.

Cradling my hand, I spoke, my voice hoarse.

"Mom, I wanted some too..."

Mom glared at me coldly.

"Did you submit a request in the app specifying that you wanted chicken soup this morning?"

I shook my head, lowering my eyes.

Even if I had, it wouldn't have mattered.

Over the past ten years, every single meal request I submitted had been rejected by her.

"Your sister booked it first, so I have to cater to her."

And so, piping hot plates of bacon and eggs were always placed in front of my sister.

In front of me, there was only cold cereal and stale bagels.

Remembering the glitchy app from yesterday, I tentatively asked, "When did Piper schedule this?"

Mom furrowed her brows.

"I don't remember, but it was definitely before you did!"

"Your sister isn't like you. You're always a step behind!"

My nails dug into my palms. Just as I was about to press the issue, my sister walked in, rubbing her eyes.

"Mom, I'm starving."

Mom instantly put on a warm smile and slid the bowl of chicken soup over to her.

"You've had seasonal allergies lately, so I made a special clear broth. Drink it while it's hot."

Piper wrinkled her nose, shaking Mom's arm whiningly.

"Mom, I don't like the smell of these herbs."

"Be a good girl. You won't get better if you don't drink it."

Mom scooped up a spoonful, gently coaxing my sister to drink.

Seeing her flinch slightly from the heat, Mom instantly panicked.

"Did it burn you? Does it hurt? Let Mom go get you some ice!"

But what about me? Yesterday afternoon, I was shivering violently, vomiting, feeling like a knife was twisting inside my gut.

Yet no one asked me if it hurt.

Unable to bear it any longer, I looked at my sister.

"When exactly did you schedule this bowl of chicken soup?"

Piper paused, looking a bit flustered.

"Sometime around three o'clock yesterday afternoon, I think."

Heh.

Three o'clock yesterday afternoon.

That was the exact time I was being wheeled into surgery, watching my screen display a glaring "Server Error."

There was no way Piper could have successfully booked anything.

How ridiculous.

I had actually believed such a blatant lie for ten years.