I bit the inside of my cheek. When we get there. They didn’t even seem to notice I wasn’t part of that Wii anymore.
At one point, my dad cleared his throat. “Thank you for driving us, Violet. I know this probably feels unusual.”
I glanced at him in the rearview mirror. “Usual? That’s an interesting way to put it, Dad.”
He didn’t respond. He just shifted uncomfortably in his seat, probably wishing he hadn’t spoken at all.
Lauren leaned forward from the back seat, her voice grading. “You’re not mad, right? I mean this is really big of you letting me go. I could never have afforded this on my own.”
I clenched my jaw and forced a tight smile. “Of course, Lauren. Enjoy the trip.”
By the time we pulled up to the airport drop off Zone, my patience was hanging by a thread. As I helped unload their luggage, my mom gave me a hug.
“Thank you for understanding, sweetheart. This means a lot to us, and to Lauren.”
I nodded stiffly. “Sure, Mom.”
Lauren beamed as she wheeled her suitcase toward the entrance. “Thanks, Violet. You’re the best.”
I stood there watching them disappear into the terminal, my chest tight with anger and hurt. The ride back home was a blur. I replayed the conversation in my head over and over, each word cutting deeper than the last.
This means a lot to Lauren.
You’re not mad, right?
You’re always working so hard.
I parked in my driveway and sat in the car for a few minutes, gripping the steering wheel until my Knuckles turned white. Then, without a second thought, I marched into the house, pulled out my laptop, and logged into every travel account I’d use to book the trip.
Hotel reservations cancelled. Tours refunded. Airline upgrades? Nope.
I stared at the confirmation emails piling up in my inbox, feeling the tightness in my chest start to ease. They wanted to take Lauren instead of me? Fine. But they wouldn’t be staying in five-star hotels or enjoying private tours on my dime. When I closed my laptop, a sense of satisfaction settled over me. They could explain themselves to the front desk staff in Paris. I was done being their doormat.