Chapter 2Done With My Poisonous Family

On the day of the college entrance exam, I got up at the crack of dawn.

I double-checked my pencils, calculator, and admission ticket, then tucked everything neatly into a clear plastic folder.

Because of the test, my parents showed me more warmth than they ever had. Breakfast was ridiculously big, and they actually spoke to me kindly.

Like they really were loving parents who cared about their son's future.

I knew better. They didn't care about me. They cared about how much I'd be worth to Pearl one day.

I finished breakfast and was about to head out when Pearl came tearing out of her room like a gust of wind and snatched the folder right out of my hands.

"Mine! Mine!" she shrieked, clutching it to her chest.

My heart sank. I rushed over to get it back. "Pearl, I need that for my test. It's really important. Give it back, now!"

My touch seemed to set her off.

"No! No!" she screeched, and she ripped it hard with both hands.

Rrrip!

The sound cracked in my ears like thunder.

I watched, helpless, as she tore my admission ticket and my photo ID to pieces.

She laughed with glee as she ripped, flinging the scraps into the air like confetti.

In that instant, every sound in the world disappeared.

My mind went blank. It felt like all the blood in my body had frozen.

Through the storm of falling scraps, I saw Pearl's face twisted with excitement. I also saw my parents' expressions freeze.

"Pearl Dawson! What do you think you're doing?!"

Dad roared. It was the first time I could remember him ever getting that angry at her.

Not because she'd destroyed my future. Because she'd destroyed their retirement plan.

Pearl wasn't scared by their sudden fury. If anything, she flew into an even wilder rage.

"Bad Mommy! Bad Daddy!"

She screamed and swung her fists at Mom, then kicked Dad hard in the shin.

My parents staggered back under the blows. "Have you lost your mind?" they kept yelling, but neither of them dared to actually hit her back.

The whole house descended into chaos. Crying, cursing, and the sound of things smashing all blended together.

In the end, Dad was the first to snap out of it.

He shoved Mom aside, since she was still wrestling with Pearl, rushed over to me, and grabbed my wrist. "Let's go! We'll get you a replacement! There's still time!"

His grip was so tight it hurt. He dragged me along, and I stumbled after him out the door.

On the way out, I looked back. Mom was holding Pearl, who was kicking and screaming on the floor. "Don't cry, Pearl, baby," Mom was cooing. "Mommy's sorry. Mommy shouldn't have yelled at you..."

And over Mom's shoulder, Pearl flashed me a vicious, smug grin.