CHAPTER 5

SYDNEY 

The next week I met Jason's mom. My mom didn't come early so I saw Jason being taken home.

"Mom!" Jason ran up and hugged his mother. I liked that he wasn't scared to do that even though his friends were watching. His mother kissed him on the cheek and finally noticed me standing timidly behind him.

"Oh, my goodness. You must be Sydney" she said and hugged me. I hugged her back and to be honest, I liked it. Jason's mom radiated warmth and motherly love that I never got from my mother, and it felt good to finally feel it after so many years. "Jason has told me so much about you. A little too much, maybe. And my, he described you perfectly. Even down to those freckles on your cheeks. You are so beautiful, Sydney."

I could feel my cheeks turning red, quietly said thank you and Jason was soon on his way home. My body still felt warm from the hug and slowly a resentment boiled in me towards my mother. Why didn't she treat me the way other mothers did? I was forced to grow up on my own because of it. My mom came to pick me up just a few minutes later. She tried to talk to me, but I wouldn't allow her. She was just making the effort because she thought I still had amnesia or might get a panic attack. She didn't love me, and it hurt to think about that.

The next day at school was hard for me. I found it hard to talk to Jason because whenever I saw him, I felt envious. I wanted his life, and his family, but instead, I was stuck. I ignored him and I could see how hurt it made him feel but he gave me my space. During the break, however, he lost his patience. I sat in class to read since everyone had left and it was quiet and the next thing you know, Jason barged in and locked the door behind him.

"You know skipping school might not get us expelled but stealing keys from teachers is really pushing it," I said still with my head in the book.

"Why are you avoiding me? What did I do? I'm sorry. It's torture knowing you're mad at me and I'm not even exaggerating. Please tell me Sydney."

I stayed silent. What was I expected to say? 'Hey Jason, I'm mad at you because you won the family lottery, and I was left with scraps. I've been breaking down every day for the past week because of how envious I am of your perfect life and I wish I could steal that life from you so I could feel the parental love I've been craving every day since I was a little girl when my dad left.' It hurt just thinking about it. It hurt to know I was hurting Jason because of these feelings. It wasn't his fault I landed where I did so why on earth did, I feel these emotions? I felt ashamed of myself. I couldn't even look him in the eye.

"I'm sorry. You didn't do anything wrong. It was me. I've been going through a lot of hard stuff with my mom and well I guess it took a toll on our relationship." I still kept my head down.

He walked up to me and took my head in his hands. "Want to talk about it?" and then he stared into my eyes and the dam that had me storing all the pain I felt broke loose. I told him everything and cried my heart out into his shoulders. He held me close and listened the entire time. He didn't offer a solution or advice, he didn't butt in while I was talking, and he didn't have that judgmental look that people give towards people like me; he just listened and that was all I needed.

The next day, when I saw Jason's car drive into the school compound, I made sure to run to meet him, and by him, I meant his mother. It was a long run from my class to the parking lot and by the time I reached him, Jason was already in the car and was driving out. I squinted. All I needed was a glimpse of his mother to make my day. Instead, I saw a man. Tall, olive-skinned, dark curly hair, freckles, and … the same gorgeous green eyes. It hit me like a freight train. That man was my father.

Jason was my brother.