n' love with the sight of you

off to college. I cracked open my cola soda while scrolling on my tablet, searching for that favorite song since i wasn't vibing with the one correctly blaring through my headset. "Yes! There you are!" I mouthed as I click on it. Just then, Becky screams so loudly that I jerked, splashing cola all over my olive-green sac jean pants. It turns out she was just trying to sing. "What the hell, Becky?" I yelled, glaring at her. She paused for a moment, pretending to be ignorant of the situation, and I narrow my eyes at her antics. "Oh, sorry! Did you splash?" she stifled a laugh, placing her hand over her mouth, her eyes wide as she stared down at the stain currently on my pants. "Obviously," I reply, gesturing to the spot. "I'm really sorry! Let me take care of that for you." She pulled out some wipes and started dabbing at the area. "Why would you scream like that?" I ask, placing the can on the desk. "I saw this trend on t****k, so I thought I'd give it a try, but i think it turned out... really good," she said amusingly as if realizing something new. Lifting her gaze, she cracks up laughing prompting me to join in. "Give me that." I snatched the wipe from her and started cleaning the stain myself. "You do realize I could fire you for this, right?" "You can't actually, because you love me too much," she giggled, settling into the seat right beside me. "Yeah, yeah," I replied with a smirk but she just beams back at me, clearly proud of herself. "I really am going to miss you, you know." "Aww, it’s not like I’m going to be gone forever! I’ll still come home for the holidays. I’m going to miss you too," I said, glad to have someone care so much about me something i rarely get fom my folks. She smiles kindly, placing her hand over her heart to express a heartfelt gratitude. Becky has been my assistant as long as I can remember, and over the years, we’ve formed a bond. I’m grateful to have someone as kind as she is, even if she could be a handful at times. Yet, like every other time, my parents choose again their work over me. I would say that i was use to it now, but I was hoping that, just this once, they might actually be present for something as important as this in my life. It’s my first day of college—what parent would miss that? I usually thought that maybe my parents were growing apart or that they married based on a contract or something. Eventually, I realized they’re two people who nust love—no, are obsessed with—work, and that is just enough for them. I feel like I’m just a mistake that got in the way. "Alright, ladies and gentle girls, fasten your seatbelts; we are about to land," Pius announced over the microphone. "Show off, P," I said out loud, giggling, while Becky fastens her seatbelt, smirking at me. "Just doing my job," he replied back, a smile evident in his tone. I smirked fastening my seatbelt preparing for landing. As soon as we got off the plane, a flashy black Tesla was parked out front alongside two black SUVs. It looked like everything had been arranged ahead of time—probably by one of their assistants. The Tesla was the latest model, and I still hadn’t even gotten over the brand-new car sitting untouched in our garage back home. They were always ready to spend money on me. Just… never their time. Back in high school, they never showed up to my games. Mom came once—just once—and for a moment I thought things might change. But she slipped out without notice, and after that, neither of them ever came again. Was I privileged? Yeah. But not in the way that mattered. A tear slipped down my cheek as I watched the buildings blur past the window. I wiped it away quickly—thankfully, Becky was busy with her tablet. “Oh my God, I can’t believe they got you this car. This is insane, Camberley!” she gushed, like she’d just landed in Paris for the first time. “What? Like you didn’t know they could pull something like this, Becky.” I folded my arms across my abdomen and sank into the cushioned seat. The interior was purple—exactly how I liked it. That only made me more suspicious. “Camberley… don’t you like it?” she asked, her excitement fading as she noticed my tone. “Actually, I do. Which is why I think you knew all along. In fact, I think you orchestrated all of this.” I gestured to the interior. She dropped the act, realizing I’d figured her out. “But do you like it?” she pressed. “I was so excited when your dad told me he was getting you another car. He wanted it to be a surprise, and I thought—why not fix up the interior? You know… make it you.” I rolled my eyes, a small smile betraying me. “I like it.” “That didn’t sound convincing.” She nudged my shoulder and started tickling me, trying to force a laugh out of me. I gave in almost immediately, laughing as I tried to push her away. “Okay, okay! I love it. The interior—honestly, that’s my favorite part. You did a really good job.” “Thank you,” she said, beaming. “But you should give your parents some credit too.” “Yeah… I do,” I replied, quieter now. “But for some people, this is supposed to be a big moment. Something that actually matters.” My voice tightened, the words coming out sharper than I intended. “Why do I have to be the exception to everything?” I turned my head toward the window so she wouldn’t see my face, but it didn’t help. My shoulders began to shake as the tears came anyway. I felt… invisible. Like I wasn’t loved—not really. Like I was never enough to deserve their time. And the worst part? That feeling had been with me for as long as I could remember.