“Honey, I need you to cook dinner again tonight. I have to stay at work late and grade papers.” Her father’s voice crackled, and then he hung up. Sorin sighed and shut off her phone. Third time this week. And it was only Wednesday. Ever since her mom died, her dad just hadn’t been the same and seemed to bury himself in work. He either forgot about Sorin’s difficult transition to a new middle school or he just didn’t care.

 

Taking a deep breath, Sorin headed down the hall to the kitchen and grabbed two packs of ramen noodles, some cold cuts, and leftover Caesar salad from yesterday’s lunch. After eating dinner alone, she sat down to attempt her essay for 7th grade English. The house was almost too quiet for her to think. Sorin had transferred from East Union Middle School to Lake Norman Charter, a whole new world, leaving behind her friends, the house in which she was born, and the swim team.