Billions for My Brother, Regrets for My Grave

I frantically wiped the blood with my other hand, terrified of another beating if they noticed.

Neville's confident reciting echoed from upstairs.

Colette bustled in the kitchen, making a late-night snack for her precious son. Otis watched TV on the couch, occasionally glancing at me with disappointment.

I knelt in the center of the house like an invisible person.

Blood kept flowing, blurring my vision. Neville's smug grin swam before my eyes, mocking my misery.

I was David's shadow, a clumsy copy. No matter how hard I tried, I could never be the light.

...

At school, my deskmate shoved a milk carton into my hand.

"You didn't eat breakfast again?" Noah Carter asked, frowning.

I pushed it back. "My mom made me chicken soup. I just don't like milk."

The lie came out of my mouth easily.

Noah stared at me for a few seconds but said nothing.

I gripped the milk, my knuckles turning white.

The poster of the citywide math competition hung in the school hallway. The first place would be awarded five grand, a certificate, and a trophy.

I remembered my parents' promise. If I did well, they'd buy me a used phone.

I threw myself into practice, sleeping less than four hours a day.

"You're gonna burn out like this," Noah said worriedly.

I ignored him, determined to prove I wasn't useless. I wanted that gold medal to shatter my "flawed substitute" label and show them my worth.

On competition day, I won first place.

Taking the shiny trophy, the heavy certificate, and the cash, I happily ran home.

This time would be different. They'd be proud.

I could buy a phone and have enough left for medicine.

I burst through the door and found Neville on the couch, playing video games.

"Dad, Mom, I won the math competition!" I shouted excitedly.

Colette poked her head out of the kitchen, took the trophy, and set it on the shoe rack.

"Alright, don't make a scene. You'll disturb Neville," she hushed.

"How much is the prize?" Otis asked without looking up.

"5 grand."

"Give it to your mom for household expenses."

I froze. "What about the phone?"

Colette paused, irritation creeping into her voice. "I'm still using my old phone, you know."

Otis frowned. "What does a kid need a phone for?"

"But you promised," I reasoned.

"Promised what?" he snapped. "I don't remember that. We're broke, and you're whining about a phone? Can't you give us a break?"

"We give you food and clothes. What more do you want?" Colette handed me a worn pencil case. "This was David's. Use it carefully."

I took it, feeling the scratches under my fingers. David's name was faintly penciled on it, nearly faded.

"Look at this, Lenora," Neville said, waving his new phone, its screen bigger than my face.

"Got this for improving my test scores. Cool, right?" His voice dripped with pride, his eyes mocking.

I stared at him, the phone, and then my parents' indifferent faces.

Neville smirked. "You won something too? Where's your prize?"

My chest tightened. I could barely breathe.

"I'm stepping out," I said, turning to leave.

"Get back here!" Otis yelled.

I rushed out of the house but ran into Noah, who appeared out of nowhere.