The 300th IOU

From the time I was ten until I turned eighteen, my parents made me sign two hundred and ninety-nine IOUs. Every single dollar I needed D for school, for clothes, even for freaking toothpaste D they made me borrow it. Said I had to pay it all back when I became an adult.

Then, I got into a car accident. I needed surgery, and my debit card was three grand short. Desperate, I went to my folks for help. They just gave me this cold, hard look. Riley, youre eighteen now, my mom said, like she was reading from a script. Were not obligated to give you any more money. So, you want the surgery, youll sign another IOU.

I wrote down number three hundred with tears stinging my eyes. After the surgery, I scrolled through my stepsisters Instagram. There she was, on some fancy cruise ship in the Caribbean, celebrating her eighteenth birthday, surrounded by friends, all smiles and sunshine. Like a princess. My parents had given her a condo downtown and a shiny new Maserati. And my childhood best friend, Liam, was looking at her like she hung the moon. She captioned the picture about how grateful she was for her amazing parents giving her the best of everything.

I just stared at the crumpled IOU in my hand, and I laughed. A hollow, bitter kind of laugh. Once I paid them back, those people, that family, I wouldn't need them anymore.

Coming home from the hospital, the house was empty, not a soul in sight. Even the cleaning lady had the day off. The lights were off in that massive place, just this big, empty silence where even my own footsteps sounded loud. It wasnt the first time I'd been totally forgotten, but it still stung.

I took a deep breath and headed upstairs, grabbing the banister to haul myself up. My legs were still weak from the accident. My room D or really, the glorified junk room D was the smallest, darkest space in the whole damn mansion. I didnt own much: a bed, a beat-up desk. That was it.

I opened the desk drawer, and it was stuffed with the IOUs from all those years. One, two... plus the one I just signed, exactly three hundred. They were for everything from ten dollars for school supplies to a couple hundred for "living expenses." It added up to, like, maybe five thousand bucks, tops.

I had to laugh, but it just came out bitter. Five thousand? Piper's cheapest piece of jewelry probably cost more than that. No wonder my parents were always calling me small-minded and saying Piper was the real "Sullivan" daughter. I guess I was, like, officially a failure.

I tucked all the IOUs into my pocket and was about to go downstairs when I heard voices. "Daddy, I'm craving that sweet and sour fish Riley used to make. Can you ask her to make it for me?"

"Rileys been a handful lately. Who knows where she even is? Skipping out on your party, probably off goofing around with her friends. When she gets back, I'll have her make that for you.

I rolled my eyes. So typical. Id told them I had a car accident, but they didnt believe me. My parents thought I skipped out on Pipers birthday bash, instead of being in the ER. It's like they forgot that my birthday was on the exact same day as Piper's. It's my eighteenth too, which made this whole thing even more insulting.

The door opened, and when they saw me on the stairs, the whole happy family vibe just vanished. I was like an intruder, someone they were annoyed by.

"You couldn't turn on the lights when you got back? Seriously, what's gotten into you? my mom snapped. My dad, on the other hand, barked orders at me, "Didn't you hear your sister? Get in the kitchen and make her that fish."

Sweet and sour fish. That dish was a freaking nightmare for me. It was my moms 40th birthday, and Id secretly learned to make it, thinking I could impress her. I was twelve back then. I almost sliced my finger open, and hot oil splattered everywhere. The dish came out perfect, or so I thought, but when I served it, Piper was like "Oh, I love that!", and my mom never touched it. She just put the whole plate in front of Piper.

Ill never forget the smug look on Pipers face. She ate every last bit of that fish, then got a bone stuck in her throat. My parents freaked out, rushed her to the ER. Piper, the drama queen, said, all innocent and cute, Mommy, it's not Rileys fault. I just got too greedy." Because of that, my mom slapped me hard. She called me toxic, accused me of trying to hurt Piper on purpose.

After that, anytime Piper wanted fish, my parents made me spend hours picking out every single bone. I used to slave over those things for the slightest bit of praise from my parents. Now I just felt like an idiot.

Maybe the housekeeper can do it, Im not in the mood, I said, and turned to leave. Piper grabbed my arm, all fake and weepy. Riley, are you still mad at me? Im sorry, I didn't mean to tell Mom and Dad about you spending that money. It was an accident, okay?

Hearing that, my parents just blew up. Dad's face got all red, and he hauled off and slapped me, knocking me to the floor. How dare you make Piper feel bad after youve been such a burden! She had to skip meals to get through the week and now her stomach is messed up thanks to you! Mom was looking at me with this disappointed expression, but she tried to help me up, "Riley, that car accident thing was just to get money, and Piper has been covering for you. Making you sign IOUs, that's to help you curb those bad habits!

I clutched my face; it burned. But it was nothing compared to the pain in my chest. I pulled away from my moms hand, Im not lying, the accident really happened.

My mom frowned, Oh, come on. The doctor at the private hospital told your father and me, there are no records of you being admitted there. Piper, of course, had to chime in, Riley, you cant trick Mom and Dad like that! I have some spending money, maybe you want it? We are sisters after all!

Mom sighed, and hugged Piper, Oh, honey, If only Riley had been as sensible as you. But try not to get yourself into trouble like Riley.

I just started laughing, right there in the middle of the living room, watching them play happy family. Riley, what's wrong with you? My parents looked freaked out, like they thought I was about to go crazy or something. I stopped laughing, stared at them, and pulled out my surgical report from the emergency room from my pocket. I couldnt go to a private hospital, I dont have the cash! Are you surprised I'm not on record there?"

Mom picked up the report, and her face changed. "Riley, your leg..."

Mom looked like she was going to try to be caring again, but Piper cut her off. Riley, was it really bad? Oh, it's all my fault, I should have called when you didn't come to my party. You must be in so much pain. Piper was putting on a show, she was digging her nails into my arm. I knew what she was up to, but I didn't want to deal with this drama anymore.

I gave a slight shrug and Piper ended up on the ground. The guilt on their faces vanished and they jumped to their feet. How could you do that to your sister!

It's just a car accident! You should be fine! Now, apologize to Piper!

I just ignored them and headed for the door. Dad was furious and grabbed a vase off the table, smashing it by my feet. You ungrateful brat! Youre running away? He screamed. Fine! You owe us for all those IOUs! Pay us back next week, or else I will have the lawyer send you to jail!

The broken vase had cut my calf, and blood was dripping down my leg but I didnt care. My dads words didnt even surprise me. I looked at them. My parents thought they scared me into begging them. Instead, I didnt feel anything for them anymore. I turned my head away and before slamming the door I said one word: Okay.

I was going to pay it back. Then, I wouldn't have to deal with this pathetic mess of a family anymore. Outside, I could still hear my dad yelling, but I just blocked him out. Hobbling down the street, I realized that the world was so big. So big, that I was completely lost.

I saw a single star shining in the sky, and I felt just as lonely. I crouched down, wrapped my arms around myself, trying to get warm. It hadn't always been like this with them. My parents used to be totally into each other. And as their only daughter, I used to get spoiled rotten. But everything changed the second Piper arrived. She was my parents' best friend's daughter, and after they died in a car crash, no one wanted her.

So my parents took her in. At first, I was excited to have a sister. But she turned out to be a viper. We were in elementary school when it happened. My parents were always working so they gave me the money and told me to take care of Piper. Piper asked if she could spend the money with her friends. So, I gave her most of my allowance.

When Mom and Dad came back, Piper was unconscious and was rushed to the hospital. They diagnosed her with low blood sugar and a stomach issue. Then, in my room, they found this expensive designer purse. We asked you to take care of your sister! And youre buying designer bags?

How could you, Riley?! I was confused and told them I didnt know what was going on. Mom and Dad were mad, but they believed me for a second. They said that once Piper woke up, they'd ask her about it.

When she woke up, she said these sweet words Mom and Dad, dont get mad at Riley, its my fault for skipping lunch. And just like that, I became a villain and Piper was the sweet angel. From that day on, I was no longer the apple of my parents eyes. Eight years and three hundred IOUs. That was everything my parents gave me.

I pulled those IOUs out of my pocket, flipping through them. Five thousand dollars. Im a recent high-school grad. How am I going to get that kind of cash in a week?

I started working my tail off. Liam saw me working as a bartender at some night club. It was the only work that paid enough, I had to work during the day. And at night, I could get paid every week. The customers were gross, but I could deal with that.

I was counting the days until I could pay my parents back. To Liam, my job was just another example of my bad choices. He came with some friends, and his eyes zeroed in on me. He grabbed my arm, and a whole tray of drinks shattered on the floor. Riley! What is wrong with you? Piper has been worried sick since you stormed out! And you have to work at a place like this! Dont you have any shame? What about her?

I just stared at the mess on the floor. There went my tip for the night.

Liam was furious. The manager ran over and bowed his head. Mr. Williams, I didnt know this is your friend. The manager then pushed me forward, Apologize to him right now!

Mr. Williams. What a joke. He was looking down at me as if I was trash, I couldnt connect the boy that wanted to spend the rest of his life with me and this spoiled jerk.

He was hopelessly in love with Piper. Just like my parents. Sometimes, I really think that Piper was the main character. And I am the villain. Everyone that cares about me will care about her more, and I cant change that.

Liam continued his rampage of insults and then grabbed a menu, Forget it, her apology isnt worth anything. I know she wants to be a bartender, right? Riley, if you can finish these ten bottles, I will give you 100,000 dollars.

I didnt say anything, I just grabbed a bottle of liquor.

He wanted to see me make a fool of myself. He knew how hard life had been since they put me on a strict budget. I had to go days without eating sometimes to make rent. And he knew that my stomach was messed up, even worse than Piper.

At first, he was there for me, he was ready to take on the world with me, he gave me his lucky charm to help me when I was at my lowest. But then what did he say? He said Just suck it up. You owe Piper for what you did to her.

Ive spent more time with her, and she isnt as bad as you paint her to be.

Riley, she is your sister, there isnt any need to treat her like your enemy.

After the first and second bottles, Liam just watched me with a smirk on his face. But after the third, fourth, and fifth, his face just became darker. Like a robot, I drank the eighth bottle and Liam finally snapped. He grabbed the bottle from my hand and threw it at the wall, shattering it.

He was really mad. Why was he angry? He was the one that wanted me to do this. His lips moved as he asked me Riley, are you killing yourself for money?

And that was the last thing I remember before collapsing.