Chapter 7: I Finally Chose Myself

The first week at NYU passed in a blur.

I threw myself into classes, joined a small study group, and found a quiet apartment near campus.

For the first time in years, every decision I made belonged to me.

No one asked me to give up my seat for Isabela.

No one compared my grades to hers.

No one expected me to apologize for taking up space.

It should have felt lonely.

Instead, it felt like breathing after being underwater for too long.

Then, one afternoon, I received an email from the university.

Congratulations, Alejandra Navarro.

You have been selected for the freshman research fellowship.

I stared at the screen in disbelief.

The fellowship came with a generous scholarship, a research position, and a chance to work directly with one of the university's most respected professors.

It was the kind of opportunity I had once been afraid to dream about.

I accepted immediately.

That evening, I went out alone and bought myself a small cake from a bakery near campus.

I sat by the window, smiled at the single candle, and whispered that I was proud of myself.

Then my phone buzzed.

It was an unknown number.

I almost ignored it.

But the message made my heart stop.

Alejandra, this is Mom. Please call me.

I had blocked her number weeks ago.

She must have used someone else's phone.

Another message appeared.

Your father and I know you are angry, but this has gone too far.

Then came a third.

Isabela has been crying every night because she thinks you hate her.

I stared at the words without replying.

For eighteen years, whenever Isabela cried, I was expected to fix it.

This time, I didn't.

A few minutes later, another message appeared.

Santiago is here with us.

My fingers tightened around the phone.

I hadn't spoken to Santiago since the day I left California.

The next message came from him.

You really changed your college without telling me?

I laughed bitterly.

He sounded offended, as if I had betrayed him.

I typed one sentence.

You changed your future for Isabela without telling me.

The typing bubble appeared immediately.

Then disappeared.

Then appeared again.

Finally, his reply arrived.

You're making this bigger than it is.

I looked at the cake sitting in front of me.

For once, I didn't feel like arguing.

I simply blocked the number.

That night, I slept better than I had in years.

The next morning, my professor called me into his office.

He placed a thick folder on the desk.

I have something interesting for you.

Inside was a research proposal involving a prestigious summer program in Boston.

Your work is unusually strong, he said. If you keep this up, you could have a real shot at the program.

I looked down at the folder.

Boston.

Another city.

Another opportunity.

For the first time, the idea of leaving somewhere didn't scare me.

I had spent my whole life waiting for my family to choose me.

Now I finally understood something.

I didn't need to be chosen.

I could choose myself.