Muted After the Results

I borrowed my mom’s phone to order food because mine was dead. As I typed in the

app, a notification slid down: *“Family Chat – 6 new messages.”* I didn’t mean to

open it. I really didn’t. The first message was from my aunt: *“Did you tell him

yet?”* Then my dad: *“Not until after the results.”* My mom: *“Please

be careful. He’s sensitive.”* My stomach dropped. *Tell me what?* I scrolled.

That’s when I saw it. They weren’t talking about my cousin’s wedding.

Or my grandmother’s health. They were talking about **me**. Apparently,

I wasn’t “underperforming.” I wasn’t “lazy.” I wasn’t “wasting potential.” They’d already decided