I cried through the night, the sound of the rain drowning out my sobs, not like I was even trying to hide them.

Somewhere along the line, I had fallen into a dreamless state, that was before the sound from the kitchen pulled me out of the dreamless state.

“get me the eggs” I heard my mum say, her voice light, nothing like how she had been speaking to me of recent

I stood up, I wanted, no needed, to speak with her. the sore feeling not leaving my body as I dragged myself to the kitchen, but I did not let that stop me. There was no way I was going to let that bastard get away with this.

“Any other thing my queen?” he asked, his voice sounding light, very different from how venomous he sounded the night before, I could understand why my mum would find it difficult to believe me, but that did not stop me.

I made my way into the kitchen, looking at them as they were yet to notice my presence.

There they were, looking at each other with love in their eyes, or at least what anyone would think was love.

I stood at the door, holding back the tears. "Hey” it was Allen that noticd me first, looking at me like he had seen a ghost.

“hey baby, you look like you did not sleep well” my mum said, finally noticing me. She removed some eggs that were on the frying pan, handing them to me in a plate, but then I was in no mood for eggs.

"he forced himself on me” I said, pointing to the fucker that stood behind my mum while I looked at my mum, my eyes begging her to believe me, but somehow, deep down, I already knew what was going to happen.

“Letricia!!” mum called, her voice sounding every bit livid, while the horror on her face was one I could not explain… just as I expected. “in front of his daughter?” she called, looking at me with that disappointing gaze.

“but it is true! Mom you have to believe me” I said, shaking as I watched him take a step towards me.

“darling” his voice overly sweet as he walked to me but I took a step back. “why would I do such a thing to you, you know I would never hurt you, I love you just as I love cynth and I would do anything to protect that, to protect you” he said, but I snorted at the bullshit.

“go fuck yourself, you pedo” I said, feeling every bit bitter

“Letricia Campbell!!! I have had enough!!! I want you out of this house, till you're calm enough to think straight because clearly, you are not!!” my mum yelled, I stood, too stunned to speak.

“why did I even think you would have my back?” I said in a humorless laugh, shaking my head to take the tears back.

“fuck you” I said, wiping the tears from my eyes. I don’t need you” I said, through sobs as the betrayal hit me like tons of bricks.

I ran out, not taking a single clothing except the one on my body and an extra in my bag pack, I was not sure what I was going to do, or how I was going to make it work, but all I knew was that there was definitely no way I was coming back here.

^^

Four years

Four bloody years and finally it was over’ I thought to myself as we all threw our caps into the air to show that we were done, I watched the crowd as every one went to hug their loved one that came for their graduation, or took pictures with them, while me? I stood, there, watching. I swallowed, trying not to let the sting of the whole thing affect me.

“hey, are you coming for the after party tonight?” Linda said, pulling me out of my thoughts. I looked at her, forcing a smile, even though I wanted to break down and cry.

“naaa” I said, shaking my head as I pulled the graduation robe, there was no use wearing it if there was no one coming to see it, “ I have some extra shift to cover at the bar tonight” I said, looking at my old phone.

That morning, I had run away with my nightwear and old phone, over the years, I had saved up enough to put myself through school and change it to something decent if I wanted, but the fear that my mum might want to reach out to me stopped me each and every time. But the funny part? She never called.

I looked down at the phone again, hoping, even though I already knew the disappointment that was to happen, I swiped the notification bar.

It was empty

“always working” Linda said, shaking her head unaware of the turmoil I felt inside me while I watched her chug down my excuse, because to her, she did not understand why I had to work so much

Linda had become one of my closest friends and honestly, one of the main reasons I survived College at all. But no matter how close we got, or wanted us to be, I could never get it out of my mind that she and I? Were not of the same world.

I said nothing to her comment, rushing out of the field where our graduation ceremony was held and running to the bar.

“fuck” I muttered, looking at my watch. I was definitely going to get a big talking to if I did not make it on….

I felt myself colliding with a brick wall “can’t you watch where the fuck you are going?” the brick wall spoke, causing me to snap my head up.

Our eyes connected, for a moment, it felt as though I had forgotten how to breathe.

There he was, one of the nightmares of my teenage years standing right in front of me…