I don’t believe this. He didn’t want me to come down to Boston earlier. What happened? What changed?

 

Dad mumbles over the phone, “Of course you are welcome to come back. It’s just—I think you should spend more time with your mom. When was the last time you visit her? Maybe this is a great chance for you to bond.”

 

I don’t buy that. “How long do you want me to stay here?”

 

He falls into silence.

 

My mouth goes dry. And my heart is falling into a bottomless pit. After a long wait, I decide to make this easier for him. “Dad. What is the real reason?”

 

Another painful silence. He finally speaks up.

 

“…Hallie wants to move in with me.” His voice so low. Almost hard to catch up, “I thought it might be awkward if you two are both here at the beginning.”

 

My mind went completely blank.

 

I don’t know what to think, nor what to say. But I guess my reaction doesn’t really matter to these people anyway.

 

“So, this is it?” I grip the phone till my knuckles turn white, “You are kicking me out because you want to please your girlfriend?”

 

“No!” Dad’s voice is squeaky, seems like he’s trying to hide the guilt, “I’m just afraid that you’d be uncomfortable. And I talked to your mom, Boston has better education. Maybe you’ll have a greater chance getting into a better college if you stay there.”

 

So mom is in this too. And it’s a long-term plan.

 

Oh yes. Just looking out for me. As they have always been.

 

When they first got divorced, mom also kindly suggested me go to Miami with my dad because she was afraid that I would be “uncomfortable” here.

 

And the same excuse again.

 

I am a soccer ball to them? They can just kick me aside whenever they don’t want me around?

 

Dad calls my name, “This is up to you really. If you want to

 

quietly hang up

 

put away my phone and walk out of the room. Mom

 

She comes to me, “About his girlfriend

 

and ask through my clenched teeth, “Have you ever thought of what I

 

Her eyes are filled with tears and

 

out of the

 

drain; I wanted to go back to Miami, but I was kicked out; my mom and

 

Guess I am homeless.

 

town. The bus bumps up and down for more than two hours. I cry and fall asleep during the trip.

 

kid!” The

 

myself nearby a city park. Through the woods I can vaguely see the sea. It’s getting dark now. Might not be a good idea going into

 

and start to question the point of this runaway. It’s silly. Can I really live a life on my own without ever returning? I have exactly $529 on my account, which can’t

 

things. What have I done to deserve this

 

and find a ton of missing calls:

 

mom

 

on the bench and gaze blankly into the air. Maybe I’ll go back and suck up with whatever plans

 

find a group of drunk men coming around the corner. They are pretty wasted, I can smell the vodka as they approaching me. It’s an open

 

the men spotted me, “What

 

up, ducking my head down to avoid eye

 

them to get lost. But today isn’t my lucky day. Heavy footstep tags along as they keep teasing me with

 

all burst

 

pocket in search of my phone and call someone. The phone slips through my fingers during the chaos.

 

I scream, “Get away from

 

of my hands and presses my body against the tree. I start yelling for help, but he covers my mouth to muffle my words. “This one is feisty. I

 

friends chortle and gather

 

shivering. I tried the kicking and biting, but none of those works. These

 

never thought of this even in my worst nightmare. Desperate eating me alive. I bite my tongue till copper taste fills my mouth, as tears drop down my cheeks and falls

 

shouts in excitement,

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