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?

 

to you

 

hang

 

Mom is standing in the hallway, twisting

 

She comes to me,

 

grip my first and ask through my clenched teeth, “Have you ever thought of what I want? Why do you have

 

filled with tears and sadness. But I

 

rush out of

 

thought I could stay with Zack when I came here, but that plan went to drain; I wanted to go back to Miami, but I was kicked out; my mom and that fancy townhouse shut the door on me long ago, so I don’t really

 

Guess I am homeless.

 

wander around aimlessly and end up on a bus going out of town. The bus bumps up and down for more than two hours. I cry and fall asleep during the trip. When I wake up again, the bus has

 

The driver shouts at

 

city park. Through the woods I can vaguely see the sea. It’s getting dark now. Might not be a

 

this runaway. It’s silly. Can I really live a life on my own

 

smash things. What have I done to deserve this

 

it out and find a ton

 

believe mom

 

go back and suck up with whatever plans they’ve made for me. But tonight, just tonight, I want to

 

group of drunk men coming around the corner. They are pretty wasted, I can smell

 

of the men spotted me, “What are you doing

 

up, ducking my head down to avoid eye contact, and hurry down

 

today isn’t my lucky day. Heavy footstep tags along as they keep teasing me with whistles and dirty jokes.

 

burst into

 

call someone. The phone slips through my fingers during the chaos. I crouch down to find it. But someone suddenly grasps my shoulder from

 

“Get

 

I start yelling for help, but he covers my mouth to muffle my

 

chortle and

 

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

 

thought of this even in my worst nightmare. Desperate eating me alive. I bite my tongue till copper taste fills my mouth, as tears

 

crying!” someone shouts in excitement, “Go gentle

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