[so let the fireworks burst]

part 3//

I woke up screaming. It wasnt real. It wasn't real. It wasn't real.

It was real.

I could taste still feel the burn of the vodka in my throat. I could still sense the stranger's hand around my neck. I pulled the covers back and ran to my parents' room. Not real. Not real. I told myself as my feet pounded the cold wooden floorboards.

Real.

I burst into their room.

"MOM! DAD! I think I just-" I ran up to her and threw my arms around her.

"Sophia Josephine Chen! What in the world do you think you are doing waltzing into rooms without knocking?!", Mother scolded as she uncomfortably dislodged me from herself.

"Wait. What is mother doing home?" I thought, confused. "Isn't she dead?"

"Where's Dad?"

"He went out to rent a car, we're going to New York City to see the fireworks!" she screeched happily.