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LEXA STARED AT HER REFLECTION in the mirror, her hands steady as she applied the final touches to her makeup. The dark eyeliner and red lipstick made her hotter than ever but, despite the flawless exterior, there was a hollow feeling in her chest that she couldn't quite shake.
"Hey," Her dad's voice came from the doorway. Lexa looked up, meeting his eyes in the mirror. He gave her a small smile, stepping into the room, "Everything okay? Haven't heard much out of ya."
"Just coasting through," Lexa replied, brushing off his concern. She forced a smile and turned to face him, "You know how it is."
He nodded, though his eyes still held that worried look, "Need a driver tonight?"
Lexa paused, "Only if there's no interrogation."
Before he could press further, the sound of the front door opening and slamming shut made them both jump. Lexa's expression darkened as she heard the familiar, heavy footsteps making their way down the hall.
"Great," Lexa muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes as Chook appeared in the doorway, a cocky grin on his face.
"Oi, Dad," Chook called out, ignoring Lexa completely as he leaned against the doorframe, "Just swingin' by to get that cash we talked about."
Marco sighed, motioning to an envelope sitting on a table in the hallway. Lexa couldn't help the scowl that twisted her lips as she watched the exchange.
"You really need to stop doing this," She said, "He's just going to keep coming back."
And still, he handed Chook the money, giving Lexa a tired look. Though, he spoke softly, almost apologetically, "It keeps him out of the house."
Chook pocketed the cash and shot Lexa a smug look before turning to leave, sneering as he slammed the door behind him, "Catch ya later, sis."
Lexa's hands tightened into fists at her sides, the frustration boiling just beneath the surface. Her dad placed a hand on her shoulder, trying to comfort her, but she shook it off, "You're just giving him what he wants, he's never gonna stop."
He sighed, "But at least this way, he's not around as much."
That wasn't good enough for her.
Lexa stormed out the door, her anger palpable as she confronted Chook, who was counting the money he'd just swiped from their dad, heading for the car, "So you think you can just come around whenever you need cash?"
Chook looked up, his smirk faltering slightly as he met her fiery gaze, "Chill out, Lex. Didn't know it'd cause this much drama."
"Maybe I should be clearer; this isn't just about the money, this is you thinking you can waltz in and out as you please."
"Go cry about it somewhere else," Chook yawned, as Lexa barked, "You really don't give a fuck about anyone do you? But your friends? Your friends who-"
Chook's demeanor hardened as he picked up her insinuation early, "Don't start with that festival shit. It's not like you were the only one who got fucked over. We all have deal with our own shit."
