Born in prison, in love with a cliché.

𝚃 𝚆 𝙴 𝙽 𝚃 𝚈 𝙵 𝙸 𝚅 𝙴

The house only had one floor and beige walls. It was small compared to David's house, but I think most houses are small compared to David's house.

I look at Zach who is staring at the house. His jaw is clenched and I know he's having a hard time right now. So I reach out for his hand and intertwine my fingers with his. He looks down at me and gives me a grateful smile.

"Let's do this thing," I say soft and reassuring. He gives a quick nod and then we start walking to the wooden front door. He knocks twice and a few seconds later, the door swings open.

In front of us is standing a middle-aged woman. I guess she's in her forties. She has dark brown hair, like Zach, that just reaches over her shoulders. When she sees us, she smiles brightly, but the smile doesn't meet her hazel brown eyes. Her eyes are dull like the life has been sucked out of them a long time ago.

"Zach dear." She smiles and pulls Zach in for a hug. He awkwardly returns it and after just a few seconds he already pulls back. He looks back at me, before plastering a fake smile on his face. "Mom this is Davina." He tells her and her eyes fall on me. She scans me for a quick second, her eyes lingering on my necklace before her eyes meet mine. "Well, it's so nice to meet you, Davina." She smiles and I nod along. "Likewise, Mrs. Bryne." I smile politely. "Oh please, call me Sophie." She says.

"Well, come in before we all freeze to death here." She chuckles lightly, stepping out of the way to let us in. Zach goes first, still holding my hand and I follow him. Inside the little hallway, we both hang up our coats and walk further into the dining room/kitchen/living room. It's all cramped together just like at our place, but for some reason, it seems to be more of a mess here.

Inside it smells like cigarettes and cooked chicken. A very weird combination. On the ceiling floats a thin layer of smoke, probably from the man sitting on the old leather couch. While Zach's mother looks a little dressed up for the occasion, this man looks like pure shit. He's smoking a thick cigar, his eyes on the old tv that's playing some weird kind of show.

"Howard honey, Zach, and his girlfriend Davina are here," Sophie says and Howard looks up at Sophie.

I get a glance at his eyes and... that man is scary. His eyes are bloodshot and full of fury. Not very Christmasy.

I can see Sophie straighten her back when she makes eye contact with him. She's terrified. "Dad." Zach interrupts the silence and Howard's eyes fall on us. First Zach and then on me. "Oh, Zach brought a present." He smirks and I have a sudden urge to gag. What a disgusting little man.

He stands up and towers over Sophie. Okay, maybe not a little man but still disgusting.

"I'm g-going to get everybody. The food is already o-on the table." She says quickly before walking to the back door. "Mom! Zach is here, we're going to eat!" She shouts to, probably, the grandmother that lives here then.

My eyes follow Sophie that is now disappearing in the hallway. I can feel Howard's glare burning my skin and I try to look anywhere but at him. My eyes lock with Zach, his eyes full worry but I give him a reassuring smile and squeeze his hand softly.

"I'm here, I'm here. No need to shout goddammit." An old cracky voice says. I almost let out a laugh, that voice is full of sass. It kinda reminds me of-

I look at the backdoor and freeze. Walking into the room is non-other than Lori. The same Lori that helped my mother raise me.

I stand there with wide eyes. I honestly didn't think I'd ever see her again. "Lori?" I ask stunned, it's almost a whisper. I can feel Zach's confusion next to me but I don't focus on that. Lori's eyes land on me and her eyes too grow wide. "My god, Davina Gather!" She almost shouts of joy.