TRIGGER WARNING: This chapter contains depictions of abuse. I'll put ** before it, so you can skip it if you'd like.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS what's the worst that could happen to a girl who's already hurt? - lana del rey
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I HUFFED, FEELING A BIT FRUSTRATED as I walked out of the library.
Some of the rules don't make sense — at least, not to me. Why am I not allowed to leave my room at night? Why can't I go outside alone? I'm not a kid! Back at Daddy's house, we didn't even have a curfew or these stupid rules!
But that was back then.
I'm not at my daddy's house anymore. I'm not home. I'm in somebody else's house right now, so I need to respect their rules, whether I like it or not.
Tears prickled at the corners of my eyes as I struggled to hold back my emotions. It hasn't been at least twenty-four hours yet, and I already can't help but feel homesick. I miss daddy. I miss my old bed. I miss my neighbors' dog, even though it keeps barking loudly. I miss being back home.
I angrily wiped my eyes with the back of my hands. I couldn't breathe properly. It's suffocating in here. I need to get out.
I can't stay here right now.
I walked past the hall and returned to the common area, where I saw a couple of familiar faces.
"Hi, I know we just met, but is anyone free right now?" I asked aloud, drawing all of their attention.
No one answered.
"I mean... can someone go out with me?" I asked again. "Accompany me outside." I rephrased.
Again, no one answered.
It was really quiet and they just looked at me like I'm growing two heads. Heat quickly flushed from my neck to my cheeks.
Flustered, I shook my head and began to back away. "Fine. I'll go out alone," I mumbled.
I quickly turned around and walked without paying attention to my surroundings, so I bumped into someone. My face hit their chest hard, making me stumble backward.
"Ow," I whispered and started rubbing on my nose.
"Watch where you're going, sunshine." He said, causing me to blush even deeper with embarrassment.
"Shit, sorry, I didn't see you coming—" I looked up and stopped, realizing that he was the one who told me to find another bathroom. I narrowed my eyes at him and scoffed. "You should fucking watch where you're going!"
The man scowled and walked past me, purposely bumping into my shoulder as he did.
