Mei POV:
*ding* *dong* *ding *dong*
The bell rang, signalling that school had come to an end. Everyone in class got up and did the usual end-of-the-day routine. It should've been relatively simple, yet, from the corner of my eye, I noticed someone mess it up.
...This is what happens when you skip too much.
As I grabbed my bag, one of my friends approached me and asked, "Hey, what are you planning on doing after school, Mei?"
"I was thinking about going home and studying for finals. Why do you ask?" I responded with my usual cheer.
My friend groaned. "Ughhh, again? Well, we were thinking about going to the mall for a little bit, but if you're busy, it's fine if you can't go."
This was the third time I'd avoided them this week. It wasn't because I hated them or didn't want to hang out with them—Father just didn't let me hang out during exam week. He believed I should spend all my time studying. But they didn't need to know that.
I let out a small giggle. "Yeah, sorry, but I don't think I can go. Maybe next time over the summer, is that okay?"
"Okay! Just let me know!"
That seemed to make her feel better.
Good.
As she and I began discussing our summer break schedule, I noticed the same person in the corner of my eye watching me from the classroom exit. I snuck him a glance, making eye contact for a split second.
He gave me a small nod, and so did I.
After that, he left the classroom, and I turned my full attention back to my friend. We continued talking as we exited class, changed into our outdoor shoes, and walked out the school gate.
"Okay, see you tomorrow, Mei!" she shouted from a distance, waving me goodbye.
I gave her a small wave back. "Yes! See you tomorrow!"
With that, we both turned around and headed our separate ways. Even so, my cheery smile never dropped. I had to be ready just in case I ran into someone I knew or if someone spotted me from where I wasn't aware of.
I glanced at my surroundings as I walked home. The sun burned in the clear blue sky, shining down on the world below. It truly was the epitome of summer. The grass was an impossible green as it swayed in the wind, the riverbank glistened, and even the people I passed seemed all the more chipper.
It was a warmth that people would never forget.
What a beautiful day…
Time passed as I took in my surroundings. Before I even realized it, I was facing the front door to my house.
I could physically feel the cold air leaking out the front door, tainting the summer warmth.
I took my keys out, unlocked the door with a *click*, and stepped inside.
"I'm home!" I said automatically, like any other Daughter.
No one returned my greeting. The only thing that welcomed me was a suffocating silence and a dull, grey living room. It was as though the warmth of summer had ceased to exist.
I closed the door behind me. The final rays of light through the crack in the front door thinned until they disappeared. Only then did I let my cheery smile fade.
I'm home…
I mechanically took off my shoes and climbed the stairs. The moment I reached the upstairs hallway, I heard the faint sound of running water from my parents' bathroom. Hidden within the running water—was muffled crying.
She's crying again…
This had been happening for as long as I could remember. Every time I arrived home from school, Mom was usually crying in the washroom. She tried to turn the sink on to mask the sound, but it never worked.
...Father must have hurt her again today.
Father left for work at around 8:30 in the morning. It was 3:30 by the time I got home. Mom had been in there for seven hours.
...I'll give her some space.
I held my breath as I sneaked through the hallway and into my room. There wasn't a single *thud* or *click* as I closed the door. No one in the house would know I was home.
I stared at the door for just a little longer. When nothing happened, I began changing out of my uniform and into a more comfortable set of clothes, such as baggy white sweat pants and an oversized black hoodie.
Just as I finished, I heard the doorknob twist from behind me. With the smallest crack from the door, a foul odour filled the room. My body tensed immediately, and my lips curled upward before I could even think.
"Hello, Mei—oh, were you changing?" A deep, raspy voice came from behind me.
I turned around and greeted him with a smile. "No, I just finished, so it's good timing."
The corners of his lips twitched ever so slightly, but I didn't fail to catch it.
"Anyway," I said, "What are you doing here, Uncle?"
Uncle let out a dry laugh. It wasn't loud enough to attract Mom's attention, but it was enough to cause a chill to run down my spine.
The laugh slowly died down. A heavy silence hung over the room.
Uncle lowered his head slightly, a dark shadow looming over his face. His eyes contained a glint of something I couldn't name—something that made my stomach turn, causing a wave of dread to rise in my throat. It took everything I had to keep it down.
His lips parted, and he spoke in a low, almost threatening tone. "Mei… are you doing anything right now?"
I gripped my wrist. "Sorry, Uncle, but I have to study for exams."
A crease seemed to form on his brow.
I knew that wouldn't be enough to make him leave. So, I took a quick breath that pierced my lungs and added, "It's my third year. If I don't get first this year, Father would get really mad at me…"
Uncle shuddered violently, the glint in his eyes disappearing just as quickly as it came. "O-oh, I see! You make a good point…"
He took hurried steps back until he was out of my room. He grabbed the doorknob and began to close the door, but before it closed completely, he muttered something under his breath.
"Then, I'll see you after exams, Mei."
The door closed, and my room was once again enveloped in nothing. I slowly let go of my wrist—and let out a shaky breath.
Yet, even in my isolation, I wasn't safe. Uncle's words from earlier continued to haunt me, echoing over and over again, the world blurring.
"Then, I'll see you after exams, Mei."
My legs suddenly went weak.
No… I don't want this…
They gave out, and I collapsed onto my bed. I slowly stretched my hand towards the ceiling. It was… trembling.
What am I supposed to say to him next time?
What do I do during summer break?
How am I supposed to avoid him?
Do I just go out every day?
I bit my lip.
No, that won't work; he'd just wait until I get home.
Can Mom help me?
No, he'd just wait for her to lock herself away again.
I pressed my hands tight against my face, my nails digging into my skin.
Is there… nothing I can do?
Do I just… have to accept this?
My body convulsed on the bed at the mere thought.
No…
NO! NO! NO!
I don't want that!
I…
My hands slid off my face and sank into the mattress. My whole body began to slowly sink into the cushions.
...No.
Mustering everything I had left in me, I rolled over, and that was when I felt it—my phone in my pocket.
I… don't want to be at home.
I dug my hand in the gap between the bedsheet and my pants and reached out for my phone. My arm strained as I struggled to pull it free, but finally—I did.
I turned it on and opened my messages with him. I knew I shouldn't bother him; he was out with his friends right now. I knew I should wait, and yet… my thumbs moved on their own.
He read the text immediately. Something… bloomed in my chest when I saw how fast he opened it.
A reply came shortly after.
As with almost all his texts—it was horribly misspelled, but that was fine. I sent a hurried reply.
For some reason, a smile crept onto my face. Without thinking, I sent the next message.
For the first time, he didn't respond right away. Then, a minute passed. Still, there was no need to panic. After all...
He wouldn't leave me like that.
As if confirming my thoughts, a reply came.
He left the chat, but it was fine.
I gripped my phone tighter as I read his message over and over. A minute passed. Then ten. Then an hour.
I pressed my phone against my chest and closed my eyes.
I… can't wait to see you.