Alexandrea's P.O.V

The paper fell from my hand. My hands were shaky amd sweaty as the word kept on playing over and over in my head. That was my dad's handwriting. I could recognize it even in my sleep.

There's no way he can come back. He's in prison. And he will rot there, hopefully. But how did the paper and pet get to Luke's jacket?

Then it hit me. The people that beat him up, the ones Bex was talking about. My eyes widened in realization and I started having a throbbing headache. I laid on the bed shivering and staring at the ceiling.

What if he actually comes back? What if he breaks out of prison? Oh God!

The thought of this gave me chills and I stood up, picked up the let and paper then shoved it in the pocket of my hoodie. If he comes back, everything will start again. The torture. The pain. The tears. I hope if he comes back, it's only me he targets. I don't want my mom or anyone as a matter of fact to go through what I went through for 7years. It's too much for her to handle. It's a wonder how I survived it.

"Alex?" A groggy voice called drifting me away from my thoughts. I turned and saw Zoey with contusion written all over her face.

"It's okay. Go back to sleep" I cooed as she still stared at me. She shrugged and went back to sleep. I checked my phone.

3:44am.

I stood up and tiredness washed over me. I didn't sleep at all. I got in the shower and took a nice long bath after brushing my teeth with the spare toothbrush. I pretended my scars weren't there and I was advertising the bar soap. I didn't sing because..... well, I only sing when I'm really happy and that has been a long time. Even though my voice could wake the dead. Yep, it suck that much.

After a few advertisments, I got out and took a spare towel, wrapping it around me. I stood in front of the mirror. Dull blue tired eyes, pale skin and wet pale pink lips. I smiled to make myself look prettier but it was still the same so I checked properly to make sure Zo wouldn't wake up any time soon and wore my clothes from last night. Zoey seems to value her sleep as she just shifted to different weird positions as she slept. I cracked a smile and used to towel to dry my wet hair.

It dried a little so I left it that way. I laid back on the bed to wait for morning when Zo changed her position again. One of her legs was across my neck and her hand was on my abdomen. She must be really flexible for her to be a be able to twist like that. I changed my mind and decided to make breakfast.

I got up and made my way over to their kitchen. It was really clean and organized. I thought of what to make and I started craving waffles instantly. I prepared the ingredients and began cooking. This was the only thing that kept my mind out of everything. It's like my own little world. As I was cooking, I remembered Chef Lily. She always wore a warm smile around Eli. That woman is really judgemental. I'm sure Bex will hate her guts when she sees her. I hope Bex is okay, she was really worn out when we saw her and knowing Bex, appearance matters a lot. And Luke, this is all my fault. Luke is being affected by my father.

I have to stay away if it means he's going to hurt my friends. He can hurt me but he must never hurt my friends. I'm used to it anyway. I wonder what kind of father would be doing this to his own daughter. It's just hurts to see people talk about their parents like 'my dad just bought me a new car for my birthday' and I just wonder. What will I say? 'My father gave me a new scar and more bruises'?.

I finished making waffles for everyone and I kept theirs. I took mine amd sprayed some whip cream on it. I hated strawberries on my waffles so I didn't put any. I sat down and ate then I heard the front door open and close. I became still as I thought of different people that could be entering the house. Maybe it's an armed robber, or a thief, or an assassin. I jumped a little when I saw Nick enter the sitting room.

"Where were you?" I asked him placing a hand on my hip.

"None of your business" he said as he walked to his room.

"Fine then, Mr Jerk pants" I said and grinned internally at the nickname.

"God! You're so annoying" he rolled his eyes and was about to enter the room then he stopped, his eyes glued to my hand. My waffles. I went defensive mode immediately.

"Is that waffles?" He asked as he started walking towards me taking baby steps. I sprung from my seat and began walking backwards to baby steps.

"Yes?"I said and took another step backwards as he took one forward.

"With whip cream?" He asked againas taking another step towards me and I took another backwards.

"Yes" I said.

"Who made it?" He asked if another step forward and I took another backwards.

"My ghost friend that lives in this house" I said giving him a serious look.

"Huh?" He stopped with confusion on his face.

"I made it dummy" I rolled my eyes and stepped back as he stepped forward. My back was supposed to hit the wall but it didn't, it hit an open door instead and I stumbled inside and fell on my back.

"Shit! That hurt" I groaned as I tried to stand up from the floor.

"My baby, are you okay?" Nick rushed towards me and I was touched until I saw him pick up the waffles that fell from my hand during the fall and ate it.

"Nick!! Aren't you going to help me up?" I said giving him a skeptical look.

"Can't you just get up yourself?" He rolled his eyes and walked out of the room. Rude much?. I stood up and dusted my jeans.

I walked back to the sitting room with the plate o my waffles on my hand. I dropped the plate on the sink and stormed over to Nick's room. No one takes my food and gets away with it. NO ONE.

I stood in front of his door and thought about knocking but then I thought, if he can be rude then so can I. I opened the door of his room storming in but a particular smell made me halt. The room was slightly smoky and it wasn't clear.

He smokes? Nicholas smokes??

I coughed and squinted my eyes to look for Nick. It looked like he found me because a dark figure emerged from the smoke waving his hands to clear his view.

"Nick?" I coughed again and he held my hand and dragged me out of his room.

"Haven't you heard of personal space? Why the hell would you enter my room without knocking?" He almost yelled at me and I looked down to find out of those large cigarettes from movies in between his fingers.

"You smoke?" Was the only thing was able to bring out.

"Is that a problem?" He said unbelievably because after his speech about me entering his room without knocking, that was what I could say.

"Of course! yes! it's a problem. What if you get lungs cancer or any type of cancer for that matter? How do you think Daisy or even Zo will feel? Do you want to leave them alone in this world after your death? Why are you so selfish?! God! You've got people that care about you and you endanger yourself? What if you become addicted? I just don't get why people smoke? Why do you do it huh? Why?" I said to him. "Because something bad happened doesn't mean it's the end of the world" I muttered.

"I'm going to say this again and this will be the last time. Do not ever poke your nose in my business" he growled out. "If I smoke or drink or do anything, it doesn't concern your pathetic self. Just because something bad happened to you that gave you those ugly scars doesn't mean it's the same for everyone else. So just don't lecture me about how I should live my life. Just stay the hell away from me" He said and walked back to his room. I crumbled to the ground and tears pricked the corner of my eyes threatning to come out.

Ugly scars..

Pathetic self..

He is right. My life is a mess and I'm trying to advise him on how to live his.

I took a deep breath and sat Indian style on the couch. Just staring at the old clock above the TV. Wishing it'll be full morning soon so I can leave. He wants me to stay away so I'll stay away.

Nicholas's P.O.V

Guilt. That was the only thing I felt immediately I got back to my room. I locked the door and sat on my bed. I suddenly didn't feel like smoking anymore. I opened the windows and went back to sitting on the edge of the bed. I dropped the Cigar in the bin.

After Alex told Eli and I what Bex said she saw, I freaked out. I couldn't bear the thought of anyone finding out what I do for a living and where I got the money. The people I work with do not know any of my relations, friends or family. So maybe, it was better for Alex. She is trying to know too much and I can't afford that. Maybe it better that she stays away. It's for her own good anyway.

The smell of tobacco had died down a little but I left the window open anyways. I pulled off my boots and laid in bed facing the ceiling with my hands folded on my chest. I closed my eyes for some minutes but I just couldn't sleep.

Is Alex okay? What if she did something stupid like killing herself after what I said?

"Fuck it!" I groaned and gave up on resisting. I stood up and opened my door a little giving me the view of the sitting room such that the back of the couch was facing me. I released a breath I didn't know I was holding as I saw the back of her head with her on the couch. It seemed like she was just staring ahead, at the clock I think.

I held myself from going to apologise to her and decided it was best if she stayed away. I closed the door quietly and laid back on my bed, closing my eyes. Then I remember Luke, I'm not that close to him but I do talk to him sometimes. Does this mean that one of Venom's men saw Luke with me and decided to use him as a threat? Because only Venom's men would wear all black and beat someone else up to get what they want. I doubt Venom or any of his men had seen me in school with anyone before.

So if wasn't Venom, who could it be?

×××××××××××
24/6/2020