The back wheels let out a feeble squeak as Beth pushed the trolley along the aisle floors. Past her sandy brown bangs, her large eyes skimmed the shelves of stocked baking supply goods, zeroing in on where the premium brand of corn syrup lay.

The 10% off sticker almost seemed to be winking at her from where it was firmly plastered onto the jar and who was she to deny it? Her hand stretched forth to grab two jars. Hell, maybe she'd even drop some of the cabbage she bought to get a third jar. Corn was a vegetable, wasn't it?

At the last second, she stopped. Recently, Reece would chasten her about how she needed to quit filling up her meals with overpriced 'gutter milk' as he liked to call it. She normally paid no mind, knowing he simply meant well but with him flying off for volunteering soon, she wanted to avoid making him irritated.

Begrudgingly, Beth withdrew her hand and trudged onward. Interrupting her course to the checkout, was a gentle buzz from her tote bag. She retrieved her phone and as she briefed the name flashing on the screen, an uncontrollable grimace crept onto her lips.

"Hey, mum," she said into the speaker.

"Are you done?" Her mother's perky voice rang out of the other end, wasting no time on returning greetings.

It hadn't been even up to an hour since Beth left the admissions' office- the timing was too convenient, no doubt the woman had organised for Dean Logan to report back immediately. The showers of praises and inquiries on her mother every five minutes in between was enough to guess he had a hard on.

"Yeah, all done," said Beth.

"And...?"

"And... It. Was. Great." She slowly enunciated each of the three words, hoping it would magically fill in for the lack of much else to say.

It seemed to do the job, her mother still sounding just as up-beat as she pressed. "Did he mention the apartment?"

"He did." It was more than a mention, the man had practically tried to shove the keys into her hands. "But, don't you think it's a bit much to not even be paying full rent? Some dorm's are still available and I'd save money on gas."

"And have you subjected to some measly unit with a complete stranger? Absolutely not."

Contrarily, Beth was hopeful for such a setting. The nightmares had started occurring again and sleeping with company usually helped ward it off. The last couple of nights home alone were hard enough to endure with her mother working overtime but if an issue challenged the job that enabled their cosy lifestyle, her mother turned a blind eye.

"Besides, Logan's told me plenty of times the place is just packing dust since the split and the lease is still valid for another several months. You'd honestly be doing him a favour," her mother insisted. "Also, normally the building manager is quite strict on tenants at least having a respectable career under their belts. So there won't be any unscrupulous neighbours to deal with and you can focus on your studies in peace, no matter the time. Isn't that wonderful?"

Beth mulled it over; subletting into an apartment building belonging to her mother's worshipper that's owned by a snob who hates young, jobless people for an entire semester. Yep, just wonderful.

Beth took a deep breath. She had to say it, it was now or never. "Mum."

"Yes, darling?"

"I don't think I want to go to Verdant. At least, not this year."

Dead air filled the other line. "... And why not?" Any trace of that previous warmth was inconceivable now.

The change was so sudden, it triggered a stutter. "B-B-Because, I-"

"Don't tell me you're still hung up on that internship thing."

Beth swallowed. She had been careful not to even utter the word intern in her mother's presence for a month but it was clear the woman certainly knew her well.

Beth's silence was enough to confirm it, rendering a long sigh. She could all too easily picture her mother taking off her tortoise shelled glasses and rubbing her temples.

"Well, you've still got time. Think it over."

Beth couldn't say another word before the bleak hum of the call ending bled out of the phone. She knew her mother quite well too and she knew when the phrase "Think it over" was used, it meant Beth had better do as she was told- or else.

**

Beth only remembered she'd missed the forecast that morning when the sky suddenly started to pour.

The material of her sweatshirt was rather thin and generally being in no rush to return to an empty house, waiting for her mother to berate her, Beth took a detour. Close by, she came across a hotel named StarLite to wait out the downpour and hurriedly rushed in through the revolving doors. A spacious lobby and indoor heating greeted her. As she looked around, there were only two bystanders. The first was the receptionist, a middle aged woman slouched over the marble desk looking like she wanted to be anywhere but here. Then stood by the corner, a few steps shy from the row of lifts was a man in his late forties, focused on lighting the cigarette between his lips. Neither seeming to acknowledge the drenched girl at the furthest end.

The rain rumbled, droplets noisily pelting the deserted streets outside and showing no signs of clearing soon, Beth resolved to turn to her phone to bide the time. Fortunately, a few of her friends who weren't stressed out on waiting to hear replies from several of the universities they'd applied to had hopped online, welcoming idle chatter.

Well, the first two. The minute Siddh Pravesh joined the group chat, he would set out on changing the topic to brag about whatever feat he'd accomplished. Like getting elected as class president, running a marathon, 'almost' winning the lottery- yes, Beth still didn't entirely understand that story, nor did she care. Then if there was nothing to brag, he would be nosey.

On this occasion, it was sadly the latter.

So, a little birdie told me, you got called in by Verdant for an interview with their dean of admissions?

Beth cursed under her breath. God, she just couldn't catch a break. As far as her friend's were aware, she had simply applied to the university after consultation with her mother, a top graduate and that was as far as Beth wanted to keep it. It wasn't like everyone wasn't already pasting it in the Yearbook Beth was most likely to be a carbon copy of her only parent and maybe it was a rebellious phase, but it made her feel more inclined to reject it.

Now, as feared, the rest were following suit to start badgering her for details.

Begrudgingly, Beth replied: Fine

The response from the busybody was instant: Fine? Jesus, this was THE Verdant you were being interviewed for and not Burger King, right?

Beth rolled her eyes. If there was a reason she was against her mother's choice, it was the thought of having her college years following the pattern of high school spent with the crude comments and overzealous competitiveness to outshine Beth at anything.

Beth was already itching to exit the chat, but Siddh would hassle her to no end for an answer, like her mother. To no surprise, the pair got along extremely well. If not for Reece, her mother would've probably tried to marry Beth off to the tool.

The thought alone sent shivers down her spine and she shook off the dreadful images. The nightmares might claim her sleep, but they would not rob her of the daytime too.

Before she knew it, the conversation had turned into a barrage of her friends advising her to just settle on Verdant. Understandably so, hesitating made no sense to people like them. People who spent months agonising over rejection letters turning up in their mail, separated from their significant others, tuition fees and so on. While she was Beth Kennedy; straight A student, valedictorian and daughter of a solicitor who had many connections to line up a personal interview with the best universities just like that.

Beth could read between the lines of what they were saying loud and clear. She was taking her privileges for granted. She should've recognised how lucky she was and think of others who weren't as fortunate to have such an opportunity. Beth had heard it over and over since graduation from her mother, teachers and even nosey neighbours.

Beth knew they were all right too. So why the hesitating? Well, Reece had asked her just that the other day and she quickly fed him some lame excuses. She'd hated lying, but after hearing the disdain in her mother's voice, there was no chance in hell her selfish wish would come true. So there was no point telling anyone about it. They'd probably laugh or get angry.

Her mother wasn't particularly opposed to an internship for a teacher program. She'd originally taken it into consideration until learning which school Beth had personally requested to be enlisted in to carry out the course.

Stetwood Fey.

A junior high school with no outstanding records or ranking located in a little town by the same name. The very place Beth's had spent the greater length of her childhood.
There weren't many days she could recall of it now, being no older than the tender age of ten when she'd left but Beth would never forget the happiness she felt. Back then, her mother didn't have a hectic work ethic, she had a doting husband instead and Beth had a father rather than countless men who came and went out the door monthly. Every moment was bliss and most of all, Beth had them.

At the sudden gust of wind that billowed, Beth reeled from her thoughts to sight the revolving doors in action. A figure ascended into the lobby, the bright shade of pink stole Beth's attention before taking in the rest of the newcomer. Her slender frame was wrapped in a bomber jacket, the matching set of pink suitcases had both arms cradled. Yet, she managed to artfully squeezed herself and the overflow of luggage in one go to the front desk. The receptionist regarded her with a raised brow, seeming just as impressed.

For someone caught in such hellish weather, she made it all seem like a runway with how she gracefully leant over. The girl swiftly pushed back her hood, revealing a crown of shiny, night black hair in ringlets that cascaded down her back.

At taking in her face, Beth stilled. She watched the girl speak to the receptionist, her figure was caught under the florescent lights right above as though it were a beacon. Not an inch of the dark brunette was hidden from highlighting the large dip of her heart shaped lips, the bold shade of her almond brown eyes and down to the beauty mark by her left cheek.

An indescribable feeling swelled up in Beth's chest, she could barely contain it from making her choke on the air, her fingers trembling and any former train of thought erased. Excluding one, single remnant that grew the longer Beth kept staring at the impossible. It just couldn't be. What she was seeing had to be an illusion.

Yet, Beth's body didn't care for logic. As the receptionist handed the girl a key card, it was like Beth was pulled by a string to follow. It was only after she stepped in front of the girl's path to the lifts, that Beth realised she hadn't thought through what she would do next and blurted, "Hi."

Those brown eyes rounded, evident confusion reflected in them. The girl didn't return it but wore a small smile. Beth's heart lurched, even the smile was uncanny to the one she'd known years ago. Inviting, but ultimately deceptive.

"Do you need something?" Hearing her voice up close, there was an air of authority to it and shameless scrutiny in how she upturned her nose as if Beth were a mere child.

With the three seconds passing in complete silence, Beth knew this would officially be entering into awkward territory. So she went for the first thing she could think of before the woman slipped away, "Can I help you with those?"

The girl glanced to her luggage that Beth pointed at, brows pinched. Her pretty eyes raked over Beth's damp sweatshirt and high waist pants. "Sorry, do you work here?"

"Uh... no," Beth admitted. She pushed on a nervous smile.

The girl held her stare for a moment, bemusement vivid and clear. Then she shrugged. "Okay, whatever."

It was all so brisk when a pair of suitcases were pushed to Beth's chest, instinctively cradling them before they fell to the floor. The girl broke into a fast stride, not offering more than a fleeting glance but it was all Beth needed. She secured a tight grip on each handle, hurriedly dashing to the parting silver doors.