"Close the door honey." I go back and close it. I sit my school bag on the couch and walk to the kitchen. I find my mom cooking.

"Long day?" She asks once I've sat on one of the counter chairs.

"A horrific day! I asserted I saw some Ghostbusters chasing me."

"Ouu that doesn't sound good at all." She gets out the water jar from the fridge and a cup from the cabinets. "Do tell me about it."

"Nah. I'll pass."

"Remember when you last said that you hid the most crucial information ever?" She pours the clear liquid that has no color, taste or smell, that falls from the clouds as rain, that forms streams, lakes and seas and one of its usage is drinking and pours it inside the clear glass.

"Here." I gulp down the glass within seconds. "Refill?" She lifts the jar.

"No."

"Don't you back down on this."

"I'm not!" I actually was.

"Well then talk!" I can't tell my mother about me sleeping through class or Julie but incident.

"There is this school event that is coming up next week Friday and I would like to go."

"That's what has been bothering you?"

"Yes, thought you'd say no."

"I could but I won't."

"Thank you mama."

"You don't look that relieved."

"Trust me I am" for letting me off the hook.

"Anyways where's dad?"

"He went out."

"Did you work things out?"

"No precisely."

"You talked?"

"Apart from him apologizing to me countless times, no! The air between us was so thick that it made me shiver through every limb."

"Geez that must have been hectic."

"Tell me about it." She repeats her earlier words. She cuts the fresh leaves of lettuce with his favorite purple knife. I reckon she sleeps with it.

"Want to sleep it off?"

"Yea."

"I'll wake you up for dinner." I nod. "Don't you have any school work to complete."

"Nop."

"You do concentrate in class right?"

"Yes. What is with all these questions?"

"I just want to know."

"Fair enough." I stand to go to my room.

"Miss Lynn called me today!"

"And?"

"Like come on Dale, sleeping through class that is so unlike you."

"It's not like that I promise."

"Then how is it like? Cause clearly everyone sees that you've been sleeping a lot. I'm starting to think that you may be depressed or something." Her brows narrow.

"Depressed ha!"

"Yes depressed! You don't talk, you are constantly sleeping, wanting to be alone, irritability, you basically have trouble concentrating."

"No I am okay really mama."

"No you not!" She throws the knife on the chopping board. "It kills me that you won't talk about what's bothering you."

"Nothing is bothering me. I'd tell you if something was." To be honest a lot of things are bothering me. It might be because those men robbed me a month ago or that one time when i was at the wrong place at the wrong time and there was a shooting. The day I went to Julie's street. Sneaky me, I'd make an excellent detective. I did not tell my parents about any of this just didn't see a need to.

"Would you now?"

"Yes."

"Care to explain why the teachers are concerned about you!"

"I don't know it's probably because they have their own dynamics."

"Harsh!"

"Sorry mama."

"Go to your room and think about what you've just said."

"Said I'm sorry."

"Now! I certainly will not condemn any reckless attitude in this house anymore. You hear me?" And we are back at talking about my father.

The rest of the afternoon is spent with me catching up on my school work. I called Marv earlier on and asked him if I could compare my notes to his he agreed.

I'm tired now. I didn't realize that I missed up on this much amount of schoolwork. My back is killing me, I always forget to place the pillow on the chair before I sit. I must admit it felt really good doing what I was supposed too.

I'm officially giving myself permission to focus on me. I didn't realize I had so much on my plate until now. Guess I should break this habit of not talking about my problems or at least start thinking of solutions to resolve them. I'm finally setting myself free from all the constraints unapologetically transformation sounds like a charm!

Why do I feel entitled to a girl who seems unquestionably reserved? I saw how her honey brown eyes withdraw so much vulnerability under her brows. Her small hands against my chest felt magical but she chose to run away not only sobbing but with my heart as well. She took a massive part of it when she ran. I don't want to breath with a quarter of a heart I want to breath wholeheartedly. I've become very unpredictable ever since I met the girl I was meant to tie the knots with I have become more of her than myself. I can't explain this feeling how she screws her eyes shut.

I am not going to run away from my problems like Julie does I'm not like her. I'm courageous I'm going to go one on one like a man. I won't dare talk myself out of not wanting Julie when in fact she consumes my everyday thought. I'm going to chase what belongs to me and me alone. I'm the only light that can light through her cracks I'm more than willing to turn the torch on. I'm not going to give up that easily! Never!

I hear the front door closing.

"Hey Rosa." Why did he come back? I don't hear my mother answering back.

"Look I got you something." I wonder what it is?

"Frank presents would fix what you did. I refuse to be a victim of abuse again!"

"I know and I'm sorry Rosa."

"After all these years of you becoming a better version of you what happened?"

"Talk Frank! I want answers."

"I want to tell you but I can't."

"You can't wow. Is this some kind of sick game to you? Do you take me for a toy train or something?

"No Rosa I'd never."

"Then talk! So you won't answer. You are pathetic really."

"Rosa I want to tell you but if I do I'll..." He sounds worn out.

"You'll what?"

"I'll die."

"What is wrong with you?"

"I'm sorry things have to be this way."

"Don't come near me. You know what I wish you would die right now." She shook with fury surprising all of us. Did she really say that?

"Rosa." His voice comes out as a whisper.

"No Frank I've had it with you. Enough is enough it all stops here."

"Listen.."

"No you listen... Argh" she is wordless with rage, simmering with anger. Waves of fury crash through her. "Just go."

"Rosa listen to..."

"No! I'm tired of listening to lies. Why don't you make our lives easier, man up and talk. I eventually find out."

"I want to Rosa. Please forgive me."

"Forgive you ha! Are you even listening to yourself. Forgive you for what? Hitting me? I should be laying an assault against you instead I'm here still tolerating your nonsense!"

"I'm sorry for hitting you, I'm sorry for the lies, I'm sorry for causing pain to you."

"Get up." Is my dad kneeling down? What is happening in there?