Missy sits in front of us, talking about god knows what, I'm not listening, until I hear my name.

"What?" I look up from my delicious plate of spaghetti, this restaurant is really nice, I've never gone to one like it before.

Sin scoffs, "So she is alive."

Under the table, I stomp on his foot, leaving him to wince.

"Aw, I'm sorry, did that hurt?" I batter my eyelashes at him and pull a pouty face before laughing sarcastically and turning my attention back to Missy.

She talks about when I turn eighteen, which is in April, so I'm surprised she's mentioning it now, seeing as it's two weeks to December.

I nod, listening but not really caring, adult services is boring.

"Oh, also, you both get driving lessons soon, under our protection thing. It's a new rule we are trying out with our company, to give the birds flying the nest a chance to have a vehicle. Only a few people have been chosen, to trial this rule, and if all goes well it's official."

Spaghetti falls from my mouth, which is really disgusting, I know, but I'm gobsmacked.

"You're disgusting." Sin says, his eyebrows furrowed.

I roll my eyes, we've became slightly more friendly but it still pisses me off that he has a need for commentary on every single thing I do.

"Bite me."

He shrugs, "Having a break from eating pussy."

The revolted look on Missy's face is enough to entertain anyone, and a giggle escapes my mouth, a horrific noise I've been making more and more since I me- I mean since I started college.

"There goes your social life." I wink at him, before again turning back to Missy.

"Sorry," I bite my lip, "but what kind of vehicle?"

My eyes light up, and she instantly knows what I mean.

"I don't know... Lina, they are dangerous."

I roll my eyes.

"So are cars! I love motorbikes, and I used to have one illegally; thats more dangerous than having it by the law! And I've had lessons, mainly, so all I'd have to do is my test. Pleaseeeeee?"

I never beg anyone, which means Missy should be able to understand just how badly I want this. Sin chews on his chip, clearly entertained by this factor, but I decide for once to let it slide.

She coughs and then nods. "I'll see what I can do."

"Welcome to mealtime with Missy, where she's grown too attached and can't say no!" Sin says into his hands, pretending its some kind of microphone or speaker thing.

I roll my eyes, he thinks he's so hilarious sometimes.

Missy chuckles and begins to speak to him, I always thought I was her favourite but now I've seen her with Sin it's like they have some unexplained connection.

I sit and finish my spaghetti, still admiring this restaurant. Growing up in care homes isn't that bad, but it's not particularly luxurious like my stuck-up college and this beautiful restaurant.

My phone buzzes violently.

"Excuse me." I say, before grabbing my phone and walking outside the restaurant.

Lina: Hello?
Arianna: Hey bitch! Guess who?
Lina: Hmmm, give me a hint.
Arianna:Sexy, Fun to spend time with....
Lina: Hmm. Yungblud?
Arianna: You're fucking kidding me.
Lina: No, I'm deadly serious. Anyway, what do you want?
Arianna: Love you too. Rhiannon and I want a girls night, be at my room at 7.
Lina: Yes sir.
Arianna: Love you.
Lina: Bye

I end the phone and head back inside, taking my seat once again at the table.

"Who was that?" Missy asks.

If it was Sin, I would've told him it was none of his business, but as it was Missy I'll be..nice.

"Rhiannon and this girl named Arianna. They want a 'girls night'." I tell her, using my fingers when I say girls night, and clearly Missy is shocked that I have friends, which I'm unsure as to whether or not I should take offence to.

Missy smiles at me.'"That's great, Cat! I'll drop you and Sin off now so you can get ready, we paid at the start so we can leave anyway!"

"Miss you don't have to, it's fine..." I cough awkwardly, I hate when people have to change and adapt their plans to suit my needs.

She shakes her head, insisting, and we begin to pack up our things.

**********
I stand in the mirror. I've put my hair in a messy bun, and got in my onesie, because I know tonight will consist of movies and alcohol for them, and weed for all of us.

I've removed any makeup I was wearing, and have replaced it with lipgloss and curling my eyelashes. I don't need to make an effort, and anyway, I really don't give a shit about what people think of me, or I try not to.

My bag is packed, I haven't brought much. I sit on my bed and look at the time, I don't need to leave yet, not for ages actually.

I look at my guitar, it's been too long since I've focused on my songwriting and I must make sure I do so soon.

"Lina, do you want some Nutella toast?" Sin asks me, standing in the kitchenette.

I bite my lip, thinking, then nod and he gets to work on making them.

I turn my laptop on and load up an episode of Modern Family, because why the fuck not? I don't know why I like it, it's not up my street but I'm bloody obsessed.

Sin comes and sits on my bed, with two plates both containing Nutella toast, one for me and one for him. I go to say something, but I hesitate, then bite my lip and press play.

He lays down on his stomach beside me, and we watch Modern Family in silence.

*************
Arriving at Arianna's, I was forced to meet a new person: her roommate. Her roommate is named Dahlia, she is very girly but very shy and timid. Arianna describes her by saying 'she wouldn't hurt a fly'.

We've made a sort of den on the floor, and we are currently sitting on it, scrolling through Netflix, as Arianna and her roommate have a TV.

Dahlia is joining us tonight, as Arianna felt bad leaving her out. Arianna is too nice, I don't know how she does it.

I fiddle with my gold bracelet, knowing my madre will be watching me, proud of how far I've come.

Mi pequeña mariposa, incluso cuando me haya ido, extiendes tus alas, ¿de acuerdo?

My little butterfly, even when I'm gone, you spread your wings, okay?

I remember her saying that to me, a few days before the tumor ate her alive. She had never called me her little butterfly before, but she loved butterflies so much, so I think she knew I would be comforted by it.

"Cat? You want a joint?" Arianna looks up at me, and I nod.

"Always."

She laughs before handing me one and a lighter. Dahlia has blue WKD, Rhiannon is drinking Peach Schnapps and lemonade, Arianna is drinking vodka and I'm here with a joint.

Sometimes my lack of care and interest for alcohol makes me feel slightly, well, separated from my peers, but I am not ready to drink myself, not yet, because I fear I'll be as bad as him when I do.

We choose to watch a horror, I don't know the name of it but it is really good, about some kid that got attached this doll, like when they tried to damage the doll the same cuts and bruises would appear on the child.

"She reminds me of you, Cat." Arianna says as she stuffs her face with popcorn.

I look at the psychotic child on the screen, then back at my crazy friend.

"Thanks?"

She beams, "your welcome!"

We watch another movie, then I have a few more joints.

Rhiannon, Arianna and I talk about random shit, mainly what's going on with Rhiannon and Brandon.

The talk of relationships bores me, so I scroll through my phone. I see that I have a few messages, so I decide to open them, as I have nothing else to do.

Missy: Guess who's booked you a crash course and test ;)

Patrick: Need you to sell ❄️ tomorrow. Call me in the evening, yeah?

Sin: hey, r u coming bk home ? wanna lock the door from inside but if your coming bk then don't wanna lock u out.

I reply to Missy with a huge thank you message, I'm not normally this nice but I fucking am so excited and grateful, and she deserves to see that after going through an extent to get me them.

I send a thumbs up to Patrick, and set a reminder to call him tomorrow, because knowing me I'll
forget.

Then, I message Sin and tell him I'm planning on coming back soon, I just need to charge my phone a bit cause of it's like 3am, and believe it or not I don't have a death wish.

Sin: ur not walking home alone, surely ?
Lina: what's wrong w that
Sin: it's 3am and your female, and we're on a college campus.
Lina: sorry mum 🥱
Sin: i'll see you in five minutes outside arianna's dorm
Lina: what?
Sin: bye x

I stare in confusion at our messages, and a bit angry. I don't need a fucking escort, I'm not some weak little fragile girl anymore, I'm convinced I would be able to stand up for myself. Also, Arianna's room isn't near ours, so how is he going to get here in five minutes? What's he going to do, run?

Arianna and Rhiannon look at me, expectedly.

Shit, did they ask me something?

"Ummm. Yes. Yes you should." I nod eagerly, to be responded by Rhiannon.

"That's what I said! I said she should go for it, but she still thinks the girls straight, but she won't know unless she asks, will she?"

I nod, grateful that I answered correctly.

A buzz from my phone interrupts my train of thoughts and our short lived conversation.

Sin: hey i'm here, come outside x

"Okay, I'm going to get going..." I grab my coat and they nod, I had already explained I wasn't staying the night, Rhiannon understands that my panic attacks have been worse recently and Arianna is kind enough to not question why.

They both hug me goodbye, and I let them, I'm trying to be more kind like my madre but it is a struggle honestly, especially with my sperm donors genes in me, although I am nothing like my birth father.

I leave the room and am welcomed by Sin, who is leaning against the wall, an empty beer bottle in one hand and a flask of drink in the other.

"Hey. I thought you might want a hot chocolate, in case you were like cold or something." He grunts, before passing the flask to me.

I open the flask and take a sip.

We walk down the corridor silently, which made me feel really awkward, so I was glad when he decided to speak.

"Did you have fun then? Do anything nice?"

"Yeah," I nod slowly, "it was good. Still strange, but good."

"That's good. Oh, Jagger says hi, little red."

After having a few sips of my hot chocolate, I answer him.

"Oh, were you with him? Tell him I said hi back, I guess.... Also, Sin?"

He looks down at me, not in a judgemental way, I mean literally.

"Yeah?"

I smile. "Thank you for coming to get me. I mean, you didn't have to, I'm totally capable and everything...."

He puts a finger on my lip, causing my breathing to hitch slightly at the surprise of human touch.

"Little red... I would never let a lady walk home alone in the dark, understood? And a simple thank you is alright too, Lina."

I nod and fiddle with the sleeves of my coat and onesie, the air has changed and I suddenly have goosebumps.

He moves his finger and we carry on walking, walking to my room.

Our room.

***************

THIS CHAPTER ISN'T THE BEST BUT I TRIED OKAY??? IM SUFFERING WRITERS BLOCK!

LINA IS BECOMING SOFT😱😱 OR SOFTER. IDK.

HOPE YOU ENJOY

ANONYMOUS A XOXO