Back to when Cadence was seventeen (Continue...)

Cadence's POV

"Mum, are you done?" I groaned in annoyance while I was holding the camera. I was ready to shoot my mum and dad's picture. We were making fun of it was because today was my mum and dad's anniversary.

My mum shushed me "Be patient, my dear. I need to make sure that I'm stunning with this dress before I take any picture with your charming dad." She stared at my dad lovingly with a grin and pulled him closer to her as she pressed her lips to his cheek. I gagged "Ew!"

"Now you feel disgusting. Wait till you with your partner you will know it." My mum rolled her eyes playfully as my dad pecked her lips caused my mum to giggled with the hint of shyness, and tapped my dad's nose "Hey, this is R-rated darling."

My dad turned to face me then back to my mum he shrugged "She's already 17 honey. Besides, romance movies have a kiss scene."

I shook my head "Are both of you ready to take a photo before out for your candlelight dinner?"

"Alright, we are ready. You're such a baby." she glared at me playfully as my dad was chuckling, staring at my mum lovingly and wrapping his arm around her shoulder. He gently nuzzled his nose to my mum's temple made my mum smiled in content. I rolled my eyes at their cheezy moment.

My mum was wearing an elegant red dress as my dad was wearing a black tuxedo. They were planning to celebrate at the cruise. My dad wrapped his arm around my mum's shoulder as my mum wrapped her arms around his waist. She tidied her hair and flash her gorgeous white teeth ready for me to take the picture of them. My dad flashes his charming smile and is ready.

"One, Two, Three!" 'clicked' I viewed the picture and smiled in satisfaction with my little job. "Okay, have fun! Bye, mum! Bye, Dad! Love you!"

"Behave when we're not around." my mum shot me the playful stern face by knowing that I might find Rachel later.

She winked at me and turned her attention back to dad who was back facing us. She rests her head on my dad's strong shoulder with her arms wrapped around his arm and left the house.

That was the most gorgeous and last picture of hers before she had cancer.

***

I sniffed as tears streaming down my face while I was touching the frame of my mum's beautiful portrait which stood in front of her coffin. I missed that smile of hers.

I sobbed when I thought of her smile like that to me whenever we were talking. "I miss you so much, mum." I let my eyes shut and winched whenever I thought about my mum had gone.

I still couldn't cope with it.

I was expecting everything here was a bad dream, and hoping when my eyes opened will see my strong and healthy mum sitting next to me to wake me up. She would be smiling at me from ear to ear, she would either ticklish me or kissed my forehead after I woke up.

When my eyes opened I sighed in despair. It was not a bad dream, It was real. I was still standing next to my mum's portrait, the room filled with guests dressed in black, and my dad was busy talking to the people.

We held this funeral ceremony in a church, and we decided to let the preacher gave the testimonial about my mum to the guests.

"I'm sorry for your lost, Cadence," Sabrina said softly as she hugged me. I closed my eyes again with my tears rolled down my cheek as I hugged back and thanked her. I heard Sabrina's mum was sobbing as she joined the hug. I gently patted her mum's back and thanked her.

I saw Rachel stood behind Sabrina's when they pulled away from me. She stepped in closer and pulled me into a hug. I tightened my hold on hers as a sob escaped from my lips. Rachel gently patted my head as she whispered, "Be strong, you still have us with you, Cadence."

We pulled away as Rachel indicated Sabrina. I smiled weakly as I used a tissue to wipe off the tears and said, "Right, thank you for coming."

My dad and I were having a silent moment with my mum after we had finished usher our guests. We were spending this moment to see my mum peacefully laying in the white coffin.

We choose a white coffin for my mum because we knew that was her favorite color. My mum looks beautiful in an elegant black dress, light make-up. She was with a blonde wig covered her bald head.

The wig was my custom request make for her because I knew she loves her hair so much. Also, I knew she might be cried alone when her hair was gone. Mum would never want me to see this side of hers.

I felt miserable that I couldn't manage to give this to her on time when she was alive.

My dad sobbed silently with one of his strong arms wrapped around my shoulder. We looked at my mum's peaceful smile sleeping in there.

My dad said with his hoarse voice, "Now, your mum can rest in peace after she had struggled in her battle. She is going back to heaven freely without pain and worries."

I buried in my dad's broad chest and sobbed, "Dad, I don't want mum to go, please."

I felt my dad nodded his head on top of my head and said weakly, "So do I. But, we have to let her go. She had suffered too much, sweetheart."

"I miss mum so much, dad." I couldn't stop to say this again and again like chanting in my mind. "I really do." I sniffled as I felt my dad gently patted my back, "Me too, sweetheart." He gently held my shoulder on me and said softly, "Come on, let's bid goodbye to mum."

I nodded my head weakly on my dad's chest before we pulled away. My dad pressed his lips on the cover of the coffin and mumbled, "I love you, Caitlin."

He pulled me closer as I did the same as my dad and said with my trembling voice, "I love you so much, goodbye mum. I'll see you again." I smiled weakly at her one last time before I left with my dad.

We were standing at the graveyard watching my mum's coffin buried into her grave. I side hugged my dad as he wrapped one of his strong arms around my shoulder securely. He gently pressed my head to comfort me by knowing I still cry for my mum leaving us.

"These few days, Sarah and Sabrina will stay with us. It's because they would stay to take care of you when I was away." my dad said to me softly.

No, I need him...

I pulled away from him and asked sadly, "Dad, where are you going again? You just came back last few days." I pleaded, "Can you stay a little longer, please?" He gently pressed his lips on the top of my forehead and nodded his head. He smiled at me weakly, "Sure, sweetheart."

"Thank you, dad." I buried my face to his chest.

***

Sabrina and her mum have already stayed at my home for two weeks. My dad was already back to work after a week. Besides, Sabrina's mum informed me that she had a family matter, and now only left Sabrina and me at my home.

Since after my mum's funeral, I seldom stay at Rachel's place. I still need time to collect myself. Rachel understood about my condition, and she was thoughtful enough to spend time with me here instead. Yesterday she just came by and was already back in the evening.

Sabrina and I were watching HBO in my room. She snuggled closer on my shoulder as I wrapped one of my arms around her shoulder like we used to be.

Somehow, she was acting weird recently. She was getting touchy on me and I didn't want to overthink it. I had too much to handle. I froze when I felt one of her cold hands slipped beneath my sweater as I quickly held her hand to stop her.

"Sabrina, what are you doing?" I tried to ask as calmly as I was. I heard her said innocently, "I'm cold." I pulled the blanket to cover over our shoulders as I said, "You can tell me if you're cold, Sabrina." I chuckled lightly as she remained quiet.

Sabrina's hand remain on my abdomen which I thought might be because of my hand still on hers. I slowly let go of my hand from hers. However, her hand didn't remove and remain still. I decided to ignore it and move on.

After a brief second, I was shocked when I felt her hand glided to my bare breast and cupped on it. I swiftly snatched her hand to yank it away from me. I stood up abruptly and shouted at her in anger, "Sabrina! What the hell was wrong with you?!"

She looked at me with her teary eyes, her lips were trembling, and said sadly, "Are you oblivious or pretending don't know about that?"

I looked at her in confusion and asked, "What do you mean?"

She sniffed lightly with wiped off her tears, "The girl I told you I like is you."

I was caught off guard about that. My eyes widened and muttered in disbelieve, "No, it can't be. We are best friends, Sabrina. We can't. I'm with Rachel now."

She scoffed as she wiped off her tears and said stubbornly, "So what, Cadence. I told you I will fight for it." she pulled her sweater over her head and exposed her bare upper body. I quickly turned away from her and warned, "Knock it off, Sabrina."

I heard her yelled, "If you don't like me, then looked at me and tell me right to my eyes!"

I sighed and turned to face her, but that was out of my expectation. She roughly smashed her lips on mine. I pushed her away and slapped her face.

I furiously yelled at her, "Stop it, Sabrina! That's wrong! I won't be cheated on her. Because I love her, and I will never betray on her."

She cupped her face and sobbed in regret. "I'm sorry, Cadence. I was lost. I have no idea why would I do that? I really like you. I can't control myself whenever I looked at you."

I felt a little bad that I slapped her face just now. I sighed as I picked up her clothes and held to her, "Come on, put this on, Sabrina."

I was caught off guard by her when she pulled me into a hug. I awkwardly patted her bareback and said softly, "It's okay, let's forget about it."

I gasped when she pushed me on my bed. I swiftly flipped her back as I was hovering over her and warned her, "I said stop it, Sabrina. Stop doing this to me."

Sabrina didn't give up, she was smiling at me while her hands were holding the hem of my sweater to pull it up. I was getting furious with her, I had enough of her behavior. I snatched her hands and pinned them over her head. I yelled at her face, "I said stop it!"

"What the hell is going on?!" I was startled when I heard my dad's voice roared at my room. I snapped my head to the door, I saw Sabrina's mum and my dad were standing next to each other.

At this moment of our position, it was a huge mistake in their eyes. Sabrina's mum used her hands to cover her mouth to cry as my dad shut his eyes with flared his nostril. "Get dress and we need to talk!"

My dad left without waiting for us to explain and slammed the door. That was all Sabrina's fault! I shift my body away from Sabrina and climbed off the bed abruptly. I stormed out of my room without waiting for Sabrina.

***

"Dad, I told you. That's not what you think like that. I'm trying to stop her!" I exclaimed as I glared at Sabrina who was sobbing with her face down.

My dad pinched his nose and sighed, "But, why Sabrina without clothes on."

I sighed and said impatiently, "It's because she took it off dad. I didn't do anything to her."

My dad turned to Sabrina "We have to be fair, and I want to listen to your side too, Sabrina."

Sabrina's face was facing down all the time when she was here. She eventually stared at me with her teary eyes and sniffled, "Cadence tried to intimate with me by force."

I was shocked by her answer and I said in disbelief, "What the hell, Sabrina! What did you talk about! That was not true!"

"I have asked you to stop, but you never listened," she said with crying.

She was unbelievable!

I scoffed as I shook my head and said in sarcasm, "You're great in acting, Sabrina. Should I award you the winner of Oscar best actress?! Huh!"

"Cadence!" my dad called me sternly.

I sighed and explained to him, "Dad, trust me. I didn't do anything to harm Sabrina." Before I could explain any further, we were interrupted by Sabrina's mum.

"Look at these, Mr. Anderson." Sabrina's mum said as she dropped a bunch of pictures on the coffee table. The pictures showed Sabrina was showering or naked in her room. Her mum sobbed, "I found these from..." she trailed off and stared at me, "Cadence's room."

I shook my head in disbelief, and I keep defending myself, "No! I didn't do that! Trust me, dad!"

My dad sighed in displease as he took a decent picture and pointed to the corner of the photo, "There has the date! It was from your camera."

I sighed in frustration. "Dad, I didn't even touch the camera anymore since mum had been admitted to hospital." My heart tightened when I think about my mum again. I reasoned sadly, "She is not here anymore."

"There's one thing I can prove that," Sabrina said as she flashed her phone to my dad showed that Rachel and I were kissing.

My dad frowned with disapproved "Are you a dyke?!"

I gasped and I was shocked by the picture she showed to my dad. I couldn't believe Sabrina had done all of these on me. I weakly nodded my head before looked at my dad, but he was shutting his eyes in dismay.

I admitted, "Yes, I'm a lesbian and I'm dating her, dad. But, that doesn't mean I will-" I felt a stung on my face before I could finish telling my dad everything.

I couldn't believe my dad laid his hand on me, and he didn't even give me a chance to finish what I thought...

"You're a sinful child! I'm so disappointed in you! It doesn't matter you got harass Sabrina or not. You're dating a girl which is wrong!" my dad yelled at me in furious and he was staring at me in disappointment.

"Dad, I really love her. I can't control my feeling. Besides, I am not into the boy, and they're disgusting for me." I said as he slapped my face once again as my tears streak out because of the pain. I felt the corner of my lips bleed.

His slap was more like a punch for me.

My dad stared at me with his eyes on fire. "You're a hopeless child. First, you harass Sabrina, and second, you're a dyke! This is unforgivable. From now on, you're aren't my child anymore. I've disowned you now!" He yelled at me in rage.

My body turned cold and shaken after I heard every single word came out from his mouth. I tightened my fist, stared boldly at him, and said in venom, "Seriously dad?" I exhaled as I gritted my teeth, "Are you believing that I'm that low to do something bad to Sabrina?! They set me up, dad! Why do you trust them over me?!"

He glared at me and said in the tone I was unforgettable, yet a stranger for me, "You're dead for me since you admit to me that you're a dyke! I don't know about you anymore! You're a monster for me!"

I pressed my lips, dug my fingers on my fist, and swallowed my lump for not to cry right in front of him.

I spatted at my dad in anger, "You're a pathetic dad! You believed the snakes over me! I'm disappointed in you too!"

I laughed humorlessly, "Of course you don't know about me! You are always busy working to make it as an excuse and barely spend time with us. Where the hell are you when mum needs you?!"

I felt a hard pressure on my face again and I was too numb to feel any pain from a man who had just disowned me. He shouted at me, "Shut up! You're just an outsider! I gave you an hour to pack your stuff and leave this house immediately!"

"Fine, don't forget to change my last name. This would be my final request from you. Today, I'm no longer name Cadence Anderson. My name is Cadence Hill!" I stormed away from them and was ready to pack my stuff.

I roughly tear out the roll of film from my beloved camera, scrunched it, and threw it aside. Those sons of the bitches! They were snakes and set me up for eliminating me out from this place! They were well manipulated and turned my dad into a monster.

I clutched the camera which was gifted from my mum in my chest. I gingerly stored it along with the albums in my luggage before I claimed other of my mum's belongings.

I rummage my closet, I took my uniforms, pajamas, and my undergarment and threw them into my luggage. I rushed to my desk to take the photo frame which was only my mum and me together and added to my luggage.

I saw there had a picture frame included my dad. I took the picture out to tear off my dad and threw it on the floor. Then, I shoved the part which only left my mum and me into my sweatpants pocket.

I walked into my mum and dad's room to roam my mum's cupboard. I took a few pieces of my mum's favorite clothes and hold them on my forearm.

Before I left this room, I saw my mum's favorite boots and sneakers stood under the cupboard nicely. I grabbed them along and back to my room to store them in my luggage.

I pulled the luggage along for leaving the mansion after I had changed decent clothes. I didn't even want to look at the trio when I walked past the dining room.

I could hear the chatters, giggling and silverware 'clicking' sound. I clenched my jaws as I tightened my grip on my luggage to haul it. I picked up my pace to leave these disgusting people as soon as I can.

My dad could move on so fast without mum and me, he could happily enjoy with that two bitches and let me get stranded outside of this house. I couldn't even accept that my dad would do this to me!

I walked aimlessly under the cold, empty and lonely street. The weather was awfully colder than my soul. I had to look for a shelter to keep me warm.

It was started raining after I had walked an hour, and I already out of town. The rain was getting heavy as I rushed to a coffee shop that got the roof to shelter from the raindrop. I shuddered to keep my body warm.

I should find a place to stay and get a job.

"Dad, she is cold." I was snapped back by a brunette girl. She had a chubby face around 7 years old.

The little girl innocently looked at me with her blue ocean eyes. She was standing next to a good-looking brunette man around my dad's age. His haircut was undercut with slick back his hair.

"Do you need a ride to go home?" the man gently asked me while his hand was holding the little girl's hand.

I'm a homeless girl now.

My tears were forming in my eyes as by hearing his kindness. I swallowed down to hold my tears, I courteously smiled at him and said, "No, it's okay. I'm waiting for my parents to pick me up, and they'll be here shortly. Thank you for your kindness, Sir."

He nodded his head, yet he hesitated awhile and asked, "Are you sure about that? Here isn't safe to stay alone. We can send you back if you want."

He is too kind, but I had to lie to him, "I-I'm good, Sir, really." I swiftly took my phone to see and pretending that my parents were coming. I smiled at him and said, "Oh, they said they're reaching soon."

The man chuckled with his deep voice and said, "I'm glad to hear that. Well, we're leaving."

"Dad, don't you think she needs the umbrella? She's soaking now." The little girl said as she stared at me.

The man chuckled at his daughter's thoughtful idea and he said to his daughter, "You're right, baby girl." He smiled at his daughter and playfully said, "Now it's the showtime of your Bubbles!"

The little girl giggled with flashed her right dimple on her cheek and she yelled in enthusiasm, "It's the showtime!" she opened her Powerpuff girl Bubbles umbrella proudly.

The man squatted down and carefully let his daughter climbed up and sat on his broad shoulders. He made sure his daughter sat on his shoulder securely before he stood up on his feet.

The little girl used her umbrella to hover her tiny body along with her dad's head. The man handed his umbrella to me and smiled, "Take this. This is the only thing we could offer to you seems you insisted on not letting us send you back."

The man tilted his head on his umbrella as he chuckled with his deep voice, "Oh, come on. Hurry take it before this little pumpkin drop on the floor."

I laughed lightly as I quickly took the umbrella from him, "Thank you so much, Sir. I really appreciate it."

"Hey, it's fine. Our car is just right across the street." He smiled with his hands holding his daughter securely on his shoulder. He tilted his head a little to face his daughter "Come on, let's bid goodbye to this lady, baby girl."

The little girl grinned and leaned closer to me, "Hi, you're so pretty like a Barbie doll." she played my hair with one of her tiny hands and giggled, "They are so soft."

Her tiny hand removed from my hair to cup my face and kissed my cheek caught me off guard "Bye-bye pretty girl!" she grinned as I gently poked her dimple with pinched her face, "Bye-bye. You're so cute."

She giggled and gave me a frank kiss "Muaks! Bye Bye!" and she treated her dad like a horse "Hyah!!!" Her dad played a horse voice and jogged across the street. He carefully settled his daughter in his truck and he rushed toward the driver's side. He waved me goodbye before he gets into his car and drove away.

I was getting anxious when I saw the day was getting dark. I would be alone, and I might meet any people. I had to get a job for keeping me be safe in a few hours before I got money and get a place to stay.

I was regretful when I was walking past the old bar shops. Besides, there have a bunch of boys dancing and they shook their hips sexually. They were playing around to laugh and shouted wildly.

I was getting uncomfortable to see them around. When I turned back, the alley was too dark for me to return. I quicken my pace as I haul the luggage along with me to walk past the boys as soon as possible.

"Oh Damn! There's a hot chick! Awoooooo!"

This bunch of wolves.

A shiver sent down my spine after I heard what they said. My anxiety increasing and I was praying hard they will leave me alone. I was startled when I saw a boy around my age jumped in front of me.

The boy was wearing a baggy jacket with his cap in a snapback, baggy jeans, and a pair of sneakers. He had a square shape face. He was smiling at me in a friendlier way. He didn't look like a bad guy, but I still have to stay aware of him in this kind of street.

"Hey, pretty baby with the high heels on
You give me fever like I've never, ever known
You're just a product of loveliness
I like the groove of your walk, your talk, your dress"

He sang and danced in front of me as I rolled my eyes and walked past him. Then he kept followed and continue sang and dance till I stopped and crossed my arm, and asked in annoyance, "Are you done?"

He chuckled as he adjusted his cap, "Hey! Chill! We have no harm. We just being a little playful around here." he extended his hand "I'm Brendon."

I remained my arms crossed as he sighed and mumbled "Rude." He stood back a step and glanced at me till his eyes dart to my luggage as I quickly pulled my luggage closer to me.

He raised both of his hands like getting arrested by police "Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Chill girl. You seem looking for somewhere to stay. Are you lost?" he asked nicely.

I slowly let my guard down, yet remained aware. Just now I could trust the man. I said without hesitation, "I need a job."

He snapped his fingers and beamed, "Great, my buddy needs to hire a staff. His staff just quick a day before. Follow me." he said as he turned back for letting me follow him behind.

I was getting bothered when I saw the surrounding was getting darker, "Where are you going to take me?" I asked as calmly as I could and, he giggled "Be patience, almost there."

We stopped at the front of the rusty bar as I started to panic and asked in slightly nervous, "This will be the place I'm going to work?"

He hummed as he nodded his head, "Mhm" then he looked at the bar and then me and asked, "What do you think I'm thinking?"

After a few beats, he burst out laughing. "Oh come on! I look like a bad guy doesn't mean I'm an animal." he hugged his stomach and gasped with collect his breath.

After he settles down, he indicated the rusty bar "This place is my buddy's bar. He is a nice man. Even though this place doesn't look decent, but quite good in business. I'm one of the guests here. Come on, you'll not regret." he pushed the door opened and pulled me along with him.

The bar is filled with elderly men. They look relax to chat around and drink their beers. "Yo, my friend," Brenson yelled to the man at the bar.

The man was wearing a camouflage cap and a dark green shirt. He had tan skin, white hair, and a beard. His ages around my dad's ages too. "What do you want?" he said in a bored tone with his rasp voice.

"Oh, I found a new staff for you. She's my friend and she's looking for a job." Brendon beamed as he indicated to me.

The man stared at me with his big round dark eyes and frowned, "Another princess. Last time that chick quitted not more than one day." he waved me away from him with his hand.

I quickly said "Look, sir. I can work anything for you. I can wash the toilet, wipe the table, clean the floor."

He scoffed "Of course. Those are your jobs, young lady." I nodded my head as he added, "The bartenders have to be multitasking their job. They have to clean up the bar before and after they are on shift."

I nodded my head eagerly "Sure, sure! But I have no experience be a bartender."

He chuckled "I got provide training."

I hesitate awhile and asked, "I know that's a little too much for asking."

He retorted "Then, don't ask."

"Please." I pleaded as he stared at me and waited for me expectedly, "Uhm, can I stay here after my shift ended."

I faced down and said in a small voice, "I currently have no place to stay after I was kicked out by my dad. I don't mind if you give me a low paid. I really need somewhere to stay."

"Ahhh another rebellious. Nowadays the kids. A handful." he sighed with shook his head and I remained quiet. "Fine, you can start to work tomorrow."

I smiled in delight as he made a thoughtful look and said, "So, you might be only available in the nighttime. Am I right?" I nodded my head as he added, "I knew you're still a student, you better get a fake ID just in case we get checked."

He took off his cap and run his hand through his white short hair. "From tonight you'll stay at my place."

My eyes widened as he frowned "What's on your mind. I have a beautiful wife and a gorgeous daughter, for god sake." he shook his head "At least my place has a proper room for you to stay."

He motioned the bar to surround him "Here have no place for you to sleep." I grinned with nodded my head "Thank you so much, Sir."

He waved me off, "Have a seat aside, wait till I finish my job."

"Thank you, Sir."

"Call me Duncan."

"Congratulations! You get a job!" Brendon raises his fist for me to punch as I punched it lightly "Thank you, Brendon. I owe you."

He shook his head "Nah, it's fine. We're buddy."

I felt bad for him about just now. I stared at him apologetically "Look, Brendon. I'm so sorry about just now. I shouldn't judge you as a bad person in the beginning."

He giggled "Chill! I'm cool! I already get used to it. Girls would always think I'm a pervert." he shrugged casually.

I chuckled "I'm Cadence by the way." I extended my hand to him and he gladly handshake me "Nice to meet you, Cadence."

***

"So, this is your room," Duncan said as he switched on the light of the room I'll stay in later. "Look, this might not be a fancy room like your place. At least we have a bed, study table, and cupboard for you. This is a room we provide for our staff."

I mumbled "Thank you." to my surprise, this room was cozy yet neat and clean.

"Have a good rest and tomorrow you have a lot of works to do." Duncan said as I nodded my head "Sure, I'll see you tomorrow." he nodded his head and let the door shut.

I started unpacking my luggage and loaded my clothes into the cupboard. I clutched one of my mum's sweaters on my chest, inhaled her faint scent lingers on the sweaters. I pressed the fabric on my face and let my tears soak into it.

I jumped a little when I heard a slight knock on the door. I swiftly put the sweaters aside, cleaned up my face before opened the door.

When I opened the door, a pair of mum and daughter stood in front of the door. The mum's skin tone is slightly fairer than Duncan's. She had long black curly hair.

She was smiling at me warmly and she stared at her daughter. Her daughter looks exactly like her, but the hair is shoulders length. She cutely grinned at me and reminded me of the chubby face brunette girl. Their ages were similar.

"Can we come in, sweetie?" I was snapped back by the mother who asked me politely. I hastily opened wide the door, "Sure, I'm sorry, I was carried away just now." I stood aside for letting them entered the room.

The lady gently placed a few fresh clothes, a towel, a set of a new toothbrushes, and a bag of sundries on the study table. She smiled gently at me, "I hope you won't be minded of the used clothes. Besides this one, the rest are new."

I was more than thankful for her kindness, and smiled at her and said genuinely, "Thank you so much, ma'am. I truly appreciate it."

"Call me Dana. And what's your name sweetie?" she smiled

"I'm Cadence." I extended my hand to her "It's nice to meet you."

She chuckled and pulled me into a hug "I don't handshake. I do hug."

I was overwhelmed by her embrace as I was broke down and hugged her tightly. She gently patted my back, "It's okay, you will get over it, sweetie. Life might be included in hard times and like a roller coaster. Once you get through it, everything will be okay. Also, this would make you stronger."

I sobbed with nodded my head "Thank you, Dana."

She shushed and gently patted my head, "It's okay. Just cried and you'll feel better sweetie."

She pulled me away as she wiped off my tears in a motherly way, "Once you're staying here we are family. You can share anything with us if you want to."

I nodded my head "Thank you."

She chuckled, "Don't mention." she waved at her daughter "Come on, let's get back to sleep."

The little girl remained sitting on the bed, and asked her mum cutely "Mum, can I stay with her tonight? She is crying. She needs a friend with her."

Dana chuckled "Stop the nonsense, get back to sleep."

The little girl crossed her arms with shook her head and said stubbornly, "No, I'll stay here tonight."

I laughed lightly and reassured her, "Dana, it's fine if she wanted to stay here."

Dana looked at me apologetically, "She's sort of handful sometimes. I'm sorry to trouble you. You should get some rest."

I reassured her "It's okay. She's a good girl for me." I stared at the little girl and flash a smile at her "Am I right?"

She grinned "Yes, I'm a good girl. I don't like my friend and family sad. So, I need to do my job for letting my friend and family be happy." she said as Dana and I burst out laughing.

"Okay, fine. Behave." Dana said sternly with her forefinger pointed at her daughter.

The little girl pumped fist. "Yay, I have a new friend. Good night mum. I love you."

"Good night sweeties." with that Dana shut the door and left two of us.

"So, what's your name?" I smiled as she grinned "Danielle." she laid flat on the double single bed. She shifted her tiny body aside and patted the empty spot for me. "It's time to sleep, Cadence."

I smiled and joined her. She wrapped one of her tiny arms around my neck and snuggled closer to me "Mum told me that, we need to hug the people when they're sad or crying. Good night, Cadence."

I smiled and patted her head softly "Thank you, Danielle, Good night."

I was grateful I could shelter in a place peacefully without getting assaulted by bad people. I was lucky I had met all the kind people on the journey.

First, the brunette man and his daughter. Then, bump into Brendon in the stranded street. And last, he brought me to meet Duncan and his family.

Perhaps my mum had sent the guardians for me. I smiled as I letting my tears streamed from the corner of my eyes. I snuggled my cheek on top of Danielle's head and let myself sleep.

A/N: The link above is how I picturing when Cadence was seventeen.