It takes roughly about an hour to reach my home town from campus. I'm seated snugly on a window seat by the back of the bus, my ear phones playing the latest tiktok hits I saved while browsing the app.

I blink the fatigue away and stare at my surroundings. We're now currently passing the rich part of town, where the houses have massive lawns and do not need to be separated by gates. Some houses have their own security details while others have the neighbourhood watch signboards perched by the verges.

We bypass this particular section fairly quickly, there aren't many rich folk from where I come from. The split level houses that follow are more closely knit together. I stare at them absent mindedly, knowing that I'll be seeing Elizabeth's house soon.

There's a very edgy looking house with solar powered panels on it's roof and black shut out windows. The one right next to it is glaringly different with it's soft cream walls and glass stained windows.

My pulse spikes when I see Elizabeth reading a book on the rocking chair on her house patio. I press the bell and the bus stops after a few seconds. I tuck my bag to my side and almost leap out of the bus.

I must look like a lunatic, running across the pavement in my baggy t shirt and loose jeans, my bag swinging with each step.

"Liz!" I call out to her happily and her face brightens under the evening sun.

"Danny!"

We look like a long lost couple, running towards each other like we haven't seen one another in years. In reality, it's only been a few weeks.

She pulls me into a tight hug and I squeeze her back tightly. When she pulls back I notice there is now color in her cheeks and she's put on some weight, making her look more like the old Elizabeth.

"I've missed you so much. I'm bored out of my mind over here." She paces her patio, running her hands through her straw blonde hair as she speaks. Only Elizabeth can sit in the sun and still look as pale as a ghost.

I would be burnt to a crisp by now. I pull my sleeves over my arms and attempt to hide away from the startlingly bright setting sun rays. Due to my part asian genes and a mother who generally never liked sun bathing, I've always tended to avoid the sun as well.

Liz chuckles, after all these years, she can read me like a book. "Let's head inside."

I nod gratefully and follow her into the house. Her parents have gone to the evening markets so it's just the two of us for now.

"What are you reading now?" I ask, picking up the book she had with her outside. The cover's peppered with pictures of news articles plus a few sprinkles of blood.

Elizabeth has always loved her murder mysteries.

"It's my fifth one so far. I've been going mad with boredom, Danny. I can't wait to get back to college."

I don't know why but my shoulders stiffen when she mentions the word. I've been so preoccupied with my plans for revenge, I didn't pause to wonder what Elizabeth would think if she knew I planned to break her ex boy friends heart.

Would she be mad at me? Or grateful?

We walk past the landing that leads to the rooms upstairs and head straight for the kitchen. Unlike the kitchen in my home, this one's all white marble counter tops and freshly varnished cabinets.

The sink is empty, dishwasher fully loaded and there's a pot of tea already brewing on the stove.

"I've got cookies," Liz smiles widely, placing my biggest weakness on a plate in front of me. Three large chocolate chip cookies stare back at me and my mouth starts to water.

I already have one half stuffed into my mouth when she asks me about college again.

"So tell me, what's been happening? What's the latest gossip at Daltech?" She's busying herself with pouring the tea into two tiny tea cups. Her casual tone sounds forced, it makes my next mouthful harder to swallow.

To be honest, there's so much to tell. So many things have happened but I'm not sure if it's a good idea to share them with her, especially when she's supposed to be healing.

As far as I know, her parents have limited all internet access, only allowing calls and messages from a select few friends. I wonder how restricted her knowledge is.

"Nothing much. Professor Gerald is still kicking my butt for that half assed article I wrote on E-commerce. And our team won the match against the Hounddogs two weeks ago." I take a sip of the tea she prepared. I've always preferred cookies with cold milk but Liz has been so enthusiastic about all the tea she's been making and to be fair this does taste pretty good.

She finally takes her cup and sets in down in front of me. "I don't care about football, Daphne. We watch their games on tv every time they air."

Her face pinches and she squirms before asking the question that she probably wanted to ask in the first place. "I saw Zander played first string. How is he?"

The cookies suddenly lose taste, the sweetness in them lost to my paranoia. "I wouldn't know."

"You don't have to worry about me being affected. I just want to know how things are going in college."

She keeps saying that but she only seems to be interested in one thing.

"I heard he was dating Yoona Harry. She's pretty hot, isn't she?" Elizabeth murmurs and I refrain from answering because it feels like I'm walking into a trap. "Has it been three months already? I wonder if they've broken up."

Wow, even the tea has begun to taste bitter.

"I brought your coursework. The ones you asked for next semester." I stand up abruptly and take the notes out of my bag.

Elizabeth stares at me and I pray that she can't see the guilt in my eyes. I chew the inside of my cheek hoping she will drop the Zander topic and release a breath when she reaches over to take the pieces of paper.

"Thank you so much. I've been so bored without access to all those forums and college news. Maybe preparing for next semester will give me something to focus on."

My chest suddenly feels ten weights lighter. She hasn't had access to those online forums. Which means she can't know about my incident with Zander in the courtyard.

"Let me know if you need anything else." I say.

"Are you staying for dinner? My parents will be thrilled to have you join us. You can tell me more about what's been happening." Elizabeth's eyes brighten at the prospect of more gossip.

"I can't," I answer. Usually I hate having to leave her house, Elizabeth's place has been my solace for years. I used to have dinner here all the time, especially when there were no meals at home to scavenge around for.

But the thought of having to avoid her questions all night has me packing up my stuff.

"I wish I could stay but my parents are expecting me home for dinner."

Elizabeth raises her eyebrows in surprise. In all our years together, our family has never had dinner together. "Is everything, okay?"

I swallow hard. She's the only one who knows how things are at home. No one else does, not even Stacy or Daphne.

"Only one way to find out." I keep my tone light but it feels like stones have settled at the bottom of my stomach.

I leave Elizabeth's after an hour and walk the rest of the way back to my place. I cut through the park that had been built a few years ago as an act to conserve the environment by the city council.

The distinction between Elizabeth's neighbourhood and mine is glaringly obvious. It feels like I've just stepped into another dimension.

The asphalt roads here are worn down and cracked in most places. Pot holes that should be illegal mar the roads and ever so often a lone, worn down car would swerve down a corner, stopping only for handovers which most likely involved drugs.

My grip tightens around my bag strap and I hug it closer to my chest. The buildings here are multileveled, all dull grey with faded, graffiti laden walls. I pass two blocks before stopping at the foot of the stairs.

The lights above blinks haphazardly and I take a deep breath before walking up. It takes me two flights of stairs before I finally stop outside a pale brown door with a rusty doorknob.

I plug my key inside and unlock the door, stepping inside softly.

The soft whirring of the kettle greets me first and I blink a few times, eyes adjusting to the dim lighting. The television is unsurprisingly switched on and I thank my lucky stars to find my father passed out on the couch.

Empty bottles of beer litter the floor and table around him. I tiptoe to my room and dump my bag on the single mattress before heading out to look for my mum.

Our flat isn't big. The living room and kitchen are connected, with a small wooden table in the middle that serves as our dining table. If my mother isn't here then she must be in her room.

I knock on the door softly and then push it open, my anxiety building when she doesn't answer. I always have this flash of fear when she doesn't respond to a call or when I don't see her at home.

My throat tightens when I see her lying on the bed soundlessly and I rush up to her, wanting to check if she's breathing. The steady rise and drop of her chest brings me close to tears and I sit down by her feet, suddenly feeling worn down and exhausted.

The movement causes her to stir and she slowly sits up. There's a purple black bruise peaking out from under the flimsy material of her shirt. My mother used to look so beautiful. I remember those pictures of her from when she first came to the US.

She was absolutely glowing when she married dad. And now..

Her face is gaunt and tired, rings of fatigue lining her eyes. Permanent worry lines are etched into her forehead and her skin has taken this dark, rubbery tone. Her hands and feet are dry and cracked from doing all the housework and working at the hospital most nights.

"Mum," My voice cracks and I reach out for her. I had been so afraid when dad called me that day and seeing her here chases all those worries away.

"My baby." She hugs me back tightly. "You must be so tired and hungry. Let me make something."

That's my mother, always ready to take care of others but not herself. A bottle rattles outside and both of us stiffen.

"What's for dinner?" A gravelly voice echoes from outside and I immediately remember that I was supposed to bring a crate of beer for him. My bottom lip starts to shake as I tremble.

My eyes flit to my mums in panic. "I forgot to bring home the beer."

She sucks in a breath, trying her best to look strong for the both of us. "Don't worry--"

"Ahh, you're back." My six foot two, beer belly laden father leans against the door. "Where's my beer?"

"It's.." I stumble, my vocal cords locking up. I notice his fists clench at his sides and I instinctively coil up.

"She finished class late." Mum answers in a steely voice. "I'll make some dinner and Daphne, you run down to the stores to pick up that beer."

I nod quickly and almost bolt out of the door but my father grabs my arm. "Hold on I'm coming with you."

The walk to the local mart is awkward and filled with silence. Dad grunts every once in awhile, complaining about pins and needles in his right leg but I choose not to comment.

I know the exact aisle and rush to grab a crate of beer when he suddenly stops me.

"Hey, hey what's the rush. Let's chat. Have some father-daughter bonding time."

I hate when he talks like this. Adrenaline spikes in my veins, anxiety burrowing it's way into the back of my neck. There's nothing sincere about his crooked smile as he looks at me, his teeth yellow stained from all the alcohol and cigarettes.

"I have this great idea." He rubs his hands together, all excited and I start to feel sick. "It's a farming idea. Something I think will make us a lot of money. I just need some capital first."

He looks at me and it takes a few seconds to realise he's asking me for money.

It's so ridiculous that I don't know why I ask. "How much?"

He mumbles for a moment and I start to feel irritated. "Ten thousand for now."

I take a step back, unsure if he's making a joke or being serious. "I don't have that kind of money."

"Aren't you on scholarship or something?" His expression darkens, making me take another step back. We're in public but the aisle is currently empty.

"I'm on a partial scholarship and the money's for my tuition. I can't use it for anything else." I reply, trying my best to keep the bite out of my voice.

He only shakes his head looking like he doesn't believe me. It happens too fast for me to react. He grabs my wrist and twists it, making me gasp in pain. His fingers tighten and it feels like my bones are about to break.

"You and your mother are the same. Both such selfish bitches." He says, alcohol and stale breath stinging my nostrils.

"Danielle? Is that you?"

My father and I both whip our heads in the direction of the unfamiliar voice and my jaw nearly falls off my face when I see Luke Bradshaw standing in front of us with a pack of ciders in hand.