THE NIGHT BEFORE HER BIRTHDAY (1)

After that small incident at the streetside, Abby's life went on as usual as well as the others.

At the same time, she no longer had a chance to meet Bryan's again nor his elitist and snob girlfriend, Candice, ever since that particular day.

But nonetheless, that also worked to her advantage.

Because wherever Bryan was around, it would also only spell trouble for Abby.

First of all, Bryan came in pair with his girlfriend. Besides, it was not only Candice's presence that Abby should be wary about, if ever. Mara and Clara would certainly be within the scene once Brayn came into the picture.

ANYWAYS!

Abby already had enough on her plate. She already had a lot of things to worry about as it was from the beginning of time.

So the thing about Bryan's ruined shoe nor her 'Frappe Girl' video going viral on social media lately were the least of her concern and so it was naturally pushed at the back of her mind now.

Besides, she did not have the luxury of time to worry about such trivial things, to begin with.

Right now, Abby was already on her way home.

Night had long fallen already yet it was only ten minutes ago when Abby finally logged out on her last shift for that day.

Someplace offering a part-time job where she had to wear a mascot that looked like a sausage and advertised herself as she stood in front of the restaurant while shouting,

'I AM YUMMY... COME AND TRY ME'

Working on such weird part-time jobs one after another was quite a daunting task, indeed.

But tomorrow would be different!

Because she would finally turn eighteen by the next day...

"At last I would already be eligible to claim my inheritance that was left to me by my parents. I could now start my life anew."

Abby squealed in delight as she walked down the pathway in merry steps.

She could not help but felt elated knowing that her most anticipated day was finally just one sleep away from her.

The first thing that Abby ever wanted to do the moment she got her finances was to look for a place of her own.

There, she would live a happy and comfortable life. As far away as possible from her abusive stepfamily who knew nothing about treating her nicely.

"Good evening, I'm home..."

Abby greeted them as per usual when she arrived home but no one greeted her back.

The moment she opened the front door of their house she was immediately greeted by the mess made by her irresponsible step siblings.

The sound of the TV was blaring and the floor was littered by lots of cut out papers, as though a kindergarten art class had taken over their living room

She came in quietly like a ghost and no one was paying her any heed at all either.

'Good! Yeah, that's better, actually.'

Abby thought to herself.

As she climbed up the stairs, Abby overheard her Aunt Sarah lecturing Mara while the other party was busy pasting a stamp on what seemed to be a letter.

"Mara, dear, your stamp is upside down..."

"Stamps go in the corner. I've seen mails before, mom..."

Mara argued as though she knew what she was doing.

"Yes, my dear. But what I mean is that your actual stamp was upside-down?! Details matter, sweetie. We don't want others thinking we are simple and let alone dumb, do you???"

Aunt Sarah answered back as she took a small sip from her glass of wine

In the end, Mara was left with no other choice but to double-check the rest of her letters and it was then that she noticed that their stamps were all indeed pasted upside down.

Meanwhile, Clara was yawning lazily as she whined at her mom in protest.

"Oww... My hand! It's killing me.."

She said as she sported a duck face, trying to act cute so as her mother would spare her for doing the chore.

"My tongue is dry for sealing all these letters, you know? But did you hear any words of complaint from me???"

Mara rebuked Clara in annoyance when she noticed that her sister was trying to cheat her way at the task assigned to her.

Abby, on the other hand, just left them be and went straight to her room.