Jade

For once, I was focusing on studying. As soon as I got home, I holed myself up in my room and hit the books. I wanted to completely forget about this horrible day, knowing I’d have to deal with it all over again tomorrow.

Damn that Todd.

He’d already annoyed me before when he tried to hit on me and didn’t want to take no for an answer, but this time he’d gone way too far. The next time I saw him, I was going to hit him.

I was still in the middle of studying when, hours later, I heard voices from downstairs that I assumed were my parents. I could hear a loud, boisterous laugh that made me feel a bit nostalgic. It sounded a lot like how Dad used to laugh when he was happily working in the bakery before business started going downhill while debts raised sky high. Then the bakery had to be shut down, and I hadn't heard him laugh since.

Curious, I closed my books and got up. I went to my door and unlocked it, then stuck my head out.

“Dad?” I called out. “Was that you?”

“Jade! Come down her