Chapter 8: Unwanted Kindness.

Tiffany

*Nine Years Ago, Age 12*

I hear the loud thud from upstairs immediately. I walk into the house, and I bit my lips in response.

He is at it again.

Faint sniffs and sob fill my ears, and I swallow the lump in my throat.

I walk further into the living room in slow stride in order not to alert him.

Mom always tells me to hide if he gets angry and hits her again, or else I will be the next victim.

It happened the last time I didn't listen. We both ended up in a pool of our tears, so this time, I won’t let him.

I already hid myself inside the kitchen's lower cupboard when I heard loud footsteps coming down the stairs.

My heart races, and I clench my school bag handle like my life depends on it.

My life does depend on it. No one could tell what he would do in his angry, drunk state.

"You better fix it before I get back!" I hear him say, and the shutting of door came after.

He is out of the house.

My grip loosens, and I crawl my way out of the cupboard and walk straight upstairs to meet mom.

When I enter her room, she curls up on the floor, sobbing and shaking.

Immediately, her eyes met mine she sits properly with wide eyes, the tears suddenly draining from her face. "You're back?" She asks. "No piano lessons today?" She asks again, and I shake my head.

The bruises on her arms and legs are visible, and I stop myself from talking.

It always ends in the same circle of me complaining and her telling me we would be fine.

"Would he come back?" I ask.

"Not today," mom manages a smile.

"I'll run a bath for you," I say and walk into the bathroom, trying my best to stop the tears that threaten to stream down my face.

I've cried so many times since I was five, and I learned that crying clearly won't change a single thing.

Why won't she just divorce him like every sane woman would?

My father or not, he is a total monster.

*Present*

"Tiffany?" Justin shakes me, and I blink.

"Huh?" My eyes widen, I feel hot, really hot.

Nausea hit me, but I held it back. "You scared me, are you okay? You're sweating profusely," He says, concern evident on his green eyes.

"I'm fine," I remove his hands from my shoulder as I stand up from the couch. "What was that noise?" I ask, trying to change the subject.

"Definitely Aaron's cupboard falling again," Justin sighs. "We told him to fix that shìt, he never listens,"

"Ohh, it was so loud," I say, trying to sound neutral, my eyes finding my laptop on the floor.

"Oh no no no no," I mutter repeatedly as I bend to pick it up. "Please work, please work..." I say, trying to turn on the laptop.

"The screen is gone," Justin states the obvious making me glare at him.

"Yeah.... no shit!" I retort.

"Sorry about that," he apologizes, and I sigh.

"I'm going home," I pick up my bag and my damaged laptop.

"I can get you a brand new one," Justin offers. "I don't think you would be able to repair that, and even if you do, it's gonna cost a lot. Since it's partly my fault it's broken, I can get you a new one," He says.

"I don't need your help," I tell him and walk towards the door.

"You're always so stubborn. It won't kill you to accept a favor," Justin complains behind me.

I pause and turn to meet his eyes. "It would infact kill me," I turn around and walk out of the house, slamming the door.

As I walk towards my bike, I place my free hand on my chest, trying to steady my racing heart.

After all these years, I still get sucked into that world? Guess I should have gone for therapy if it wasn't so damn expensive.

I hop on my bike and pause as I stare at Justin's door.

I'm glad he didn't push the situation. Why did it have to happen in front of him of all people?

"Tiffany, you need to get your shit together," I mutter to myself as ride my bike away.

_

"Mason's party was the absolute best, I mean, his parties always slay, but last night was amazing!" Ava rambled beside me.

"Didn't you say you wouldn't go without Finn?" I ask, and she fell silent.

The kind of thing she does when she knows she's guilty. "I couldn't miss such an awesome party because Finn is sick," Ava defends.

"Whatever..." I wave her off.

"Oh, and Justin didn't attend the party, which was surprising," she smirks.

"I know," I respond, my eyes on my phone.

"Ouuuuu, what's going on?" Ava nudge me, and I look at her lazily. "I heard from Aaron that he said his girlfriend was coming over to his place,"

"Nothing is going on, you know that. He's doing that not to get benched. period, " I reply, and she sighs.

"You're no fun," she sneers.

Ava is the only one I told about my arrangements with Justin because I know for a fact she wouldn't believe the rumors because she knows me best.

Funny enough, when I first told her about it, she asked if I would survive a fake relationship with Justin.

She truly knows me best.

We turn our heads when a knock comes on our door.

Ava rushs to open it, and our neighbor hands a package over to her. "For Tiffany, a delivery guy brought it," she says, and Ava nods.

"Thanks," she shuts the door and walks towards me. "What did you order?"

"Nothing," I reply, taking the box from her.

"A secret admirer?" She squeals, but I roll my eyes as I open the box.

A brand new laptop was inside.

My eyes widened. "Woah.... this is the latest model. What jackpot did you hit?" Ava exclaim.

"Justin," I seeth.

For one stupid second, I feel touched.

Then I remember I specifically told him I didn't need his help.

I'm going to kill him.