As I exited the front door, I let out a shaky breath and locked it behind me. I started walking to school, taking in the chilly morning. As I walked, a took out my earbuds to drown out the sounds of the world waking up. It was almost a comfort to be alone right now, but I knew I needed to talk to Mom. Part of me wanted to say she was overreacting. She had more important things to do rather than cry in her room all day over someone who despised all of us. The other part of me wanted to understand what she was going through. I never talked to Aunt Kate after Mom and Dad divorced. Even when I did talk to her, she would order me around to get things for her or to do her chores for her. When I asked Mom why she would treat me like her little slave, Mom would order me to be quiet and not disrespect someone in need. Mom really cared for Aunt Kate, despite how Kate treated everyone. To be honest, I just wanted her to get her lazy ass a job and to stop living with my parents. When they split, I wanted to blame it on her, but it was even more frustrating when she really had nothing to do with their breakup. She would try to be nice and caring but the minute I would make a small, insignificant mess, she would blow up with no warning. Like a supposedly dormant volcano erupting. She would praise me, tell me sweet things, but then verbally degrade me out of sight from my Mom when the ice in her drink would melt. Mom would worship her, or that's what I thought. Dad wouldn't say anything about it, even if he saw her scream at me. She was so controlling, but in all honesty, I'm relieved I'll never have to deal with her again. I know it isn't valid to be happy someone's dead, but I am, slightly at least. I'm a horrible person, aren't I?

It was when I saw Hannah waiting for me in front of the school that I realized I never turned any music on. My earbuds weren't even connected to my phone. I put them away slightly disappointed I just spent my walk alone thinking about my horrible Aunt. Still, who would want to kill her, and if she was as mutilated as Mom said...

"Hey, Jackie! How's it going?" She cut my thought short and greeted me with a beaming grin on her face like the world was utterly perfect. If only I had that optimism.

"Hey Hannah, it's going okay," I told her, trying to sound like it was another average day. I don't want her to know, at least not now. I trust her, but not now.

"Are you sure?" She furrowed her eyebrows at me. You can't be upset around her; she'll never fail to notice.

"Yeah, I just didn't sleep well last night," I faked a small yawn. Technically, I wasn't lying to her. I was tossing and turning last night after what happened. At least the bags under my eyes were doing something good for once.

"Aw, I'm sorry." She didn't look completely convinced, but let it go.

"What do you have to be sorry for? You didn't keep me from sleeping."

"Uh-okay! Well, I hope you feel better, but look! My dress has pockets!" She giggled like a schoolgirl while stuffing her hands in the pockets of her dress to demonstrate for me. I had to smile at least a little, I couldn't hold it in. She's just so goofy.

"Yes, they're pockets, what are you going to hide in there?"

"Kittens." She declared very seriously while a twinkle flashed in her eye, like a young child. The kind of serious you simply can't take seriously.

"Kittens? How are you going to hide them during school?"

"I'll get someone to help me!"

"And if they won't?" My faint smile widened as I interrogated her.

"I don't know..." She said in a small voice, starting to laugh in this nervous way she does. It's like she realizes what she's said is funny, but at the same time doesn't know if she should laugh about it. I can always rely on her to make my day better. Suddenly, she gasps dramatically.

"What?" I asked, amused.

"I can make you help me!"

"How will you make me help you smuggle kittens into school?"

"Blackmail."

"What blackmail?" I scoffed.

"I'll get some." I laughed out loud and caused some people's heads to turn as we walked down the hallway.

"How?" This made her stop short just as she was about to respond, her finger up and mouth opened. She started laughing and so did I. "Come on, we'll be late for class if we don't hurry."