After getting dressed up in the selected outfit, I examined myself in the bathroom mirror.

'Looking on point..!-- as much as I can be--'

With that, I snagged Tom's hoodie I placed aside and brought it with me. I then start heading to the lounge in search for my dad.

As soon as my eyes scanned the room a bit, I found him pacing the room.

"Hey- uhh.. dad!" I say to him, announcing my presents to him.

He turns his attention to me, holding a clipboard in hand.

"Oh, hello Y/N." He smiles, "Need something?"

"Are you able to drop me off at Tom's house?" I asked him, "We have something planned today and I pretty much need to be there soon."

Suddenly, my dad's expression seemed to sadden a bit.

"..sorry Y/N, but I have to get this finished."

"Oh... okay, that's fine then."

"--but, your mother can drop you there." Dad says to me, "I'm pretty sure she just finished up her work for today. I'm sure she'll drop you there if you tell her the directions up front."

I was a little hesitant at first. Honestly- I didn't want to be in the same car as mum... But, it was one of my only chances to get to Tom's...

I thought for a moment.

"..where is she?" I question.

"I'm here" I heard my mother's voice call out from the kitchen.

She then slowly comes out. I instantly noticed the state she was in... Her posture looked like she was trying to be regal and dignified, but I could tell she was tired. Her hair was placed in a low messy bun and her skin was a little drained of color. There didn't seem to be any dark circles under her eyes, but I could easily see the foundation in the glowing light.

"I've already got the keys, let's get going." She then starts making her way out of the house.

Once she walked passed me, I could tell she was in a bad mood.

Whatever the reason was... I didn't dare question it. I knew things would be a lot more troubling if I did.

So I did as she said and went outside.

When the two of us got outside, I walked over to the gate as per usual and unlocked it. I waited for the car to pull out and closed the gate once it did.

I hopped into the free vacant seat up front, the two of us driving off into the direction I pointed out first to her.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Silence.

A familiar sound that usually happens when it's just me and my mum in the same room... or place.

I only occasionally spoke to tell her directions to the house, but only brief mentions of left, right or straight ahead. Neither of us spoke to the other besides from simple direction giving. My mum was focused on the road.

The drive really was an awkward one.

But, mother decided to speak out on her own accord.

"...So, you're visiting a friend?"

"..yeah."

I can already see where this conversation is going...

"Who is it?"

Though, I decided to go through it anyways... There's no way I can avoid it, she'll keep asking... or yell at me. Either way, she'll start yelling sooner or later- maybe she'll give me a reason to yell at her for once.

I start to answer.

"His name is Tom. He's--"

"Yes, yes. I've heard a lot about Tom from your father. Many good things." She tells me.

'then why ask in the first place?'

Mother then let out a resentful sigh.

"...Though, I don't believe a word he's told me about this boy."

Her words struck a cord in me.

"...what?"

I couldn't help but allow my eyes to narrow at her. I felt myself getting more and more agitated.

Seriously- was this woman trying to pick a fight?

"He's said Tom was a good kid. But I highly doubt it." She says, "The crowd of people you hang around tend to be... less than acceptable."

I bit the inside of my cheek, hard.

I need to not say anything. I need to shut up. As long as I can shut up and not pay her any mind, i'll be able to make the ride.

"Troublesome, disobedient-- he was probably acting and pretending to be good in order to not be seen as a threat to us; you're parents." My mother began to say, dismissing anything remotely good about Tom.

The more she talked, the more irritated I felt.

I couldn't help keep my body still. An old habit I thought I dropped as a kid came back, I started slowly scratching at and gripping my outer thigh.

"...And- that other friend of yours? Aiden?"

...what are you planning on saying?

Don't you dare do what I'm thinking you'd do...

"He seemed like a good kid-- and he's ended up in prison! ..That Tom boy might end up the same--"

"...Fuck up."

As soon as the words left my mouth, I instantly shut it from saying any more..

I muttered it out without even thinking of it...

I couldn't believe it- I've never directly sworn at my mother--- I never would've seen the day I could...

"Ex- Excuse me..?"My mother questions me, her tone growing more stern, "What did you say..?"

Usually, I'd just down play it-- maybe even apologize.

But- I didn't want to. She was talking bad about Tommy...

So..

"I said- FUCK UP MUM!"

I was ready for an argument.

There's no way I'm holding back from this.

"I don't care if you talk bad about me-- but I won't let you talk bad about Tommy! He's nothing like any person you've assumed him to be..." I stated, "He's nothing like how I use to be... and he's certainly nothing like Aiden!! Don't you DARE compare Tom to him."

My mothers face was one in shock, bafflement. She remembers all the times we've fought, but this time was different... and she could tell.

I kept going.

"You- you seriously know nothing. You don't know anything about me-- nothing about my friends--- You don't notice anything different about me..." I growled, "..Dad's noticed. You have your head too far up your own ass to even notice anything different about your own daughter."

.

.

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silence.

"....we're going home, Y/N" was all my mum said to me.

She then steadied the wheel and got ready to make a quick U-turn.

"But- I told Tom I would--"

But I was cut off from saying anymore as soon as the car made a fierce turn, tilting the car because of the speed of it.

"We're. Going. Home." My mother stared, her voice sounding dead, distant and icy.

I started to glare at her.

"Mum- Turn the car around---!" I shouted at her.

"We're going home, Y/N! And there's nothing you can do to change my mind!" She shouted back at me-- I swear I saw a vein pop... "You're my daughter! And I'm telling you that you cannot go to Tom's today!"

At her statement, I felt my entire body run cold. My mind felt like it stopped.

My mind kept telling me one constant thing... to go to Tom's .

I said to Tommy I'd go-- I bothered Luca in order to go-- I promised Lily that I'd go...

There's no way I'm not going...

And after that, my mind went full auto pilot.

I didn't even realize I already left the car and was now running down the streets.

I was able to hear my mother shout my name in the distance. Though her yelling didn't stop me from running.

There were points I was so desperate that I'd jump over people's car hoods, I almost missed and got my food caught-- luckily, I wasn't too sloppy with my landings.

Luckily, I knew these streets like the back of my hand. There was no short cut I didn't know about... I have these streets memorized.

I know where to go in order to make it to Tom's house... and I know where to go in order to avoid my mother.

No matter what, I cannot stop running.

I have to get to Tom no matter what.

...and I hope that I don't get found before I get there.