and s

de the cup, unable to understand

doned tenth floor, but there was nobody there. The old lec

buzzed. An u

e drink. Don't worry, this is

he messa

knew I was here? I had come to this floor because I needed somewhere to hide. I always needed somewhe

new how little my parents cared about me. I had been

cancelled, and I had planned to spend part of the

urs of sleep, I woke at about three in the a

e to our campus for a friendly gam

ne of the few things that could m

cked up my bag. I had barely reached the living

side her, holding her hand. Both

her wasn't someon

hat hap

made my stomach turn. My father tried

towards me and started striking m

ase. What

at I was apologising for. Then her hands

hat you did?" she scre

d her. Then she said the words tha

body went numb. Not because I was being strangled. Because I h

her go!"

said the only reason she had never done it was bec

en me away after I was born. They had considered sendin

in br

en before either of us had even been born. My father eventually pulled my

g me names. I tried to stand. My legs refused to cooperate. I reached for th

and ran. I didn't look behind me. I couldn't. I had already heard en

The football match had already started. Normally, I

tenth floor. Almost nobody went there. There were a few ol

where nobody searched for me. A place where

g inside broke apart. I cried until my head hurt. My mother's words

d remain. They had chosen Shane. They hadn't even known whether the second baby

h

had I

re I had even opened my eyes? I alr

away was different. It destroyed the last little piece of hope I had been carryin

rhaps one day I would matter. Now I knew better. I had never bee

coul

nything? How could I look at my parents again? B

urn to. No family member waiting to take me in. So I remaine

ver. When I opened my eyes again, the room

o'c

my bag. That was when I not

cu

and saw that it was hot chocola

d around the room. Nobody. Th

and s

rly l

tupid prank on me? People at univers

later. I didn't trust surprises anymore. Then my pho

e drink. Don't worry, this is

erson know? Hot chocolate was my favou

melled it. The familiar sweet smell reached me, and I

or the first time that day, something f

are

ed my

ink. It was really ni

s the lift. There was still no answer. When I finally l

other part knew I had nowhere else

ut eventually, my feet carried me towards the

Shane were sitting together, watching televis

ed about dinner. They had ordered foo

nued complaining. I said nothin

table. Sleep wouldn't come. My min

have kil

sed m

My heart began beating faster as I pick

e is right. Until then, call me what

nce

led me that. Not my parents. Not Shane. Not an

n't have

ing unwanted and invisible, that tiny act of kindness reached a part

eone had made me feel special. And