e

ks. My body went rigid when he did the same to me. His lip

out a smile and spoke. He

d find in the kitchen," Mom explained. I woke up and found her putting wet and dry ingredients t

t one left so I'm still searching for a new

." I wanted to roll my eyes at her statement. She had already started succumbi

nd squeezed it. Didn't he know how a mere touch from him affects my brain cells and body? "Tessa, This

idn't. He was still looking at me, maybe waiti

ulling his hand away. The loss of

obviously, I wasn't rea

y made all the preparations. She can resume by ne

ter. I can't th

d forward and kissed her on the lips, right in my pre

mine in silence. Mom and her new husband were enga

pick you up. I know you're not familiar with the city yet," he said to my mom,

s disappearing figure until Mom clea

d. I told you he'd take good care of us. See, he ev

my brain finally processed what

he same space of a father in my heart. I hope you'll giv

st time being married. She calls Mr. Carter on everything to buy. She went as far as to forget I existed.

home before I confronted her.

y my question. "What

he phone all through. You didn't even cast a look in my direction. Am I safe?" I

a. Why are you overreacting? Of course, you're my daughter. As for Ca

ocus on how to do better in the new school. The sound of her phone ringing blared through t

u're speaking t

h me. I will be on my way now. Thank y

e convenience store. Let me go and

mall baby. Don't stay t

And she alighted away. I rested my ba

The memories we left behind in Newark surfaced, making a smile form

gh my school books. I study human anatomy. I'm in my third yea

ttention. "Mom, you're-" My words hung in the a

ippers. My heart, flipping inside its ribcage, sta

He occupied the empty part next to m

goo

around the living room. "She left the credit card

?" His eyes finally noticed the books

go through them before I start schoo

a hardworkin

o start a conve

your curr

first before answ

my course at the college. Feel free to let me know where you're having problem

re I could control them. I bit my lip in disappoi

u can give me

y lap. Did he have any idea what that was doing to my body? "Don't w

I could swear his eyes spared my lips a glance. My heart hammered inside at the

t my thigh, and he stood up. They hugged each other. "I calle

worried I would lose your credit card

ith you. Use it to b

h? I can make us something light," she

at it." He gave me one last look before walking upstairs. I

getting along," Mom te

me in. But then, he offered to tutor me

e us something light. And no, I don't want you in my kitchen." It was as if

ting back to the couch. "Let me get the other textbook,"

e room when I found myself stopping and glancing at Mr. Carter's room. The urge to go to

ut to drop my hand down when the door was pulled open, making me almost lose balance since I was still holding onto the knob. Mr. Carter was quick

ompted me to speak. "I wanted to show you the course

I was met with a dimly lit room. My heart hammered inside. What the

made my way towards the bed and sat down next to him, leaving enough space. "Come closer. Why are you beh

me. I found myself staring back at him. Something was ringing in my head, topped with the

clenched my hand on the textbook. His face was a few inches away from mine. "Yo