We're looking into each others eyes. I can't really figure out what her facial expression is. Is it a look of hate? a look of pity? a look of nothing? I can't seem to figure it out. Whatever it is, it's the first time she is looking at me or even giving a glimpse of her attention.

It's been a minute or two and she's still looking at me with the same expression from 2 minutes ago. And here I am still trying to figure it out. She suddenly turns her head back to the teacher. Making me even more confused. 'Well that was a weird interaction.' I think to myself.

The day went by pretty fast and I'm already on my way back home again. I'm thinking to myself. 'I don't feel like going home. My dad won't even talk to me. He's probably working anyway.' So I decide I don't want to go home yet and take a different route then I normally do, on my way to my favourite cafe.

Seeing the cafe in the distant, I get excited since I haven't been there in a long time.

I step inside and look at the beautiful interior I've missed. This honestly kind of feels like my safe place. Everyone who works here is just so nice. They have a little library corner here and a lot of plants. I love books, plants and coffee. So this is the perfect cafe. It's never really busy so it feels calming in here.

I take a seat at the library corner, I always sit here. Elise, one of the workers here I know pretty well, comes up to me. "Hey Tory, haven't seen you in awhile!" she says with a genuine smile. "Hey, haha yeah I've been kind of busy." I say shyly. "That's a shame! You want the usual?" she asks me. "Yes please, thank you." I say with a smile on my face. She steps away and gives me a quick smile before leaving to make my order. My usual order. I always get a caramel coffee with almond milk. It's really delicious, it's my comfort drink.

I grab my earphones from the front pocket of my schoolbag, and plug them in my phone. I put on my favourite band, the Neighbourhood. I love their music. Whenever I listen to them it feels like I'm in a different world, a world where I feel okay and can be myself.

I see Elise walking back to me with my coffee. I pull out one of my earphones while she puts down my coffee on the little table next to me. I thank her and put my earphone back in.

I close my eyes for awhile, listening to my favourite band. Waiting for my coffee to cool down.

I open my eyes, to drink my coffee. When I notice someone I recognise sitting on the other side of the cafe. I look closely and see Ashlyn sipping on a drink. I look away quickly, scared to have another staring session with her. I have never seen her here... I shrug it off and go on and drink my caramel coffee. I silently sing along to the song playing in my ears, afraid. My lips sync with the lyrics 'when I wake up I'm afraid somebody else might take my place'.

I'm ready to leave the cafe when I see Ashlyn also standing up. I decide to wait until she leaves, otherwise she might think I'm stalking her or something??? She goes to pay for her order and then walks to the door. She looks behind her and gives me a quick glance before walking out of cafe door. So she knew I was here all along?

I walk out of the door and take the long way home.

I open the door the my house and look around. "I guess he's not here again.." I say softly. I walk to my room and study for the rest of the day. I don't feel like eating dinner, so I'll just stay in my room.

I wake up by a sound of the door. My dad. I hear him walk inside and kick off his shoes very loudly. I guess he's drunk again? I grab my phone and look at the time. 01:34.. I put my phone away and try to sleep again.

I wake up very tired, since I woke up multiple times in the might, because of my dad being very loud. I think he was out drinking yesterday night.

Sitting in my geography class, I have my earphones in. Since Mr. Erwin always allows us to listen to music while studying. I look up, thinking about something, when I notice her staring. Again. Ashlyn. What's up with her? Why is she constantly staring at me? It's weird, since she probably doesn't even know my name. I honestly thought she didn't even know I existed.

But here we are again. Looking at each other in class, while everyone is busy with their work.