"Okay, class. We got the final essay due in less than a month," announced Karmin's sociology professor, Ms. Tsosie. "Luckily for you, we don't have a final exam, so I expect stellar work. With that, you're all free to leave and I'll see you next week."

Karmin lowered the baseball cap and quickly rose from her seat. Her stress had decreased with the no exam for this class, but she still had to study for her other two courses. If only she could study for longer than ten minutes without wanting to cry in pain or exhaustion. She just wanted this month to be over already.

As she stumbled down the stairs, she caught Leo's angry stare as he forcefully shoved his laptop into his backpack without taking his gaze off her. It usually bothered her when people were mad at her, but now, she couldn't care less. Karmin continued her path through the lecture hall, keeping her head down.

It had only been three days since her fight, and her face was still very much Shrek-like. Her parents hadn't caught a good look at her face quite yet with her leaving early in the morning for class and coming later in the evening. She ate most of her food in her room with the excuse of having to study. Strangely enough, Aaliyah was covering for her, whether it was bringing dinner to her or giving out excuses as to why Karmin was going to be late.

She kept a firm grip on her backpack as she weaved through the large crowd. She was terrified someone might steal it with the 40,000 dollars stashed away. It was a lot heavier than she thought it would be. Today she was finally going to the hospital to pay for her Dad's surgery. They had recently got a call from the doctor, who said they only had a few days, so she needed to be quick.

Karmin almost made it outside when she heard someone call her name. She had been in this situation a while ago with it being Leo. But now, it was Maddox.

She hadn't talked to him since that night, even when he texted or called her. She sat at the very front of today's class, knowing very well he wouldn't follow her. Karmin had no desire to talk to him. Maybe she was being childish, but she was mad. He had kissed her back and then went ahead to say it was a mistake.

She didn't take playing with her emotions very lightly.

Karmin turned around to see him awkwardly standing in the middle of the hallway, waving at her with a red face. Her heart skipped a beat when she realized how much he was going out of his way to talk to her. Sure, it seemed like a small thing, but for Maddox, yelling in a crowded hallway and drawing attention to himself was hard.

She wanted to cave in, but instead, she sighed and turned back around to quicken her steps. Her ribs ached, and her abdomen cramped, but she kept going.

By the time she was across the campus, headed to the subway station, she was breathing heavily and clutching her side. She needed to take a break. Sit down and just breathe. But there was no time.

So, she continued her journey down the streets to the large staircase to the underground station.

She had a life to save.

***

The nurse was a little startled when Karmin began pulling out stacks of money.

I bet she thinks I sell drugs.

Karmin just smiled at her kindly, pushing the bag towards her. After explaining what it was for and how she wanted to stay anonymous, she was on her way back home.

Her shoulders felt lighter knowing her Dad was going to get the surgery. The smile on her lips was permanent, and finally, something good came out of all of this.

She finally knew that her decision was the right one.

When she opened the door to her house, she was met with exciting screams and hugs.

"Dad's getting the surgery!" shrieked Aaliyah as she shook Karmin in excitement.

Damn, they work fast.

"No way!" Karmin exclaimed, acting as if she wasn't the reason this was happening.

"We just got the call from Dr. Ambrose," she explained, dragging her to the living room.

Her Dad was sitting upright on the couch, the largest grin she had seen on his face in months. He was trying to comfort her Mom as she cried into his arms.

"I told you everything was going to be okay, Sukh," he said calmly. "God is looking out for us."

Karmin quickly fixed her baseball cap as she took a seat beside them. "I think this calls for a party," she smiled, throwing her arms around them.

"Yes, you are right!" agreed her Mom. "We will order pizza!"

"And cake?" her Dad asked bashfully.

"Anything you want," laughed Karmin. "What kind? Red velvet?"

Her Dad scratched his beard, considering the many possibilities. "Let's go crazy and get confetti."

"I like the way you think, Dad," mused Aaliyah.

"Ali and I can go pick up everything right now," offered Karmin, getting up from her seat.

"Wait, come sit with us first. You too, Ali," ushered their Mom as both of her parents spread out their arms.

Karmin settled back in her seat as Aaliyah shuffled to join them. The four of them squeezed into the sofa, leaning back into the soft cushions. She laid her head onto her Dad's shoulder and grabbed her sister's hand tightly. They sat there in silence, embracing one another with the fear of their father's life no longer looming over them.

"How are we going to get the money for the rest of the surgery?" asked Aaliyah quietly as she finally called out the elephant in the room.

"With the disability cheques, my extra shifts, and savings, we still have 100,000 dollars to go. If we get a loan, then it'll be less," sighed her Mom tiredly as she rubbed her sunken eyes.

Karmin cussed internally. All of her blood, sweat, and tears still wasn't enough.

But then the scene of her crying in Viola's arm flashed in her mind. She never wanted to feel that way again.

You did as much as you could. You got the surgery. You can figure out what to do later, she told herself.

For once, Karmin finally put herself first. She needed to think about her health and safety, because if she was dead, who was going to help her Dad? Maddox and Viola have been trying to explain this to her ever since she started at the fight club, but she paid no heed to their warnings.

But now, she finally understood.

"Everything is going to be okay," whispered her Dad.

Before, those words seemed like a lie. Unreachable. Impossible. A fad that she repeated to make herself feel better. But it was temporary relief.

And now, for the first time in months, she believed those simple words. She could see the light at the end of the dark tunnel. It was a long, tiring walk, but they finally made it. There were hurdles still blocking their path, but they could do it.

Ares was no longer a problem. He had his fight with her, and all of his honor was restored or whatever. She never had to see him again, and for the future, she would make sure to stray away from any members of My Brother's Keeper.

Karmin sighed contently, closing her eyes in peace, only to be disturbed by her Mom.

"Don't think I can't see those bruises."

Damn it.

***

Author's Note:

Hey!

Also, I am thinking of releasing my new book, Stealing Is An Art Form! I am super excited for it, but I probably won't be able to start writing it until March :(

Until next time - m.k.t