Ella's pov:

Do I trust him?

Will I trust him?

Should I trust him?

That has been my thought process from last night, up until this moment.

Pulling up to the mall, I look down at the list I made myself just so I would remember what I needed.

Which pretty much was sweatshirts, t-shirts, leggings, and fuzzy socks.

I normally don't like to go shopping, I find it easier just to log onto Amazon and go from there, but I felt like all I did this past week was stay inside.

I am honestly proud of forcing myself to actually use my legs to move other than walking to the kitchen or the bathroom.

Walking through the mall, it was pretty crowded, mostly because school was starting back up way sooner than I would have liked it too.

As much as I tried to forget about it, there were too many things that reminded me that my friends would be starting there senior year of highschool.

As much as the Wells family has offered me, food, a place to sleep, I knew that there was a limit on what they could provide me.

I wasn't there daughter, I would need my real parents to enter me into the school system.

Even if I didn't see them anymore, or haven't communicated with them for this long, they still controlled my life.

But my way out is only a couple months away.

The big eighteen.

I feel like I have been waiting for the moment my whole entire life.

Ever since my parents changed for the worse, when they started to become who they are today, I have been wanting a way out.

I always hated how my mom would always say how much girls would kill to have my life.

The money, the house, but if I could trade that for a family like Julie's, I would do it faster than a snap of a finger.

Shaking my head, I lose my train of thought.

I am here to shop, not to think about all these negatives.

I am here to search for the next clothes I'll be wearing for the next couple of weeks straight.

I mean, it really wasn't a search at all, what store doesn't sell the most basic clothing items of all time?

The fuzzy socks though might be a little more tricky, but when I get the chance to wear them, I will soon appreciate the time spent trying to find them.

Looking through the rack of sweatshirts, I try not to tempt myself into buying every single one of them.

This store wasn't particularly crowded, but enough people to accidentally bump into from time to time.

I was looking through a certain brand of clothing when I started to feel like I was being watched.

It was like an uncomfortable feeling that settled in, but when I would look around, all I saw were other shoppers.

No one stood out.

Except one.

But before I could react, or turn away, I was noticed.

"Ella?!" I watch my mom as her jaw drops.

I knew why I didn't recognize her.

She was different.

Her cloths didn't consist of her daily attire of heels, a fancier dress, and her hair and make up done.

Compared to what she usually looked like, she was more careless, 'improper' based on what she would usually tell me.

But what made me more confused was why she was here.

She hated malls.

Actually, she hated anything that wasn't upper class, or you know, that wasn't made for specifically her.

"Excuse me." I try to move away past her, but she grabs a hold of my arm.

I needed to get out of here.

I am not going back.

I can't.

"Wait." She says.

And what she did next took me by surprise.

She hugs me.

Actually hugs me.

It might seem like no big deal, but it was... to me.

She hasn't hugged, or shown me any affection in years.

Even when I was in the hospital from the crash, she didn't do anything.

I stand there shocked, as she pulls me closer, sniffling.

"I am so sorry." She cries.

I couldn't bring myself to hug her back, I couldn't bring myself to say anything.

I was frozen.

I was sad.

I was angry.

I was confused.

I was doubtful that this moment even existed.

She pulls back away from me as she looks at me, wiping away tears.

I couldn't meet her eye, in fact, I couldn't even look at her.

"Ella, please forgive me."

I almost wanted to laugh and cry at the same time.

She thinks it's that easy, doesn't she?

"And then what? I forgive you and it's a happily ever after story right?"

"I should have never said that, you are my daughter Ella, I could never think that."

"So the words just accidentally came out of your mouth? I would be a real bitch to believe that." I snap at her.

She looks taken back by my words, but to add to my surprised state, she doesn't call me out on it.

"Ella... do you remember what I said the day of the dinner?" Her voice softens, her crying state taking its tool.

"Do you really think I could possibly remember that?" I cross my arms in front of my chest.

She only shakes her head at me, "You know what I am talking about."

And as much as I hated to admit it, she was right.

How could I ever forget?

"Ella... she likes adventure. Much to my dismay, she likes to be put in the face of danger and have a challenge, which honestly makes her stronger than other people I have encountered with."

"Why does it even matter?"

"Because it is true, you are so different from your sister."

That only makes me angry, "Yeah I know, I think you made it pretty clear when you-..."

"No, please listen." I close my mouth as I signal her to continue.

"Sure, me and Ally have similar tastes, clothes, makeup, but.. what makes you different... makes me love you for you."

She said love.

The tears in her eyes return, "That's why I am sorry. Every day of my life, I should have told you how much I loved you. But I didn't. And when you left, I never regretted it more in my life. I thought you were gone... for good. I thought you were taken, I thought you were hurt. Just thinking... that you could have left thinking that I never loved you was what killed me the most."

Again, the temptations came back...

To run away.

But not this time.

Not ever.

"What do you want mom?"

I couldn't say it.

I couldn't say I love you back.

And she knew it, because it showed on her face, "Please... come home."

"No."

"No?"

"I'm happy mom, I'm happy having a choice, I'm happy being myself."

"But you can be happy! At home-..."

"How can I when I feel like a prisoner in my own house?!"

Again, I attempt to walk away, but she moves her body in front of mine.

"I'll do anything, just name it, please." She grabs both my hands.

I pause.

Anything?

I wanted to shout, 'I want nothing from you!'

But that statement would be wrong.

I do need something from her.

This could be my only ticket to get what I want.

"Fine, but on one condition..."

"Anything you want." She squeezes my hands.

"From now on, things are going to go my way.

I am not your dress up doll.

I am not your 'perfect' daughter.

I am not staying locked up in the house.

I am not letting you choose how to live my life.

And if you don't like these rules, I won't be afraid to leave."

She stands there, her mouth open in shock, but she doesn't fight back, nor does she even utter a word. She just simply nods her head.

I don't trust her.

I don't know if I ever could trust her.

But things are going to be different from now on, and I won't ever stop fighting to make sure of it.