A/N (edited on 31/7/09): I've decided to lower the rating of the story from M to T, since I've read the story several times over and figured that I was just pushing the T limit instead of actually writing the scenes that needs the M rating. But anyway, if you think that it should be changed back to M, please do tell me.

“What do you mean by that?!” Mum’s shouts from the kitchen were perfectly audible.

“You know perfectly what I mean! You’re always nitpicking on small stuff, and always so suspicious of every damn thing!” Dad shouted back at her.

“5... 4... 3... 2... 1...” I counted in my heart. The piercing sounds of glassware crashing to the floor rang through the house as soon as I finished. I huddled under my blanket, using my pillow as ear muffs to filter out the sound that tortures my soul so much.

This isn’t the first time an argument of such a large scale has happened between my parents. And mum always breaks anything that was in her reach when her anger reaches the boiling point. Mum was always suspicious of dad, because he was caught cheating on her a few months ago. That wasn’t the first time, but it was the last straw. I always blame myself for being the catalyst of their fights – I’m the product of one of dad’s affairs when mum was pregnant with my brother, who is a couple of months older than I was. My existence came to light when my dad’s secret lover – my real mother – died while giving birth to me. Ever since then, mum has lived with full resentment towards me, as she had to take care of a child who was not her own.

The argument was prolonged this time. I hear lots of kicking, slapping, shouting, and wailing sounds. I screamed, but I doubt that anyone heard me through all the commotion happening downstairs. I’m so scared; I want the fight to stop; I wished that my brother, Derrick was here to comfort me like every time when our parents were fighting, but he was currently working in England after running away from home. He, too, couldn’t stand the constant bickering, but only I knew of his whereabouts.

“Wait till I get enough money to support us both. I’ll bring you away from this living hell.” His words always rang in my ears. Derrick knew mum hated me, and dad doesn’t freaking give a damn about the family. His words always supported me, but not today. I was so tired of the never-ending fight, so I packed several pieces of clean clothing, and quietly crept out of the house.

Standing out in the streets, I flipped my handphone open and scrolled through my phonebook, thinking of a suitable place to crash in for the night until the storm brewing at home blows over. Being extremely flustered didn’t help one bit.

“Nope... nope... nuh-uh...” I muttered to myself. Damn it, there has got to be someone who would let me stay for the night! However, I knew very well that these so-called friends are just putting on a fake smile in front of me, as I was the most popular girl in school due to my role as the captain of the cheerleading squad. Everyone wants to be popular in the high school scene which is forever full of backstabbing. I hated that stereotype.

I could feel the warm tears welling up in my eyes in the piercing coldness of the night. Anger and frustration was slowly taking over my senses. When I came to the name ‘Jerome’, I paused and immersed myself in deep thoughts.

“Should I or should I not call him up?” The question swam in my head. Jerome’s a sweet guy who never saw me as a cheerleader. I suppose he’s the only person in the entire school that sees me for who I really am, the way I want people to. In simple terms, he’s my boyfriend, but our relationship was different from the other couples in school. They get together for the sake of gaining popularity or to look good; we’re together because we truly loved one another. However, I’m a devout Christian – an influence from mum that rubbed off on me. It wasn’t so nice to sleep over at my boyfriend’s house...

But I succumbed to my frustration and pressed the ‘Call’ button.

“Hello...?” Jerome’s voice came from the other side of the phone. I felt so relieved to hear his voice that has become an alternate source of comfort to me.

“Hi, Jerome. It’s me, Katherine. Sorry, were you asleep?” I asked, suddenly realising the godly hour after taking a glance at my wristwatch under the pale moonlight.

“Oh hey, Kate, baby! No I wasn’t sleeping. Is there something wrong? It’s rare for you to call me after midnight.”

I smiled at his answer. I knew he was lying, since he always slept by 11 every Friday since his Track and Field practice always wears him out completely. He had to train twice as hard compared to the other members because he’s the captain of the Track and Field team. His show of kindness at the time that I desperately needed someone to talk to moved me to tears.

“Baby, are you okay? Why are you crying?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. Look, is it okay if I came over and stay for the night at your place? Would your parents mind or something?”

“Of course you can. My parents are away for the weekend. Where are you? Want me to come pick you up?”

“No, it’s okay. I’m already outside your home.” It didn’t take long for me to get to Jerome’s house, as it was only a couple of blocks away from my place. I heard him dashing down the stairs, and the next moment, the lock clicked and the door slowly opened.

It only took one glance of his electric blue eyes and auburn hair to reduce me to tears. It was shameful to be crying so much without telling him why, but I couldn’t stop the tears from flowing. Thankfully Jerome is rather considerate. He wrapped his arms around me, and pulled me closer, allowing me to weep in his chest. His warmth promptly enveloped me, calming me down immediately.

“Shh, baby. It’s all okay now. Cry as much as you want, you’ll feel better.” He whispered softly in my ears. I couldn’t find the right words to say, so I just stood there with him in the doorway, sobbing in the cold breeze of the night.