The days that followed Tressi's first ever therapy session, saw her slip back into her usual routine.

She usually took the bus to school. On the days she was late, Des would drop her off on his way to work. Loscho High wasn't far—only fifteen minutes away. She'd leave at seven-forty and be back by three-thirty latest.

But the following week would mark the start of mid-terms, and that required Tressi to stay back an hour everyday to help the school with preparation.

"It just isn't worth it, Tress. I don't understand why you don't just say no. They take you for granted, dumping you with all this work and not giving you a raise or promoting you. Why do you do it?" Des asked that Thursday evening when it was almost seven by the time she returned home.

"It's my job, Des." She rolled her eyes.

"Not really. You go above and beyond every single time, but do you get anything out of it? No. I just don't want to see you taken advantage of." He removed his glasses and leaned forward—a sign he was serious.

Tressi laughed. "No one's taking advantage of me, Des. It'll all help in the long run. Mr. Coram's taking notice. Trust me."

"How that guy ever got to be a principal, I'll never know. You have twice the brains he does, yet you let him walk all over you," Des said frustratedly, running his hand through his hair.

"You have no idea how it is, Des. I like my job, I'm good at it and doing these extra bits will help. You'll see."

Des shrugged and turned back to the TV, dropping it.

"Did you at least eat something though?" he asked over his shoulder, still looking at the TV as Tressi rummaged around the kitchen.

"Yeah. Had a sandwich at five." She opened the fridge to see a cupcake box sitting inside. "Did you get cupcakes?" she hollered.

"No, it was Tro's last day. He gave out a box to everyone. The fancy kind too. Some French sounding name. Don't know what he's trying to prove," he snorted.

"Be nice," Tressi muttered as she opened the box to see twelve beautiful pieces of pastry decorated artfully. But Tressi couldn't appreciate them, for as soon as she opened the box, potent vanilla wafted up at her.

"Tressi, can you come in here for a minute? I can't get this zip up."

Edda called from somewhere behind, as the little hairs at the nape of Tressi's neck stood up. But it wasn't all Edda's voice though- it had a strange echo to it, as if she'd spoken the words from the end of a long empty hallway. Tressi gasped, taking more of the smell in accidentally.

"Tress, come on! I don't have all day."

Edda was closer now, directly behind. Vanilla and citrus enveloped her completely. Tressi could almost see her sister's silhouette in her peripheral vision.

With shaking hands, Tressi placed the cupcakes on the counter shutting the lid. It muted the scent just a little bit.

"Tressi!"

Edda was annoyed now- it was clear in her voice. Tressi had to resist the urge to turn back with every fiber of her being. She walked out of the kitchen, getting as far away from the smell as possible. With every step it grew lighter. She walked up the stairs past the living room. Des didn't notice her go up, he was glued to the TV.

Tressi ran up to the bathroom as soon as she cleared the landing. She shut the door and walked to the sink with legs that seemed to be made out of jelly. She opened the tap running her hands through the stream, concentrating only on the steady sound and the refreshing coolness. Her reflection showed beads of sweat and her skin felt clammy. She cupped some water with both her hands and splashed it on her face. It felt impossibly good.

She then decided that a shower was the best idea and went outside to get a towel from the pile of folded laundry that hadn't been put away yet. As she pulled one out—frustratingly at the bottom—she could hear Des bounding up the stairs. It startled her and she worked on quickly making her features smooth.

Stop breathing so hard.

Des flung the door open with her phone in his hand. He handed it to her, "You got a call. Tried to bring it up before it stopped ringing. When did you come up?" he asked, slightly out of breath.

"Just now. I thought I'd take a shower," she said, as held up the towel as evidence.

"Oh, okay. You might want to call back first though, right? Also who's Mrs. Lepoci?"