THE CLOCK hit seven on the dot and as though it was an alarm, Cora's eyes darted at the phone at her bedside. She hugged her knees tightly as the sudden wave of anxiety began to settle in.

A part of her wanted the phone to ring, she wanted to speak but the other part, the part she was more afraid of wanted to forbid her from answering. It wanted her to crawl back on the sheets like she was seven again.

The sound of the phone ringing echoed through the whole room. She waited for the third ring before picking it up with shaky hands.

"Hello."

"Hello, is this Miss Hardaway?" The voice said from the other end.

"Yes."

"Well, sorry to inform you that your father can't come to the phone right now."

"Why?" She forced the words out as she hoped she won't regret asking them.

"He's still in his therapy. I will have him call back when he's done." The friendly female voice told her.

"Don't." She sharply interjected. "I will probably be asleep by then."

"Is your mother around?"

"No. She's not." She answered.

"Okay then. We will try this call another time." The woman said politely and ended the call.

Once she heard the long beep at the end, she breathed out a sigh of relief. Apparently she was rooting for the part of her that didn't want to pick up the phone. But for an odd reason, she still felt chocked and she needed air.

She hurriedly threw her plaid red and black jacket over the black crop top she was wearing with jeans. She shoved her converse shoes on and ran out the house like it was pulling all the air out of her.

She pulled out her phone from her pockets and texted Erin telling her where she would be. She walked to the nearest dinner and sat at a dark booth.

"What can I get you?" Not long, a waitress walked up to her and asked.

"Just a milkshake." She replied without looking up at her.

"Vanilla or chocolate?"

"Vanilla please."

"Sure thing, doll." The waitress walked away.

She felt a light tap on her shoulder as she waited for her order. She turned around and her eyes widened in shock as she saw Keon hovering over her with a broad smile.

"Can I help you?" She wondered.

"I just saw you sitting here. Was wondering if I could join you?"

"I prefer to be by myself, thank you." She looked down for a while before bringing her eyes back to the table.

"Okay. But if you change your mind, I'm at the end over there." He pointed it out although she didn't turn back to see where he pointed out but he knew she turned back to see where he was walking to. He felt her eyes on him and for that, he grinned.

Cora's outfit. That's how I pictured it though. I actually really like plaid jackets, I think they are cool. I was going to go for a black and white plaid jacket but then I saw this outfit put together so I just went for this. What color would you guys have chosen?

Well, thank you guys for reading and don't forget to vote!!! I appreciate it.

Love,
_Star.