I'm almost 18, which means that Uncle Bart may stop paying for school. Graduation is not far away and I would love to go to university. How can I pay for university? Mum was on the phone talking to someone when I was about to leave for school.

"Bye Mum," I whispered and waved.

She just turned her back to me and continued talking on the phone. I just left and went to school.

It was cold, foggy, and just bloody depressing. As always, I walked alone, since Dad died, I've been alone with my thoughts and memories.

At the school steps, I saw my favorite schoolmate Victoria kissing her stepfather Sam goodbye.

"Good morning Vic, Sam. Lovely day isn't it?" I asked being slightly facetious.

"Chillier than Frosty the Snowman, I hope you're dressed warmly Emma." Sam said.

He was blind but he knows my voice for miles.

"Yes sir. We don't wanna be late."

"Course not, have a good day."

"Bye Sam!" Victoria said.

We walked in the school.

The Biology classroom was dead quiet because of an exam. So quiet that if I yawned, even as quietly as I could, everyone will hear it.

Question #4: What is the information molecule found in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells?

A. Protein

B. DNA

C. The ecosystem

D. Lipids

E. Mutation

Shit that's a lot of choices! It was a multiple choice question, so...my go-to strategy, process of elimination. Ecosystem is out because it's environmental like a desert or a heavy winter here in the UK. DNA is out too, and lipids. It has to be protein, yep...my final answer, A. As soon as the bell rang for next class, the teacher said one of the things I despise more than homework.

"I will be assigning paired projects tomorrow!"

Mother fucker! Victoria is in this class, I'll be getting my hopes up for being paired with her.

I walked to my apartment, the door was locked. I knocked.

"Mum!"

I waited a few seconds.

"Mummy!" I banged.

She opened the door with my night bag.

"Get out, I got some friends over, here's your night and sleeping bag. Hurry and go to your uncle's place for the night!"

This happens every once in a while, Mum invites friends, get fucked up till dawn, jittery when I come back. Been like this since Dad died. She spiraled, I have tried to get her to quit but she shrieks that she's in pain, that I'm ungrateful and don't understand. Well off to Uncle Bart's, where there's a chance I may encounter criminal activity and prostitution.