"Hey mom, is daddy mad at me?" She said to one of the few people she trusted. Her mom looked down, with years of wrinkles on her face and teary eyes. Her blue eyes glinted and with the saddest of smiles she said, "No baby, he's just having a little tantrum like you do sometimes."
"But what if he is mad with me?"
"Then you'll just have to put up with it, sweetie."
"What if he does hurt me again?"
"I'll try not to let that happen but just eat now, darling. You have a long day of school ahead."

Home to Stephanie was a tight, cramped apartment. Living by herself was completely new to her, and she was still adjusting. The narrow hallways and old broken elevator always gave her a sense of doom every time she entered the apartment complex.

The apartment complex offered her shelter from the cold dreadful rain and almighty wind as she not so quietly ran through the entrance doors.

She was relieved when she reached her apartment door, the silver numbers glaring back at her and the peeling dark green paint almost laughing at her as she struggled to locate her now lost keys. It didn't help that her hands were wet from the unforgiving rain, her light hair dripping stone cold droplets and her outfit drenched to its core.

She was unnerved by the note she had freshly discovered, and somehow couldn't stop thinking of the insanely gorgeous man she had accidentally bumped into. She knew she could find a bit of peace and quiet to study the day's events, if she could just find her silly keys.

She felt a hand tugging on her coat and whipped around, ready to pounce. A man in a blue polo-shirt and jeans with light brown hair and amber eyes stood before her eyes.

"Hey, could you sign this petition? It's for a good cause." He studied her from head to toe, before his dark eyebrows lowered into a frown, "Are you okay? It looks like you've seen a ghost."

"I don't want to sign your petition, sorry..."

"Sign the petition," He demanded more than said, looking desperate.

"No-"

"Yes, oh wait, is that a yes I heard?"

"No, dumbass."

"I heard a yes. Why, I'm so glad you're going to sign this. Maybe I could kiss you on the cheek for good measure?"

And then the man leaned in, placing a quick wet peck on her cheek. His lips were cold and uncomfortable on her young skin, making her shiver from his touch in a bad way.

Stephanie did not know what to do. Why was this guy being such a jackass?

Forward much?

She had never been one to stand up for herself, but decided that this would be her time to shine!

"Excuse me sir, but I said no, and I didn't ask to be kissed. I would advise having a cold shower outside considering the weather, and to mind your own fucking business."

And with that, almost miraculously, she finally located her tiny keys, swiftly unlocked the door and kicked it shut in the man's shocked gaze.

It felt good to stand up for herself, albeit for fifteen seconds. She wondered if she could do it again, and almost detected the hint of a smile on her face, until she realised the reality of her life, and the smile crumbled, just like her hopes and dreams.

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