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"Who were you talking to on the phone?" Hero asked as we both tried our best to warm up in the bathroom.

"I don't know," I answered honestly. "I think it was my mother- I'll have to talk to her later."

Hero huffed. "Why are still talking to that woman? She's awful to you."

"She's still my mother," I said, "I love her. Besides, there's a lot going on in my life at the moment. Finding out that My father isn't really my birth father-"

"What?" Hero exclaimed. "You didn't tell me about that."

I raised an eyebrow. "I thought I already did?"

Hero shook his head. "Not that I can remember."

"Oh," I replied, shrugging, "I'm sorry. I've been out of sorts lately. On top of flunking my classes, My mother met with me at lunch that one day when you and Kylie... interrupted us... and told me that my real father never wanted to be a part of my life."

Hero looked remorseful. "I'm so sorry."

I shrugged. "Don't be. My mother can't seem to decide what to do. She's all over the place, wanting a restraining order one second, then retracting it the next. I have to talk to them both to see what's happening."

As Hero slipped on his pants and snuck past me to find a shirt, he argued with me on this subject.

"No, I don't want you meeting with your father," He said, "Letting you see that wretched woman you call a mother is one thing."

I tip-toed into the bedroom with my skirt still soaking wet.

"I'm sorry, I missed the part where I followed your every order. You're not my parent."

Once Hero was fully dressed, he swiveled around, pinning me with a glare.

"You just told me he's not your father. He's done some questionable things since I've known you. Who knows what he's capable of."

I sighed. "Hero... I've lived with him for years. I'll be honest with you; my mother did say he was abusive in the past but I'm not sure-"

"Yeah," Hero laughed sarcastically, "You're definitely not going anywhere near him."

I crossed my arms, realizing I didn't look intimidating enough bare-chested. "I'm not going to allow you to push me around like some doormat."

Hero took a deep breath, closing his eyes. "Kristina. I don't care what that man did- physically or mentally- I told you about my childhood. I cannot stand by while I hear the word abuse. I protect what's mine. I need you to know that."

I fell silent at this. "I'm sorry. I didn't think about it that way."

Hero nodded. "I know. It's okay. Just let me come with you if you're going to meet with that prick."

I huffed. "Fine. And don't call him that."

Hero rolled his eyes. "Come on. Get dressed. I have a spare shirt you can wear. We'll swing by your dorm so you can finish getting ready."

Later when I was at my shift, everything went as expected. Josephine asked if everything had gone okay and I had told her only half of the truth. I didn't want to bombard her with the same old drama. I was worried some day she was going to ditch me because of how annoying I was.

What took me by surprise was later in the shift when Jo and Lucy were having a conversation about schedule changes.

"So did it work for me to have the fourteenth off?" Josephine asked.

Lucy smiled. "Yeah. It all checks out."

"What's up?" I asked heading behind the counter.

"Oh," Josephine jumped up and down in glee. "I almost forgot to tell you- After term ends in February, I'm going on a vacation."

"To where? What about your studies? Don't you want to jump back on the wagon as soon as possible?"

Josephine shrugged playfully. "I already talked to my parents about it, but they said I could go as long as I promise to stay on top of things. Niall invited me to go to Tahiti with his family."

I was taken aback by this fact. Yes, my family had the means to travel at our leisure, but we hadn't in some time. Even when people had the means, it was difficult to plan.

"Wow, you two must be getting serious," I said.

Jo grinned. "Yeah, I think so. I'm so happy and nervous- Oh! Before I forget! Niall and Hero's parents are good friends and are throwing an event tomorrow night. They all want to bury the hatchet. Lucy here said two people can cover our shift for it."

I bit down on the inside of my cheek. "I don't remember Hero mentioning any of this to me."

"Yeah," Josephine replied, seeming a bit disappointed, "He doesn't seem to talk to you about anything... Look, I know Hero's mother and you didn't get off on the right foot, but I encourage you to come. It'll be fun. Plus, you can dress up."

"I don't know," I said, "I'm not sure Hero will want to go."

Josephine didn't look impressed. "Come on. You don't always have to have the guy with you. Please."

I first looked back at Lucy, hoping that she'd intervene. When I saw that she was fully supportive, I gave in.

"Fine. I'll go for you."

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