RACHEL'S POV

Staring down at my food, I felt anything other than hungry. I had been in San Diego for a week and a half and as much as I wanted to support my Dad, I missed Tony. He had called me every night and we spoke for hours on end. I loved hearing his voice, it reminded me that when my Dad passes I won't be completely alone.

'I'm done,' I announced to my Aunt, standing up and taking my plate over to the bin to scrape the curry off. I gave her a small smile as she glared at me, unimpressed. I put the plate in the sink and then went to my room.

I lay down on my bed and pulled out my phone, it was only quarter to 8. Seconds later, Aunt came barging in with a look of fury on her face. 'Who do you think you are?' she shouted, moving closer to me. 'We are all loosing someone close to us, don't act like you're the only one.' Tears began to stream down her face. 'I am loosing my brother!' She screamed, tossing a clenched fist against the wall behind her. The woman was in her sixties, but the punch sounded strong. 'You come in here and act like your whole world's ending, hmm? No! Don't eat my food and chat with your friends over the phone like nothing is happening! Stop being such a little- a little bitch! You need to grow up! I don't want you in my house if you're going to continue to act like this!'

'Aunt!' I begged as she lifted me off the bed and pushed me out of the room. 'Aunt, please! I had no idea I was being a burden I-' She pushed me through the door and watched as I stumbled out on to the porch.

'Think about how selfish you've been, mrs. Grow up. I can't believe I even let a satanist like you in my household. I am disgusted that John ever raised such a horrid person.'

My heart shattered at her words. I am no satanist? My father raised me well. She is the most terrible of people. I picked myself up and began to run to an old spot I went to when I was a young girl trying to escape my nightmares. I use to climb out my bedroom and run there whenever things got bad.

I ran through the bushes and sat myself down on the log that, surprisingly, was still there from my childhood. Trembling, I pulled out my phone and called Tony - I have nowhere to live. What am I going to do? The tears continued.

'Hey Rae- What's up?'

I swallowed the lump in my throat. 'She kicked me out, Tony. Called me a satanist! The fuck is that about?'

'Seriously? Did she give you any of your stuff?'

'No,' I choked out. 'God, I'm a mess.'

'Where are you? Are you safe?'

'I'm in an old spot I use to come to, I'm safe. I just, what now?'

'I need to hang up, I will call you back in a few seconds.'

'Why? Tony please I-'

'It's going to help you, I promise. Give me one second.'

The line went silent. I took the phone away from my ear and placed it next to me. Sobbing into my palms, I tried to think of what I was going to do. My thoughts were interrupted by the phone ringing.

'Hey,' said Tony.

'Hi.'

'Okay, are you anywhere near Oslow Road?'

'A few blocks, yeah. Why?'

'Right, I have a place for you to stay. I live at number 14, my Mum's expecting you. I never told you this because, well, I never knew until recently but... I worked for your Dad. My Mum knows him too.'

'Seriously?'

'Yeah, I'm serious. It's pretty weird how we never met, hm?'

'It is,' I said, sniffling.

'I guess San Diego's a big place, and we did go to different schools after all. She said for you to come when you're ready.'

'Thank you, Tony. I don't know what I'd do without you.'

'You too. I love you, Rae. You'll be okay.'

'Thanks,' I exhaled. 'I better go and, uh, meet your family then.'

'Okay,' he laughed. 'No sneaking about in my stuff though!'

'Hmm.. Bye,' I said, and then hung up.

---

Finding the house, I cautiously approached it. It looked humble - the plants had been tended to recently, the door had a cute little plaque on it, the paint work was flawless, the glow being emitted through the floral curtains made you feel warm inside. I fixed my hair and wiped away the last of my tears before knocking softly on the door.

Moments later, a small Mexican woman opened it. She had a large smile that could light up a room, an adorable waddle and a laugh that could make anyone smile. 'Hello dear, I am mama Perry.'

'Hi,' I smiled, 'I'm Rachel.'

'I know,' she grinned, stepping aide to let me in. I was instantly hit by an enticing smell, one that made you breathe oddly so you could smell it more. 'I've heard a lot about you, even before today.' I looked at her quizzically and she chuckled to herself before continuing, leading me through to the living room as she did so. 'Our boy,' she said, gesturing for me to sit on the spongy couch, 'he's a mama's boy. He calls me once a week, regardless. He told me all about how he got a girlfriend and how he played a part in breaking her ankle and how she was okay with it.'

'Ah,' I said, 'the mountain date.'

'That's the one,' she smiled. 'I am so sorry to hear about your father, he is a good man. Your family have been through enough over the years.'

'Thanks,' I nodded. 'I still can't believe you know him, that's incredible.' As the couch pulled me in to its comfy embrace, I began to yawn.

'It is, are you tired? Here, I'll show you your room.'

The little woman jumped to her feet and hurried past me, climbing the stairs. I followed behind her, glancing at the pictures of the family the were all over the walls. She led me past two doors, telling me one was the bathroom, before stopping outside another.

'This is your room,' she said as she opened the door. 'I hope it's alright.'

'It's lovely,' I smiled, and I was being sincere. It was a very cute little room - the curtains were cream, the walls had the odd plaque on them and the floral bed sheets were adorable. The whole place was stinking of Lavender though.

'I'll leave you to settle in then. Goodnight my dear,' said the little woman, pulling me in for an unexpected tight hug. She pulled away and planted a sloppy hiss on my cheek before waddling back out the room.

I took of my clothes (as I would have to wear them tomorrow until I got my case off Aunt) and then folded them. Placing them on a chair, I slid under the covers and allowed my head to sink in to the feathery pillow. My eyes were extremely heavy and I tried not to sneeze as the smell of lavender kept me up. Fighting it, I eventually drifted off.

Suddenly, I woke up and threw myself forward - I was having a bad dream. I looked at my phone to see that it was 2am. I miss Tony. I hate sleeping alone. Sighing, I got an idea through the haze of my tired mind. I could go into Tony's room, just for a look. I could see what things he doesn't tell me, maybe be collects stamps or something.

Sliding out form under the covers, I grabbed my hoodie and wrapped it around my naked body. I tiptoed across the hall to Tony's room and was quiet as I opened the door and shut it behind me. I turned the light on to reveal a small room covered in band posters and Star Wars stuff. His room smelled like him - the smell I missed. I climbed under his covers and rested my head against his pillow. I began to think about all the times he's laid here. I wonder what's went through his mind? I wonder how he was feeling? My eyes began to feel heavy again. Knowing that I couldn't sleep in his bed, I decided to steal one of his tops. I grabbed one out of his drawer before turning the light off and going back to my bed. I threw my hoodie aside and pulled on his large t-shirt. Smiling as the smell drowned out the Lavender, I climbed back into bed. My eyes soon shut once again.

Notes

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