"Don't look at my mother like that, asshole," the girl said as soon as she was gone, immediately picking a fight with Beam.
Beam twisted his face in annoyance. "Like what?" He said, struggling to hold in the urge to sigh.
"Like you feel sorry for her. She doesn't need or want your pity. Besides, you should be more worried about yourself, you look like a mess," she said, jabbing a finger at him with so much venom that the fabric of her woollen dress shook from the force.
Beam didn't even bother to look down on himself. He was looking far better than he had previously, so even with Nila's aggressive assertions, he didn't feel more self-conscious than he otherwise might have, he just grew more irritated.
"I think I prefer dealing with Perth," he muttered under his breath, turning away, wishing he could just skip this house entirely now.
"What was that?" The girl said, frowning, either not hearing or not understanding.
