In an ordinary condominium, in a room filled with light pink cupboards and curtains, a girl stood in front of her mirror, brushing her hair to perfection, working on how to..smile properly? Serena wasn't really that used to smiling, so to say, rather she had forgotten how to smile feeling a genuine happiness, a real reason to smile. All she knew was that her family were going to go out in 2 minutes and she needs to look like she didn't spend half the time crying in her bedroom. 2 minutes. In two minutes, she had to make sure to look like the happiest person on earth because she got into the most prestigious college in the country, she scored the highest ranking in her senior year, and her mother "loves her" for it. Itvwas the night before she left tomorrow morning for the college.

*Just remember Serena, you'll be leaving this forsaken house and that godforsaken woman, your aunt, uncle and cousin. You're going to become..happier.. so smile, for the love of god, smile..* Serena thought, hurriedly putting the brush down and wearing her boots.

"SERENA, WE'RE GOING TO LEAVE AND IF YOU DON'T COME OUT IN 10 SECONDS, I WILL LEAVE YOU HERE!" Her mother yelled, again, like usual.

"Maria, could you please not shout like this in the lobby of the floor? Other people live here too, so please maintain your decency. And please, she got into the best college in the country, could you please stop treating her like that?" Spoke Serena's aunt calmly.

Serena's aunt was a neighbour to Serena and her mother, living right next to them with her husband and daughter, who was only a few months younger to Serena. As you could've already guessed, Serena lives alone with her mother, her mother being not such a great person to live with. Maria, Serena's mother, rather to argue stops as Serena walks out of the house, locking the door.

"Did you switch off all the lights?"

"Yes, Mom."

"Did you make sure to close all fans?"

"Yes, Mom."

"Did you make sure to check if all the stoves are off?"

"Yes, mother."

"Did you check if all the balconies are closed?"

"Yes Mom."

"Did you fill all the bottles, jugs? Had you drank your glass of milk in the evening?"

"Yes and yes."

Serena puts the keys in her little purse, and walks towards the lift where the five ofth family members just stood, waiting for the lift. Serena looked at the ceiling, a soft sigh leaving her body. *I'm so tired...I hope today just ends..* She closes her eyes, lost in a dream yet again, imagining how wonderful it must truly be to sit at the wooden deck of a house, in a kimono, watching Sakura bloom, peace...

Opening her consciousness into the real world, she realised that she was already sitting in the car, listening to music.

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After 20 minutes or so, they arrived at the restaurant. Everyone seemed so happy at a glance, talking, eating, drinking, pretending that all is fine. Serena's aunt was talking to her, she was used to treating Serena as her daughter.

"Serena darling, I'm so proud of you. Tell me what you want, I'll get you that gift. You wanted a Playstation, didn't you, i-"

"Mary, I'd suggest you don't spoil my child." Of course, Mother would interrupt.

"Maria, please. I've taken care of Serena like my own daughter, I've raised her too. I'm like her mother, much more than you. And don't take offense, you've done a lot for her as a single mother and you've paid her bills regardless and never allowed me to. At least, let me give her something she wants. It's a mother's gift."

Mary looks into Serena's eyes, holding her hand in her palms, speaking softly. "Darling, what do you want? Aunt Mary will give it to you."

*I want freedom from this world, from her, from even you, from uncle, from cousin Anne, from everyone. I don't want you to spend so much on someone as worthless as me. You know Mom will be mad if i accept, you know that! can get a job and always buy it for myself later. But I know you've already placed the order... but..*

"I'd love a Playstation~! Thank you so much, Aunt Mary! I love you!" Serena smiled brightly, giving her aunt a soft kiss on the cheeks as she laughed. Maria glared with irritation but spoke no word of it. Obviously, she wouldn't ruin the mood right now. Serena felt her heart rate increasing, her palpitations growing stronger. *Stay calm, stay calm..all moments will pass away one day..so will you..so just breathe, breathe..* She took a long breathe, and exhaled, smiling brightly. *Yes, keep it up, good..*

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After the dinner ended, the family went back home. Serena want mortified but smiling softly. Why would she want to show how terribly afraid she was at the moment as was taking out the keys and unlocking the door to her house, knowing once the doors were closed again, her soul will again be crushed..

The mother and daughter went and the door was once more locked.

"About the Playstation, why did you say yes?"

"She's already placed the order, she knew that I've always wanted it."

"Why did you tell her that you wanted it? You think you're so great that other people should spend money on you?"

"No, it's a gift from my uncle and aunt, who've treated me like their own daughter. They know me very well."

"Only like a daughter. And why did you not tell me about your fantasy for a Playstation?"

"You would've got angry and I'm not comfortable with you. You know that. Don't act like you're my real mother, you're only a guardian now, and not even for long. I can my family what i want, and I'll pay them back one day. After all I'm not a failire anymore."

"HOW DARE YOU TALK BACK TO ME?!" Serena runs towards her bedroom, locking the door. She didn't want to deal with this, not today, not tomorrow. She went to the bathroom, took a shower, changed into her nightsuit and climbed into her bed, closing her eyes.

*I just want to be done with today...Just tomorrow, please come quickly..I can't wait to leave..*