The cold rain poured through Milly's hoodie, each heavy droplet sticking to her skin as she trudged home. Her hoodie became a second skin to her. As thunder rolled in the distance, blurring the world around her.

Relentlessly rubbing her eyes in turn blurring her vision. She was soon home; she couldn't be doing this.

Tears continuously burned her eyes, but she focused on the darkness given the sky was already black, with no light left. The sun has already disappeared.

It didn't matter.
Nothing mattered.

She felt hopeless—no plan, no idea of what to do next.

She could ask her dad for the money. It would be easy enough—he was always the one to rescue her. But that was the problem. She knew him too well. He would ask questions. "What's it for?" The question alone would tear her apart.

She knew that if she told him, he'd share it with her mother. The shame on his face, the disapproval, and the inevitable argument with her mother would crush her more than anything. She couldn't even imagine what punishment her mother would serve her.

'What do I do?' The thought circled in her mind again, but it went nowhere. She could pretend it wasn't happening. Pretend it wasn't her life she was trying to escape. Maybe she could continue living a little longer.

When she turned into her corner she sucked in a breath. She saw a silver Honda parked outside her home, and Milly felt a surge of dread.

Her mom was home.

She was late again.

Once she approached the door, she could already tell the house was quiet—eerily still. The smell of pasta seeped through Milly's nose, as aroma filled the house, but she only felt nauseous.

Her feet directed her towards the kitchen, where she knew her mother was. Her mother's deep brown skin seemed to burn even in the dim light, radiating fury without a single word. She stood, tall and imposing, as her piercing eyes locked onto Milly, the moment she walked in, hardening with irritation.

"Why are you just getting home?" her mother demanded, her voice sharp and unforgiving.

Milly knew better than to try and explain the truth. Her mother was too strong-willed for her to have patience for excuses, and the truth would only make things worse.

So, she lied. "I was doing tutoring. They offered some free ones after school," she said, her voice steady despite the way her hands trembled, trying to maintain calm.

But just as she hoped the conversation might end, she felt someone breathing behind her. Her younger brother stood at the kitchen entrance, a smirk on his lips as he crossed his arms.

He had their mother's brown eyes and dark hair but shared Milly's unruly curls, inherited from their dad. He was the perfect combination of their Mom and Dad making her grimace.

"Mom, there's no tutoring on the last day of school," Austin said, walking into the kitchen. A smile was directed at Milly behind their Mom, clearly enjoying the discomfort in the air he helped himself to a glass of water.

Austin had always been their mother's pride and joy. It might be because he was born a boy. Life always came easy for him: sports, popularity,school, and the world seemed to adore him. Compared to Milly who was always the problem child.

Milly glared at his head, but he ignored it, smiling at his small victory. She could feel the familiar bitterness bubbling inside her. Austin never defended her. Not once. He treated her just like others did; she was the embarrassment, the one who could never get anything right.

Her mother's gaze narrowed on Milly, signaling her growing fury, as she slowly took a breath. "Camilla, I hope you weren't out there with some boy. I'm going to ask you again: where were you?" Her voice had lowered, but the threat was clear as her fingers tightened around the tongs she held.

Milly's legs froze and her heart started racing trying to escape from the gaze.

Her mother's tapping of her feet began to ring in her ears, and she knew she had to speak.

Say something.
Anything.
But the truth.
She just can't.
She can't tell her.

A bitter taste fills her mouth. "I just went to the beach," she replied, trying to maintain her mother's gaze, praying she believed it.

Her mother's eyes stared at her searching for something as she didn't even blink. Then she released a sigh, her shoulders relaxing just a fraction. "Milly, don't go out when it's going to rain. The closest beach is a long walk. Go shower, and get out of those wet clothes before you catch something."

Her mom slowly walked over to Milly resting her hand on Milly's forehead. "You just recently got over the food poisoning, and I don't need you getting the flu now."

Milly nodded, a lump in her throat growing as she turned toward the bathroom. If only her mother knew how badly she'd already messed up. But no, that wasn't a problem anymore. She'd bury it for now, pretend it wasn't happening. It was easier that way.

Wasn't it?

Milly's eyes stayed closed as the warm water flowed on her.

"Hurry up." Austin's voice erupted pulling her from the silence.

She tried to dress quickly pulling up her joggers but the tightness grew on her stomach.

Everything barely fit anymore—her jeans were no longer comfortable, a reminder of the changes inside her. She quickly exited the bathroom.

Not a problem for today.

She pushed down the gnawing fear that kept creeping up on her.

Her father sat at the table now, smiling and laughing with her mom and brother. They all ate their meal. She avoided his gaze but glanced at her mother now and then.

"What's with the tension? I could almost slice a knife through it," her father teased, his voice casual but filled with curiosity.

"Milly's been lying again, as usual," Austin chimed, his voice dripping with amusement. "Mom caught her red-handed."

Milly's irritation throbbed in her, but she kept her mouth shut. Her father's gaze shifted to her.

She could feel his soft eye."What were you lying about?" he curiously asked, with no accusation in his tone.

Milly twirled her fork around the pasta only small bites.

"Having tutoring. She went to the beach knowing the weather would be bad," her mother explained, her voice dripping with disappointment as the thunder rumbled outside.

Her father chuckled and shook his head. "Come on now, that's nothing to be quiet about or argued for," he said, poking her mother playfully until her laughter erupted.

Then he smiled at Milly, "My little Milly. If you ever want to go to the beach, or anywhere just ask me. I will always make time to help you," he said, sliding an extra sausage onto her plate. Milly managed a small, grateful smile, her heart softening despite herself.

Milly's mom's eyes softened and she nudged her husband playfully.

"Don't spoil her," her mother muttered her tone still laced with frustration. A tinge of worry flipped in her eyes as she glanced at Milly. "You don't understand how worried I am every day for her. There are too many young girls out there making mistakes. I'm finally getting calls from teachers with positive things to say about Milly."

Milly remained quiet, nodding as she accepted the food, the weight of her secret pressing down on her with every bite.

She decided the best thing to do during winter break was to focus on her books. She studied from the textbook, even though she barely understood most of it. She tried hard, and she could see her mother softening, smiling faintly as she glanced at Milly. It might be the last time her mother showed any happiness for her.

Milly tried reaching out to Jeremy during the break, but he had blocked her on social media and her phone. She almost considered asking Austin to use his phone to contact him. She needed the funds, but the thought of Austin finding out about her situation kept her silent throughout the break.

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What do you think Milly next move should be?

Do you think Milly should ask her Dad for help?

Do you think Milly's mother will eventually find out? And if she does how do you think she will react?