"You smoke?"

I asked him in disbelief. Gosh I hate it when people do and I hoped he'd stop already.

"So you decided to come?"

He asked not considering my question. Well it's not like I didn't know the answer. I just hoped he'd say it's his first time smoking.

"Jeah. We ain't done with the poems you know."

I answered him as smoke streamed out from his mouth and nose. I wanted to tell him to stop but I was in no position to.

"What do you really want from me Ali?"

He asked still not looking at me. He was sitting on a chair next to the window with his feet on the small table in front of him. What does he think I want?

"I told you earlier that we ain't done with the poems."

I said sitting on the bed and taking my poetry book.

"What will you gain from helping me? Why are you tutoring me? Why did you come to my house? Why are you so eager to help me out? What do you really want from me Ali?"

He asked me standing up all so frustrated. What was wrong with him?

"Really? You're asking me that?"

I asked hoping he was just kidding around.

"Yes and I want a straight answer. I'm sure you are not just helping me out because Mrs Finn asked you to. So what do you want?"

He said coldly and I realised he was deadly serious.

"You know what? I'm leaving because there's no reason for me to be here. I'm just tutoring you because I just thought you needed to improve your grades."

I said calmly.

"Why would you want to help me improve my grades? You're still not answering me dammit."

He shouted and I wondered why he was acting like this.

"And I'm telling you there's no fucking hidden answer. I was ordered to tutor you and I only agreed to because I know if there's no change in your grades, I'll end up attending school during summer break and I clearly don't want that. But to clear your doubts, I won't be your tutor from now on because I'm fed up tryna be the good girl just to help an asshole like you."

I said angrily grabbing my books and slamming the door as soon as I walked out. How dare he? Does he really think I'm after something? Gosh, what would I even want from a jerk like him?

"Alice!"

Aunt Grace looked at me questioningly. She was coming upstairs with a tray of food.

"Are you leaving already?"

She asked surprised.

"Well yes aunt. Something came up and I really have to go."

I lied and her face grew sad.

"But I made something for you two to eat. Are you done with your poetry work?"

She replied sadly and I felt bad.

"I think Austin is done with his. I just didn't know. And about the food, I'll come eat some other time. I really have to go."

She still gave me a questioning and curious look but she didn't insist on it.

"I'll let you go this time just because I'm sure you had a fight with Austin. Take care."

She said with an assuring look and I smiled a little. How did she even know that?

"Thank you."

I said to her for understanding and left the house. I still felt bad for telling aunt that I'll eat her meal some other time because I doubt that'll ever happen. The questions he was asking me were a clear indication that he doesn't want me near him or his house. And I'll just have to respect that. What ever reason he has for doubting me, I don't care.

                         ***

"He did what?"

Carol asked not believing me.

"You heard."

I replied laying on the bed.

"Why did he even ask you that?"

Gail asked. I had called them over at my house. We were talking about random things until Gail asked me how my tutoring lessons are going and that's how I ended up telling them about going over to Austin's house.

"Who knows but whatever reason he has, I don't wanna know."

I said staring up at the ceilings.

"Mhhmhh... It doesn't seem that way."

Carol said and I wondered why she said that.

"What's that?"

I asked.

"You look somehow sad so I think you clearly want to know about Austin's change of attitude."

Gail answered and I sat upright to look at her. I looked at Carol who just nodded.

"Yes Alice. You surely feel bad about it. Reason why you called us over. So just tell us whether you like him or not."

Gail said. Now I know what all this is about. They were practically trying to find out whether I like Austin or not.

"Last thing on my mind."

I said dismissively and they gave me suspicious looks.

"Don't give me those looks now. Really I'm not that stupid to like an arrogant bad ass like him."

I said and they looked like they believed me. They should.

"Fine. Can we go to the park now?"

Carol said.

''The last time we asked you, you said you'd be preparing some different recipes for your mom but today we're surely not taking no for an answer.''

Gail said and Carol nodded in agreement.

"Okay, we're going."

I said and they smiled.

I barely go out with them anymore because my mom always gives me something to do or she tells me that if I leave, I shouldn't come back to her house. Leaving me no other choice but to stand my best friends up. We were at the door, ready to leave my room when mom walked in.

"We're going to the park aunt. We promise we won't be long."

Carol said with a smile and she didn't even attempt to smile back. Typical mom.

"Alright, she'll find you two downstairs then. I need to speak to Alice for a moment."

Mom replied calmly and they nodded happily before leaving the room. And even before she uttered a word, I already knew what she was going to say.

"What is it mom?"

I asked atleast hoping she'd allow me to go out with them.

"You're not leaving this house Alice."

She said and I eyed her sceptically.

"And why is that?"

I manage to say.

"Because you're still my daughter and I don't want you pregnant this soon. And if you go out then-"

"Stop it mom. Why do you keep saying such things to me?"

I asked utterly frustrated.

"Just to protect you from teenage pregnancies and if you leave this house you'll just have to leave forever because I can't afford to take care of you and your child."

She said and left to her room. I didn't even make an attempt to cry whatsoever. I was  too used to her words although they still hurt me as much as they did earlier. I walked downstairs as Carol and Gail stared at me expectantly.

"I'm sorry I can't come. But you two go ahead, I'll join you next time I promise."

I don't even believe the 'next time' words as I say them.

"You see Carol, I told you she'd give into her mom's demands. She always does. Why do you keep doing whatever she tells you to do even when it's not fair?"

Gail responds.

"She's my mom."

I say softly.

"She doesn't act like it and you still give into her stupid demands. For how long are you going to act like her slave Alice?"

Carol added and with one last glance at me, they left. This can't be happening now.

(I apologise for not updating as often as I should but I'm almost always at school so please bare with me. I'm currently on holiday and I promise to update as many chapters as I can. Your votes and comments will highly be appreciated. I lurve you guys)