BAD INFLUENCE

Hailey rushed home immediately, her breath coming in sharp gasps. Her grip tightened around the plastic bag in her hand, the carton of milk and eggs shifting with each hurried step.

She was late. Terribly late.

Cecilia was going to lose it.

She panicked at the thought of what awaited her. She had left something on the fire, and Cecilia had zero patience. If dinner was ruined, if she had kept her waiting-God help her.

The moment she reached the house, she barely took a second to catch her breath before pushing the door open.

And then, she froze.

Cecilia was in the living room, pressed against the couch, her body entangled with someone else's. A guy.

Hailey stared in disgust as she recognized him. He was young, maybe her age, maybe even younger. His hands roamed over Cecilia's waist as she kissed him deeply, not a single ounce of shame in her actions.

It wasn't the first time she had seen this, but it never stopped making her sick. Cecilia slept around and she never cared who saw it.

Hailey had hoped, prayed, that she wouldn't walk in on another one of her...umm activities tonight.

No such luck.

Cecilia must have sensed her presence because she suddenly broke the kiss, turning her head with an irritated glare.

"Look who finally decided to come home" she sneered, wiping her smudged lipstick with the back of her hand.

Hailey swallowed hard, gripping the bag tighter.

"I-I got the milk and eggs" she muttered, avoiding the way the guy was watching her lustfully.

Cecilia scoffed, standing up.

"And you think that makes up for you being this late?!"

"I...I'm sorry, I got-"

"Excuses! I gave you one simple task, and you can't even do that right?"

Cecilia sighed dramatically, rolling her eyes before turning to the boy. She placed a hand on his chest, her nails grazing over his skin.

"Wait here, babe. I need to deal with this little nuisance first"

The boy just chuckled, not bothering to hide the way his gaze lingered on Hailey before he plopped down on the couch, making himself comfortable.

Hailey's stomach churned. She gritted her teeth, forcing herself to remain still as Cecilia stalked toward her.

She knew what was coming.

And no matter how many times it happened...It never hurt any less.

Cecilia landed a stinging slap across her cheek.

The impact sent her staggering back, the bag of groceries slipping from her grasp and hitting the floor with a dull thud.

"You useless little brat!"

Hailey pressed a hand to her burning cheek, blinking rapidly to stop the tears from forming. She wouldn't cry. Not in front of her.

Never.

"I'm sorry. I...I got held up-"

"Excuses! The stew is ruined because of you! Even the plantains are burnt"

The boy sitting on the couch didn't seem the least bit bothered by the scene in front of him. If anything, he looked amused.

Cecilia sighed dramatically, running a hand through her hair.

"Honestly, you're good for nothing. You can't even do a simple errand right"

"Relax, babe" the guy murmured, wrapping an arm around Cecilia's waist and pulling her close.

"She's just a kid" he added while gazing at Hailey.

Cecilia scoffed, turning in his arms and pressing her lips to his in a slow, shameless kiss, as if Hailey wasn't even standing there.

When she finally pulled away, she glanced back at Hailey, her lips curling in disgust.

"Pick that up and get out of my sight. And if dinner isn't ready in thirty minutes, don't bother eating"

Hailey nodded quickly, her head still throbbing from the slap. She bent down, gathering the fallen groceries with shaking hands. As she did, she felt the guy's eyes on her, lingering, watching and it's making her uncomfortable.

When she finally straightened up, he smirked at her.

Hailey swallowed hard and rushed toward the kitchen without another word.

This was her life. And there was no escaping it. Atleast for now.

•••

NEXT MORNING*

Hailey woke up very early the next day, her cheek still ached from last night's slap, but she ignored it.

Silently, she went about her morning routine. sweeping the living room, scrubbing the kitchen counter, and making breakfast. Cecilia wouldn't be awake yet, probably tangled in sheets with last night's boy.

"Good" Hailey muttered.

That meant she could leave without another confrontation.

By the time she was done, the sun had fully risen. Hailey grabbed her worn-out backpack, slinging it over her shoulder as she stepped out of the house.

She walked briskly down the street. The bus station wasn't far, just a few blocks away, and soon, she spotted the old, rattling bus pulling up to the curb.

Climbing in, she made her way toward the back, settling by the window. The seat felt cold against her skin as she hugged her bag to her chest. This was her favorite spot, away from the noise, with a clear view of the city waking up.

She exhaled, resting her head against the window, letting herself relax for the first time that morning.

Phew.

A guy suddenly slid into the seat next to her.

Hailey stiffened slightly, instinctively shifting closer to the window. She didn't turn to look at him, but she could feel his presence and his eyes on her.

"You look familiar, do you attend Hillsworth College?" He asked and that made Hailey to finally look his way.

The guy beside her had a calm, easygoing aura. He was clean-cut and well-dressed.

"Yes" she answered quietly.

"Thought so. We attended the same class yesterday"

"You're a freshman, right?" he continued and Hailey nodded

"Same here. I'm Asher and you are?" he introduced himself, extending a hand.

She hesitated, glancing at his outstretched hand before shaking it lightly.

"Hailey"

"Nice to officially meet you, Hailey" he said warmly and she smiled.

He looks cool.

When the bus finally pulled to a stop near Hillsworth College, Hailey stood up, gripping the straps of her worn-out backpack. Asher stepped aside, allowing her to pass first before following her out.