Chapter 11:

"What did Finn say, Trish?" Kiara asked, her wide eyes reflecting a mix of curiosity and concern. She looked a little perplexed by the whole 'haunted house' situation that had unfolded from my bedroom window. She had been an innocent bystander to their foolery. I received another text from Rachel, saying I was a deranged person, and I knew it was time I blocked her as well. Goodbye, you skank.

"So, what did he say? Is it true?" Her little jumps were unexpectedly cheerful, which threw me off, considering that Finn was nothing to be happy about. He's a homewrecker, that's for sure. But she didn't seem to remember the situations of the past few months, so everything was going according to my plan.

"Yeah, all good, love, nothing to worry your tiny head about," I said, patting her little head adorned with a cute bow. She smiled, her innocence untouched by the chaos around us, and hobbled over to the car. We all finally settled in.

"Okay, you guys ready for a new ADVENTURE?" Dad asked, turning the keys to the engine with exaggerated enthusiasm. His attempt to lift our spirits felt out of place, considering we were moving to the middle of nowhere. He tried to rally us, but our moods were as dark as the cloudy sky.

Mom was physically present but mentally distant. I didn't bother asking if she was okay; I had stopped caring a while ago. It felt like we were past the point of sharing anything meaningful. I felt like she would ask me to pay rent soon enough because she might've only tolerated me. After all, I was there and had nowhere to leave.

"Honey, why don't we just go? It's getting a little late," Mom chimed in, applying blush to her pale face. Her complexion was so drained as if the blood had vanished from her cheeks. Was she scared? Maybe Finn's mom had called to share something unsettling about the house, or maybe she was finally sobering up after another round of drinks. Dad looked at her without any expression and looked away. 

Dad sighed and drove away, our house shrinking in the rearview mirror as we moved further and further away. "Bye-bye, house," Kiara waved, her voice filled with a bittersweet innocence. As we finally left our past behind, a sense of unease settled over us.

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"Honey, there has been a transaction of 35 bucks from my credit card. Did you purchase something?" Mom asked, rummaging through her purse with a frantic energy. She twisted and turned, finally fixing her gaze on me with suspicion.

"Trish?" she demanded, her brows arched high, looking very accusatory. 

"So, you've already assumed I stole your money?" I scoffed.

Yes, I did take the money, but honestly, she shouldn't have left it lying around, tempting me. It was for a good reason, anyway.

"Well, did you?" she pressed, her voice tinged with irritation.

I sighed. no point in lying, she could see from which device and place the money had been taken from. Curse you, technology. "Yeah, I did," I admitted. Her face flushed a deep red, a shade she could never achieve with her entire blush palette.

"Trish! How could you use my money without asking me first? How could you be so irresponsible? What did you even buy?" she demanded, her tone sharp and accusatory