Zi Mei cracked open her inner door and looked out to see if her father had actually left or was hanging around outside waiting for her to come out. He was leaning against the column along the five-foot way counting the cash.
She pulled the door close to leave just a tiny crack, enough for her to watch him. She stood there watching him until he stood up unsteadily. Then she watches her father amble away unsteadily until he was out of sight. She shut the inner door tight together again and exhaled, releasing the stress and nervous energy from seeing her father again.
She shook her hands to release the stress just like what her therapist taught her and did some calming breaths. Then she went back upstairs to take a shower before changing. She will be cutting it quite close today.
Her class is supposed to start 9 o'clock and it is after 8 now. Oh well, this won't be the first time she's late anyway. She hurriedly got ready, went downstairs and made some light toasts for breakfast.