Prologue

My name's Ben, a senior high-school student at St Raphael Highschool. I was currently relaxing alongside Sophie, happily sipping her strawberry milkshake at a local cafe. She was my childhood friend, alongside her older sister, Jane. We finished school and went to relax here, as I was always looking for reasons to avoid returning home early. It was our usual hangout spot, the place making some really fine pastries and other sweets.

"I love their milkshakes so much!" Sophie giggled gleefully, brushing one of her low twintails away.

I smiled as I took a sip of my own caramel-flavored one. "They're good, yeah!"

She let out a small sigh as she wiped her mouth. "Ah, Mr. Willow is nice, but his classes really are tedious."

Mr. Willow was our Physics teacher. He was somewhat old-school with his methods of teaching, but was sympathetic enough. And Physics was the thing I was the best at, so he was fairly nice to me.

"Need help studying?" I offered, chuckling.

She smiled. "Gladly."

“At this point, I'm starting to wonder if you're failing classes on purpose just so I can teach you?” I then snickered, teasing her.

Sophie blushed, almost dropping her cup. "O-of course not! I-it's not my fault if physics is so complicated! I don't think I'm made for science stuff."

She's cute when she's embarrassed… I thought, amused by her reaction. "Heh, I know. I don't think I am either. Physics is the exception. I always preferred literature and philosophy over science."

"A-anyway, do you have anything else you want to do?" Sophie asked, finishing her milkshake.

I noticed the clock on the wall and sighed. "I think I should walk you home now. It's getting late."

"Alright…" Sophie didn't like seeing me like this, but there wasn't a lot she could do.

I smiled weakly. "It'll be fine. It's not like she's hitting me. She's just being a lazy drunkard."

"I guess…" was all Sophie said, visibly not reassured much.

We left the shop and walked back to her house, chatting about school and games. Once we arrived, I waved at her.

"Have a good evening, Sophie."

She gestured at the door. "You don't want to stay for a bit?"

I shook my head. "Nah, I have some homework to do, so I need to get back home."

She waved back at me, unlocking the door. “Alright. See you tomorrow then."

"See you. Tell Jane I said hi."

"I will."

Sophie went inside, and I resumed my walk towards my own house, my steps heavy and slow. There was a reason why I was always dreading coming back there...

When I opened the door, I immediately held my breath, the stench of **** being almost unbearable.

How can she stand living like this...?

The woman on the couch was Nadia, my aunt. My mother's younger sister, to be more precise. Since both of my parents passed away, I've been living with her. But she's turned into an alcoholic. The only thing she's been doing after finishing work is getting wasted.

"Yoooou're... late…" She commented, slurring her words.

Of course she's already drunk…

If her slurring wasn't enough of a giveaway, next to her and laying on the floor were a few empty cans of beer, making me curse internally.

"I am, yes. I'm going to my room now." I spoke in a cold tone.

"And... diiineeerrr?”

"Later." I simply said.

I left her to her booze and went to my room. Nadia wasn't harmful, but I lost the patience to deal with her a long time ago. As soon as I entered my bedroom, I closed the door and sighed.

"Only a few more months before I can leave…" I muttered.

I've been waiting patiently for high school to end in order for me to live on my own. I even talked with Sophie a few times about renting a flat together for when we'll be in college, something she and her family were very enthusiastic about. The school year was nearly done, I just had to endure a little while longer.

"Let's get done with my homework, for now…" I said, walking to my desk and dropping my bag.

As I opened my book, I accidently knocked over the picture I kept on my desk. "Fuck."

I quickly put it back on the desk. It was a photo of me and my mother, alongside Sophie and Jane. It was the week I had started highschool alongside Sophie. My mother was so excited and we all went to the amusement park during the weekend, as she managed to get a day off. She worked as a nurse, and was rarely able to enjoy breaks. Nadia was the one who took the picture.

It was a fun day… I looked at the ceiling, thinking of her. I wish we could have fun days like this again, Mom...

I closed my hands together and prayed for a minute before grabbing something from my bag, my eyes briefly landing on the dusty guitar case leaning against the wall. I haven't touched it since my mother's passing.

I used to play it so much before… The only reason I kept it was because it belonged to my father. I'm sorry, Mom, Dad, but I don't have the motivation to play it anymore...

I shook my head and grabbed my pen, trying to focus on my homework. I was finally done an hour later, and felt completely exhausted. Took longer than expected...

I closed my book and stood up, stretching as I did so. I then went to sit on my bed and yawned. A nap would do me good.