Chapter two.

"Lisa!! Come out. I brought a drink to celebrate." She heard Karen's excited voice.

"Celebrate what?"

"You finally gathered enough money to pay little Felix's school fees. You have been so worried ever since last year. We definitely got to celebrate."

'celebrate?' Lisa's stomach churns.

She glanced at Felix, forcing a smile. "Okay. Be right down."

Her brother looked up at her, and she lowered her gaze, saying, "I will be right back. I am going to meet Karen outside."

"Okay. Be careful."

"Don't wait for me; go to bed when you are done."

"Hmmm." Felix hummed. He stared at the door after she left, his brows slightly wrinkled.

Lisa's smile, which she had been struggling to hold up, fell as she climbed down the stairs.

They lived on the rooftop of the building. It has two rooms: a small living room, a small kitchen, and one bathroom. Shared by the small family.

Now that her father was gone, Lisa didn't know if she should be happy or sad.

"Lisa!!" Karen waves at her from the bottom of the stairs, a polythene bag in both hands.

Her best friend was a heavy drinker. And also a lover of alcohol.

The two settled on the last step, and Karen brought out all the cans and set them beside them, grinning fully.

She glanced at Lisa's face and paused her action. "What's wrong? Weren't you so happy earlier?"

Lisa heaved a breath, staring at the moonless skies. Her lashes trembled as she lowered her eyes to her clasped hands. "He left."

"Who?" Karen was puzzled.

"My father."

Karen paused, then her eyes shot wide. "He really left? Like, isn't this for the better? Why do you look so sad? You should be happy. All he has been doing is creating problems on top of problems for you. I know you are  soft-hearted but..."

"He took all the money."

"Felix's school fees?" Karen was shocked. "That bastard."

Her best friend's eyes turned red in the next second

.

"It's all the money I saved; I don't know what to do. I really thought I hid it well. Felix's exam is in less than four months. Now, what am I supposed to  do?" Lisa's voice broke, and so did all of her resistance.

"Don't cry—don't cry." Karen was thrown into a panic. Never had she seen Lisa cry like this. They had been friends for years, but Lisa had always been that strong person who was ready to hold up the skies if they ever fell.

"Karen!!" Lisa wailed softly.

"I am here." Karen couldn't resist pulling her in for a hug. "I am here."

"Karen!! What do I do now? I don't know. What do I do?" She yelled in frustration, pulling on her hair. "Ahhh, what to do, Karen? What do I do?"

"Lisa stop. Please."

"Karen I am tired. What did I do that was so wrong? Why does he keep doing this to me? Why?!!"

'i am his daughter for goodness sake!!"

"You didn't do anything. It's not your fault, so let go of your hair. Stop hurting yourself."

"Karen—!!!!" Lisa bellowed, her voice trembling.

She was filled with so much emotion.

Anger, sadness, frustration, and regret.

'It is gone. All of the money. What do I do about Felix's schooling?' She clenched her fist, her finger digging deep enough to draw blood.

It was as if there was a fire in her chest, raging and wishing to burn everything to ashes, and when the fire died out, Lisa was left hallowed. Inside out.

She lied on Karen's lap, staring blankly. Her limbs felt like they weighed a ton, and her head ached badly. Maybe because she cried too much.

"I am sorry." Her voice croaked out of her dry throat.

"Don't. You will make me feel like a stranger."

"Then what should I say? Thank you?" Lisa tried to lighten up the atmosphere, and she was back to smiling again.

"Don't smile too." Karen frown. Stating. "You can be sad for a little more."

"Can I?" Lisa asked rhetorically. "Whether I like it or not, what has happened has already happened. There is no need to fuss about the past when the future holds so many worries."

"About Felix's school fees. I will lend it to you, and you can pay it back whenever you have it." Karen said.

"No." Lisa frowned, completely against it.

"I am not doing this for you, but for Felix. He is also like a little brother to me, so just take it."

"Still, it's a lot of money." Lisa was reluctant and didn't feel comfortable about it.

Karen rolled her eyes, knowing how stubborn the black-haired lady could be. "It's not like I need it now. Like I said, you can pay me back later when you have it. I will send it to you so Felix can pay as soon as possible."

"But—"

"No buts." Karen shut her down. "Our little Felix is very bright, and I can't stand to watch him miss this exam. So don't you even think about refuting?"

Lisa pursed her lips, then let out a sigh. "Thank you."

"Didn't I say not to treat me like a stranger?" She snorted, while her hand gently patted Lisa's head. "Don't overstress yourself; take it easy. Remember that you are all that Felix has now, okay?"

"Hmm...." Lisa nodded. Then asked. "About that waitress job."

"The one at the bar?" Karen raised a brow. "Didn't you say you didn't like it?"

"Well. There has been a change of plan." Let's have fun together."