53. Clarissa

My days in Jalen's house were the same. Wake up, eat, sleep, hang out with Jalen and Jaela, and watch movies on Netflix.

Honestly, it was beginning to tire me. But I didn't have a choice. I was glad that Genevieve was getting my fake ID and tickets ready, and my day of departure was drawing closer.

"Why do you want to leave?" Jaela wrote on a piece of paper and passed it to me when I was helping her braid her hair. I stopped and stared at her, unsure of how to answer.

"Well, for starters, your mum and I don't particularly get along," I wrote back, trying to keep it light.

But that's not enough reason for you to leave, she wrote.

I thought for a moment before responding. "I just want to be free. Go out. Do something and not just spend my whole day indoors. It's beginning to get on my last nerves."

Jaela squeezed my hand, understanding.

"I wish you could come with us," I said to her and she smiled, scribbling in her note.

"I can't, and even if I wanted to, my parents won't let me. Com