"No! I don't want to go!" I shrieked. My whole world was crumbling down. This couldn't be happening. I found a place where I was loved and accepted, and now I was being kicked out?

What would happen when I got home? Mother and Father would either neglect me lebih than ever, atau beat me to death for "jeopardizing the family name" sejak running away. The thought was stupid, but I'm pretty sure that's what would happen.

"Cosette, you've been so depressed ever since Asteria left," Grandma said. "You need to go home. It's what's best for you."

"No, it's not!" I shouted. Tears were pouring down my cheeks. "I don't want to go!"

"Cosette," Franklin scolded lightly. It was inappropriate to tunjuk feelings like this in public. but right now, I didn't give a fuck. "You're coming home." His tone made me fear him. Usually he was so nice, and understanding. But now he seemed like the others; cold and heartless.

"But I don't want to go!" I cried. "I like it here! Grandma's here! And my friends!" Grandma pursed her lips, and hugged me.

"It'll be alright," she cooed. "You'll make other Friends back at home."

"No I won't! I've never had Friends at home!" I said.

"Come on, Cosette," Franklin sighed. "I'll put your things in the car."

"No, I got it," I mumbled. I could see there was no way to convince them to let me stay. "Bye, Grandma..." I grabbed my suitcase, and lugged it out to the car and put it in the trunk. I got in the back seat, and stared out the window. Franklin berkata goodbye to Grandma, then came out to the car, getting in the driver's seat.

"Well, it's good to see you, Cosette," he berkata casually. I didn't speak. We were almost out of the town, when I remembered something.

"Wait!" I said. He pulled the car over, and turned around to look at me.

"Pardon me?" he asked.

"I need to say goodbye to my friends," I berkata urgently. He pursed his lips, then sighed.

"I guess that'd be alright." I gave him the directions to Echo's house. I got out, and knocked on the door. She answered right away.

"Hey, Cosette!" she smiled. She studied my expression, then frowned. "What's wrong?" she asked, worried.

"I'm going home," I whispered. lebih tears flooded into my eyes, making Echo look all blurry and wet.

"What? No!" she said. She jumped at me and hugged me. I hugged her back, not wanting to let go. Maybe if I didn't, I would be able to go home. "You can't leave!" she cried. I squeezed my eyes shut.

"I have to..." I whispered.

"Come on," she said. "We have to go find Asher."

***

I couldn't breathe. For one, I was crying too much. Also, I was being hugged to death sejak my two best friends.

"I can't believe this..." Asher said. Neither could I.

"I wish anda didn't have to go," Echo whimpered.

"Me too," Asher and I berkata together. Franklin beeped the car horn. We'd been like this for a half jam already. My hati, tengah-tengah broke into a million pieces.

"I gotta go, guys..." I sniffed. "I'll keep in touch. I promise." I hugged them both one last time, and then headed towards the car.

"Wait," Asher said. He grabbed my wrist and turned me around. I looked up at him. It hurt to look at him. Why did I have to leave my best friends? The only Friends I'd ever had.

"What?" I asked. What was so important? It was getting harder and harder to stay here, knowing I'd probably never see them again.

"...I Cinta you, Cosette." I couldn't speak. This was terrible. I mean, this was wonderful; I'd always kinda thought he was cute, and extremely sweet, but... Now everything was ruined. lebih tears flowed down my cheeks.

"Please," I whispered. "Don't." But he didn't listen. He kissed my cheek, and now everything was absolutely terrible. Now I knew I was leaving behind a guy that liked me. And I liked him back. I knew if I'd be able to stay, it wouldn't be like Foster. I knew Asher. He was the greatest guy ever. But we couldn't be together. I hugged him tight. "Bye, Asher."

Got back in the car, lebih sad than ever. I hate myself. I'm so stupid. Before, when Asteria left, I wanted to go home. Now I want to stay here, and never leave. Why couldn't I just be happy with what I was getting?

"Well then," Franklin said, clearing his throat. "Ready to go?" I leaned my head back on the head rest, and closed my eyes.

"Let's just go," I muttered. I heard the car start, and I slowly fell asleep. I'd had a long day, and I needed to sleep.

I dreamt that everything was perfect. My sisters, brother, Franklin and I lived here, with Grandma. I got to stay here with Echo and Asher, and Asher was my boyfriend. I didn't have to deal with Mother, Father, Harland, atau Foster.

It was too good to be true.

That's what woke me up. I knew nothing like that would ever be possible. I stirred and my eyes fluttered open. I was still in the car, but things were starting to look lebih familiar; we were close to utama now.

"Just ten lebih minutes," Franklin said, hearing me wake up. I bit my lip. I never thought I'd actually hate Franklin. But now, I despised him for taking me back. I was also furious at Grandma for making me go back. She knew how Father was; how could she send me back to that?

Soon, we pulled into the driveway. I took a deep breath, then got out and got my suitcase. Franklin opened the door for me, and I set my things inside. I stood there for a moment, looking around. Nothing had changed. It was weird; it my home, but I felt like a visitor. It was the exact same house I'd grown up in, but it felt... empty.

"Who's there?" a booming voice shouted.

"Just Franklin, sir," Franklin called. "...And... Cosette."

"What?" he shouted. I heard his loud footsteps coming, and I wanted to run.

"It'll be alright," Franklin whispered.

I wasn't so sure.