Julie slipped out of her room in a black hoodie, cargo trousers and black sneakers.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1dhdh9AKN
She and Tom walked to his apartment in an awkward silence. They didn't interact with eachother at all, except for the occasional glance across to the other person to check they were still there.
After an eternity of walking, Tom took a deep breath.
They arrived at a block of apartments and Tom said, "Okay. Here we are."
He stepped inside, signalling for Julie to follow.
He went inside the lift and for a few seconds searched for the right button.
Then he found it and pressed it.
Julie looked around, astounded by the mirrors and the lights.
She almost didn't realise the lift had been moving until the unmistakable tiny bell rang in her ears. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscZsHtpYqd
Tom began to fumble about his pockets and as they stepped out Julie watched curiously as he produced a keychain.
She followed him down the corridor to Room 257. Slipping the key into the lock, he smiled at Julie. "Welcome," he said, opening the door, "To my apartment."
It was quite small; the walls were all cream and the floor tiles were grey. Situated in the far corner was a red sofa and a TV and to the left was a kitchen.
Julie giggled. "You actually live here? All by yourself?"
Tom sighed. "Uh... Actually, not technically all by myself..."
He looked around.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9QRb7NSg1
"My dad lives here as well. But he's a businessman... And he's hardly ever home."
"And your mom? Do you have a mom?"
"Yeah... But..."
"But...?"
"You see... Five years ago my parents split up. My mom took the house and my dad and had to live in this apartment, where my mom used to live before she married my dad."
Julie looked at him. He looked... Sad.
"How do you pay everything? The rent, bills...?"
"My dad might stay away from home, but he still gets the bills. He's pretty rich, so he can afford it."
"Really? The food as well?"
"No. Not food. He sends me money per week to cover my own things, like food and clothes..."
"How much?"
"£5."
"£5?!"
Julie stared at him in horror.
"Per week?!"
"Yup. He says that I need to learn to grow up and be a man. But I still get money at Christmas and on my birthday. Like, £50 to £100 usually. And a couple of presents."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwczTWqxC7
"I suppose he could afford that, being a successful businessman and all..."
"Hmm. He had really different concepts to my mom..."
He took her to a table and sat down.
"Biscuits?"
"Please."
As he went over to the cuboards to get some biscuits, Julie saw that face again. Like... Self-pity. Sadness.
"My dad is pretty mean."
"Why did you stay with him?"
Tom stopped.
"..."
He looked down, as if he didn't want to speak about it.
"I'm sorry..." Julie began.
"No, it's okay. Well... Um... My dad. Back when we were a family, he used to get stressed around mom. He used to drink. A lot. And when they split up, he said that she could have the house, but he wanted his son. My mom said that he would be too hard on me, but then he... He..."
Julie could see Tom clenching his fists.
"He started to threaten my mom. He abused her, too. He would have started hurting her too, if I hadn't stepped in. And I said... I said that I would go with him, if he left her alone."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4QWSmeYSs
Julie could hear Tom's voice choked up with tears.
"Tom..."
She could hear the smile in his voice.
"It's alright..."
"Here."
Julie got up and reached into the cuboard and after a bit of searching she scavenged a pack of Jammy Dogers.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0kVTaPafc
Tom smiled gratefully.
"I suppose that, when you love someone very much, you would do anything to save them. Including things that would also affect you..." He whispered.
"Yes."
Julie was reminded of her family. Of her past.
"I suppose my parents did that too..."
"What happened to your parents?"
Julie scowled at the memory. It was the only thing she could do without bursting into tears.
"3 years ago, my parents died in a fire at their shop. Alex and I were pushed out of the wreckage before we were hurt... But perhaps if we'd remained in there, we would have been spared the nightmare of watching them die."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzWdsXolEq
She trailed off and realised that her face was wet with tears.
Tom pulled a tissue and handed to her.
"Looks like we are two of a kind," he whispered gently.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrb2Q0t081
He looked around again.
"I have an idea. Just follow me," he said suddenly.
He pulled out the keys again and pulled jer over to the door.
He took her outside into the lift and this time pressed the button at the top of the panel.
Julie clutched the tissue.
The doors opened.
Julie surveyed the surroundings and realised.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1chASxPK8
They were up high - way up high. On the roof of the apartments.
"Come on," Tom called out. "Take a look at this view."
Julie stepped out and gasped.
In front of her was nothing but the sky. It was beginning to become lighter but was still dark enough to display a myriad of stars.
"So... Beautiful..."
"Yeah." Tom grinned. "Better now?" 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUHQPGImiY
"So much better."
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