In the morning I rushed downstairs. As I thought, Dante was already up and eating. "Dante!" He looked up and gave me a disgusted look as if he had just drank sour milk. "What? Why are you so cheery? It's Monday morning." "I have a question." "What is your question?" "Can I go to school? Please? It's been nearly two weeks and I really want to see my friends and actually attend class." "School?" "Yes. Can I go please?" "Not yet." I frowned. Not yet. Then when? When would he let me go to school? After six months? Yeah right, if he waited that long I'd have to redo my grade eleven year. "Then when?" I asked. "I don't know," was his reply. "Come on! That's being unreasonable! It's just school," I said angrily. "I just want to be able to see my friends and do something instead of spend my life in this place or out shopping." "If you're that needy for friends, invite them over. I have no problem if you invite anyone over, as long as I'm not home," he said and he looked up at me. "But you're always home," I muttered under my breath. "What?" "I didn't say anything. I will call them and see if they can come over after they are finished school. There's only two of them." "Two friends? You're not popular in school, are you?" "Shut up. I don't care. I'm fine with having two friends. I'm not the kind that needs billions of friends to make myself feel better," I exploded. "You have three hundred friends or so, right? How many of them could you call up and ask over? Hm?" "It was just a statement. Don't get so offended. And probably most of them. I am Dante Anderson after all." "Ha! I seriously doubt that! Dante Anderson my ass! Anyways. I'll be in my room if you need me," I said and I stormed of upstairs. I slammed the door behind me as I entered my room. What an arrogant prick! I sat down on my bed and fell backwards. As much as I wanted to go to school, I knew there was nothing I could do. Dante was the one who had my mother in the hospital, he was the one paying all the bills for the medical treatment. If that were to stop... "Asshole," I mumbled, covering my face with my hands as I wept silently. Later in the day I called Jessica. "Jessica?" "Helena?! Where have you been? The teachers are all wondering where you are!" "I'm at Dante's." "Still?" "Yeah... I moved in awhile ago, haven't you been watching the news?" I asked. "Not really. Maybe I should start because I'm a little pissed at the moment. You didn't call me for a week, do you realize how worried I've been? You took off last week and haven't contacted me since!" "Sorry... I know I should have called." "Damn it Helena." "Well... I was wondering..." I paused. "What?" "Well I was wondering if you wanted to come over? To be honest I've been wanting to go to school and I've been wanting to see you for the last week or so. Please? I think I'm going to go crazy. And if you come, I will tell you everything, I promise." "Dante's house? Wouldn't he be mad?" "Not really. He said I could have you over. But as long as you're not seen. Out of sight, out of mind," I laughed. "Well, I'll se what I can do. But I might not be able to. I'll call you after school is out." "Great! And um... could you possibly ask Daniel if he wants to come? I would be forever thankful to you! And he's probably working at the daycare today, right? So it should be no problem to ask." "Helena..." "Yeah?" "Daniel was fired. As you know, the school board found out about you two, and they made the decision to let him go. I don't know where he is." "What?!" Daniel was... fired?