“I think so, my mum has been pestering me.” She turned to smile at me softly “I mean, it’s a lot of back and forth for a week but it beats staying here, right?” she snorted a laugh, “What about you?”
I inhaled deeply, trying to keep my voice steady even though I could feel the thickness of it as well as the crack in it.
“No,” I shook my head from side to side, “not going home.” I shrugged my shoulders up and quickly took a sip of my coffee to stop myself from talking. Regina stilled, standing still as her eyes pinned to me.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, turning to face her where she was standing behind me.
“You’re going to stay here?” her voice was quiet and if I was a guessing woman, it was filled with sadness.
I nodded, “Mmhmm.”
“Alone?”
“Yes, Regina. Alone.” I snapped. It wasn’t intentionally. It was just realisation of what a shitty life I had. You can have all the money and riches in the world, but what’s the point in having all of that when your family can’t even bear the thought of wanting to spend time with you. I sniffed, a familiar prick stinging the back of my eyes.
“Oh.”
I didn’t move, just dropped my head because I didn’t want her to see me cry. I hated crying, especially in front of people.
I felt Regina’s arms wrap around me, her embrace tight as she lunged herself towards me. I laughed before bursting into tears.
This was my reality.