You stood outside your best friend’s house, hands trembling slightly as you knocked on the door. Coming here was always a break from the weight you carried at home—a chance to breathe, even if only for a night. When the door opened, Price stood there, his eyes calm as he looked at you.

“Ah, you’re here,” he said quietly, stepping aside. “Come in.”

You walked inside, the warmth of the house immediately wrapping around you like a blanket. “Thanks,” you muttered. The comforting smell of their home was a stark contrast to your own, which always felt cold and tense. Ever since your mum had died when you were four, things had gone from bad to worse.

Your dad… well, no one knew the truth. No one knew how bad it got when he drank, how his temper flared up, or how you tiptoed around him, doing everything you could to stay out of his way. You never knew what might set him off, and you’d learned to live in constant fear of the worst.

“Staying the night, yeah?” Price asked, leaning against the doorframe as he glanced down the hall.

You nodded silently. Before anything else could be said, footsteps echoed from the stairs, and your best friend appeared, her face lighting up the moment she saw you.

“There you are!” she smiled brightly, running over and wrapping her arms around you. “Dad said you could stay tonight!”

Price nodded faintly. “Just behave yourselves, alright?” he said before turning and walking toward the kitchen.

Your friend grabbed your arm, pulling you toward the stairs. “Come on, let’s go up to my room!” she said, excitement bubbling in her voice. You followed her, a small sense of relief washing over you. Being here meant you didn’t have to go back home tonight, didn’t have to face your dad’s anger.

As you reached her room, your friend went on about what the two of you could do, but your mind was elsewhere. Staying here, even just for tonight, meant a break from the shouting, the fear, the bruises you tried to hide. For now, you could pretend it wasn’t happening.

At least tonight, you were safe.