I can’t be here; I don’t want to be here, I thought… Maybe Nadia can explain… I should call her.

“I don’t want to believe what I saw.” I cleared my throat. “Please tell me it’s a lie?”

“Listen Caro, we can talk about this when I get home. You should be glad your app is out there,” Nadia said with no remorse.

“What!? You mean your app now… I thought you were different?” I snapped.

“Listen!”

“No! I hate myself for thinking you would be different… I’m done. You won’t find me here.” I hung up the call.

I was shattered, my stomach hurt and I found myself learning how to breathe again. I decided to throw all my stuff in my suitcase. Next to my bed, on the lampstand, was a little photo frame. Little me sitting on my dad’s lap with mom next to him. Instead of finding comfort in this image, I got upset.

“Mama… why did you leave me alone?” I threw it on the floor, breaking the glass holding the picture in the frame.

“Why did you both have to die… ? Maybe I shouldn’t have asked to get my room painted!” I sat on the tiles, heavily exhaling and inhaling. “Would things be different?”

I went to Kate’s apartment. “Friend, you can stay here for a while since John is away for the weekend.”

She came closer and sat next to me. “But what next?”

“I don’t know… ” I sobbed.

“I am so sorry, Caro.”

“It’s just that… do I deserve this?”

“Okay, let’s just chill… tomorrow is another day.” She hugged me.

The afternoon went by quickly. Kate made me hot chocolate with marshmallows and put on comedy movies. We spent the night binge watching, ‘The Original’ on Netflix. I woke up extremely tired with swollen red eyes. It was already 10 am and Kate would be leaving for campus soon. I would rather spend the day at the café than be home alone to entertain my thoughts.

Taking a warm shower felt good. I put on my favourite blue jeans and threw my hair in a messy bun.

“Caro, breakfast is ready… you’ve been there for ages. C’mon!” I grabbed my bag and joined her in the kitchen.

She looked at me and smiled. “So, tell me. What is your plan with Nadia?”

“I don’t want to see her!” I snapped.

“You have a golden heart, Caro.” She reached for my hand. “But you need to realize that people will hurt you. That we might all make decisions you don’t agree with or do things that hurt you. And it doesn’t make us bad people.”

She held my hand. “I know people have hurt you but sometimes, giving someone a chance to explain makes a difference. You have built this huge wall for yourself and easily get rid of people like you have never even met them.” She stared at me. “You’ll end up pushing yourself away from yourself.”

Kate may have been right with her little ‘pep’ talk that morning but I didn’t care. I would rather get rid of people than deal with them. I headed out to the cafe.

“Eh, CC!” Benj took me out of my thoughts as I approached the counter. “Showing up after ignoring my calls… you think you’re a queen?” He frowned.

“Ben. I’m sorry… there has been a lot going on.” I looked at him. “Can I have a cappuccino?”

“Of course! Anything for you.” He smiled and walked away.

The café looked a bit empty today but a table next to mine was occupied by a man, probably in his mid-forties. His face was glued to his laptop. He seemed busy and so into whatever he was doing.

“There you go. I added a special ingredient… ” Ben laughed. “Oh, and that’s my uncle.”

I stared at him. “Huh?”

“The guy you were looking at?” He looked at the man.

“Hey, Uncle Phil, this is the girl I told you about. The real owner of the FYC App.”

“Really?” He walked toward us. “Ben told me a lot about you.”

“Hmm don’t expose me, Phil,” Ben added.

“Until Nadia decided to claim it as hers.”

Ben looked at me. “Yes, Kate told me when you were ignoring my calls.”

“Oh, that’s awful!” Phil said. “Let me know if I can help.”

“Yes. She doesn’t have a job and she’s half homeless.”

“Ben!” I shouted.

“What? It’s the truth,” he murmured. “And Uncle Phil did Computer Science.”

“That’s great Phil. I could learn a few more skills from you.” I shook his hand. “It’s nice meeting you.”

“Look, I would love to help you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out,” he smiled.

“I’ve got a spare room that Ben wants to steal,” he laughed.

“Ah, Uncle Phil… ”

“I truly appreciate it. I will think about it.”

“Alright. Ben will tell you all about me.” He went back to his seat.

Since the café wasn’t busy, Ben decided to join me. He sat across from me, staring at me for a minute long.

“What? Ben… ?”

“Hmm… just thinking, after all you have been through?” He looked serious. “Do you think God will surprise you?”

“I don’t know but… I trust him.” I blinked twice and looked away.

“But you know I’m here, right?” he said, trying to catch my eyes.

“It doesn’t always work like that.”

“What do you mean, Caro?”

“Some battles can only be fought within ourselves,” I sighed.