she’d had a long day. and when she eventually got home the apartment was empty. thank god. it was going to be so nice to just have the place for herself for a while. now, she didn’t always enjoy being alone, but who didn’t need some time for themselves? finally, she could write without being interrupted every other minute. she plugged in her earplugs and listened to her favorite playlist. she was writing her essay while chatting with her friend from class in another window, when suddenly a hand wrapped around her throat from behind. her heart stopped for a second and she quickly pulled out her earplugs. 

And as if dinner wasn’t awkward enough, her mother had made dessert. Just great. While she was out preparing it, Maya leaned over the table to address her new so-called step dad. “I wouldn’t get too comfy in that chair if I were you,” she snapped. “Who knows, maybe she’ll kick you out by the end of the month.” Maya had given up on step dads. They never stuck around long enough to get to know her anyways, so now she just hated them all. She and her mom did just fine on their own. they didn’t need a man in their life.

It was Friday night and Maya was home alone for the weekend. She had just taken a pizza out of the oven when the doorbell rang. She was not expecting visitors and her mom wouldn’t be home until Sunday. When she opened the door to reveal who it was, an annoyed expression spread across her entire face. “You sure got some nerve showing up here after she made it crystal clear that she never wanted to see you again,” she snarled at them. “You should be extremely grateful that she’s not home right now.” God knows what would have happened if she were. The man in front of her would probably have a broken nose or a black eye by now. Luckily for him, Maya wasn’t so violent.