BGM to listen to.
Away from home.
3 months turns into 6, and bills are gradually filling up your mind until there's nothing left.
Checking out another resident. You smile and take their key card from them, wishing them safe travels.
You put the card back into the pile, sorting them neatly into a stack.
Blink.
You're back with your family, sorting and shuffling the playing cards at the round table.
You haven't played a game with them for so long. When was the last time?
You don't remember.
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It's a late night after work, and a treat sounds good after a long day.
You walk past a McDonalds, their neon signs glowing in the bustling city night.
"A soft serve would be good," you think.
Blink.
You're holding a soft serve in the drive through with your father.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JuGMr0BBb
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"You're seriously getting a sundae this late?" You ask. 159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnE6seD4T1
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After all, you would never have been allowed any sweets this late as a kid.
"Sure," He says, taking a bite of the sundae.
'The ice cream tasted extra sweet that night,' you thought.
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Blink.
Playing "don't get eaten by the great white shark" with Grandma on the bed.
Blink.
Rehearsing the times tables with mum while swinging in her arms.
Blink.
Going on a walk with mum and dad, their strong arms lifting you up into the air as you take a flying leap.
A place where you belonged.
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But then you remember.
The slap, followed by curses.
The chasing, screaming, threatening.
Sitting in a 1-metre squared room, with only a piano and dad by your side, expecting, expecting, expecting.
The constant voice, telling you what to do, what not to do, what you're always doing wrong.
Sitting on the bed aimlessly. The days pass with no change.
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And suddenly, you don't miss home anymore.
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