14

After their conversation, Mia retreated to her room and only came out to use the bathroom. There was no way she could face any member of this household right now. Sensing it was better to leave her to it, Carla and Bob allowed her to be alone.

Mia couldn’t even process how her mom could ask her such a thing. Her last name was one of the last things she had left of her dad. She never ever wanted to lose that.

The next morning, she expected a fight about her going to school, but there wasn’t. Instead, she heard the house get ready for their day, and eventually, leave. Once she was sure everyone was out of the house, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Despite the problems it had caused, Mia wrote in her diary. She’d decided on a new hiding place for it anyway, and was sure Savannah wouldn’t be able to steal it again.

She began to draft alternative escape plans.

• Run away and find a normal job to support herself
• Join t