Go, detective!

Aaron helps me up from the ground where I sat slumped, long after Alicia and Joshua leave.

My legs just couldn't support me after the revelation.

Alicia though?

She told us she took up the job because she has to take care of a diebetic mother and an autistic younger brother.

When we asked about her father, she scoffed and said he is almost always drunk or in another country sowing his wild oats.

Now I don't know how much of that is true.

"Why do you look so helpless? Did he try anything with your colleague?"

I shake my head and allow him to lead me to the same bench the two villains previously occupied.

"What is it then? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"What did you find out, Aaron?"

He hisses and crosses his arms.

"The idiot was too drunk to make a coherent sentence! My threats flew right over his head."

I can't help the chuckle that escapes. It leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.

"His name is Divine, yeah?"

"What the– how'd you know?"

"He played you. Sent a warning text to Joshua while he acted like a fool."

Fisting his hair, Aaron cusses.

"That little shit! I swear I'll destroy him!"

"Since your chase was unfruitful, I'll tell you what I found out. In the car." I won't risk being eavesdropped on.

"Are you being real? Your coworker– the harmless looking girl– is some sort of evil minion? How is this shit even possible? I thought you knew her well!"

"I thought so too. Now I need to find her and rip her fingernails off until she tells me everything she knows."

"Ouch. Disturbing, but I dig it."

"Aaron, shut it. Aren't you even slightly bummed that you couldn't get any information? It seems your sources are better at getting some than you are."

"I pay these sources. Leverage, that's what it is."

"Typical rich boy talk." I lean on my backrest and yawn.

"No. Mentality of a wealthy man, but since you've been begging for it, go detective!"

We both laugh, then simultaneously yawn.

"Thank God it's Sunday in a few hours. I need to sleep all day."

"You don't go to church anymore?" I ask, because the Fletchers have always gone to church on Sundays.

"The house is too dysfunctional to deceive ourselves anymore. I also can't stand smiling and acting like a happy family when I know my mum is hiding a bruise under her blouse. She still goes though. She claims it gives her peace."

"Oh."

I jolt awake when he pulls over at my house.

"Destroying Nirvana would hurt your dad, but don't you think it will hurt your mum too?"

He looks like he's been expecting the question.

"No. She is the sole heiress to the greatest confectionary factory there is. She is made from money. She will survive."

"But..."

Can't she just report him? Fight back? Divorce him?

"I just hope she survives until then."

The pain in his voice stops my mouth from forming the words.

It would be insensitive.

Dianne is a smart woman.

If she hasn't done anything about her abuse yet, she must have a plan.

Even if she doesn't, I'm sure Aaron has thought of all that.

If he is helpless here, of what use am I?

"She will. She is a strong woman." I say instead, as I squeeze his shoulder.

He gives me a smile, but I can tell it is forced.

That's okay. I can't solve his problems for him, but I can be there.

I will be the friend I used to be. This time, without the feelings because I am getting over Aaron.

I sigh and look at him.

I am getting over you, Aaron.

I'll do it. Painfully yes, but surely.

He looks into my eyes as if hearing my thoughts and I force myself not to drown in his.

"You will too, you know? You're just as strong."

This time, his smile is sincere and he shifts his head to kiss the hand on his shoulder.

"Thank you, Rapunzel."

I take my hand off and ruffle his hair.

"Now let this detective get some sleep. She has to go to church tomorrow."

He nods and walks me to my door.

"Goodnight, Rapunzel. I swear we will get those bastards."

There's a flash of an emotion I cannot place in his eyes that is gone before I can even try.

"Goodnight, Aaron."

I hug him and enter the house.

"You snitch!"

"Hello, Lolita. Nice to see you too."

"Oh, be real. We both know that's a lie."

"True." I nod.

"Why did you tell Mum Kingsley was here?"

"You know mum, of course she knew. I didn't have to spill your secret."

"I don't believe you."

"Boo-hoo, I'm sad. Now can I go up and sleep?"

"I'm not done yet. Where did you go, looking like that? And with Fletcher."

I walk up the stairs and hear her follow me. She just won't give up, will she?

"Didn't you hear me ask a question, Tequila?" She snaps as we get to my room.

"Didn't you hear me ignore you, Lolita?" I undress and sigh in relief when my bra comes off.

I swear, satan invented bras.

"You need to be careful. I know you've made Daddy's scandal about you– wait, you make everything about you, so it's not at all surprising.

The rain falls on your birthday? God hates you. You don't entertain the possibility that the rain might have been the answer to someone's prayer–"

"What has that got to do with my outing with Aaron?"

Satan also invented my sister.

"It's not about the fucking outing! I opt to transfer to a community college close to home because the family suffered a scandal, and you tell me you know I'm back just so I can soak up the attention?

You little brat!

Our father was accused of raping a child, and all you do is cut your friends off and act out like some entitled bitch who lost everything!

Dad was the one who lost it all, yet did you ever ask him how he really is?

You take pride in your sharp tongue but do you even realize the damage it causes?

Do you understand that you still act like a petulant child?

You don't even know what is going on in your own home, yet you're chasing some sort of vengeance that was never even yours to begin with!"

"How– what is that even supposed–"

"What that is supposed to mean, little sister, is that the world does not revolve around you.

Maybe if you brought your head out your ass, you'd see that our parents' marriage is on the rocks!

But all you do is add problems to the larger-than-life heap they already have.

I might not be dad's favorite child, but at least I make sure to know what's going on in his life and I care enough to try to help. Something you have never done."

When the door slams shut, the first tear drops.