TWO: THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US

Micah got to the store, dashing quickly into the inner room and changing into her work clothes.

Greg, a fellow worker was already packing up, ready to leave.

"Hey Greg." Micah called just as she stepped out.

"Micah, how was the performance?" He asked, beaming.

"Same as always, all set to leave?" She asked

"Yeah, gotta go see Laurie, she's hell bent on me visiting." he replied, chuckling.

"Alright, tell Laurie I said hi."

"Sure thing" Greg assured, leaving.

There weren't so many customers in the store which gave her some sort of relief. she was acutely tired from dancing.

Her toes were hurting plus her pointe shoes were getting tight. That moment, she wanted nothing but her bed which seemed to be her only comfort since her mum passed away.

She fished out her phone, scrolling through her text messages.

The last text she sent to her dad stared widely at her, seeming to mock her for a while.

She felt a familiar ache in her chest. It was a pain she had grown accustomed to over the years.

Either way, it still stung.

She walked herself down memory lane, remembering the good old days which had slowly turned into a painful nightmare.

She got snapped out of her thoughts by a customer who had come to make payments. she did a quick calculation of the goods and summed up the total amount.

"$250.32" she said.

The customer fished out a credit card, handing it over to her. she swiped the card on the card reader... nothing.

She raised her eyes, eyebrow raised.

"Shit!" The customer breathed. Micah sensed that he was upset about something. He turned his face to Micah who had been staring expressionless at him.

"Can I take these with me? I'll cash in tomorrow." he said.

"I'm sorry sir, we don't give room for such." Micah replied.

"I said I'll turn up tomorrow" he protested, almost raising his voice.

"No" she said with a tone of finality.

She could see his hatred for her building up. She was used to the hate anyways. He sighed, taking off his wristwatch and dropping it on the counter.

"I give you your cash tomorrow, you return this to me" he said coldly, grabbing the bags and leaving.

Micah rolled her eyes so hard that they almost fell out. Customers and their annoying temper!!

She quickly grabbed the watch, walking briskly out of the store and meeting up with the young man who had it. She took his hand, placing the watch in it.

"Don't fail." she said, walking back to the store.

He watched her disappear into the store, a small smile playing on his lips. He walked back to the car, getting into the owner's seat.

"To the office." he ordered. At once the car sped off, raising a reasonable amount of dust.

Micah packed her stuff, getting ready to leave as the store was about to close.

"I'll send in your wages." the store owner assured.

Micah gave a weak smile, slowly tracing her way home. She pulled the front door open, walking in and drawing some air.

It never smelled like the home she once knew.

She shut the door behind her, the sound echoing through the silent hallway.

She didn't bother to hide her tiredness as she trudged up the stairs to her room. A quick shower was just what she needed to wash away the stress of the evening. She let the warm water soak her skin, feeling some of the tension melt away.

After her shower, she changed into comfortable clothes and headed downstairs to the kitchen. The family was just finishing up dessert, the remnants of a lavish dinner spread out on the table which they had without her.

That didn't hurt her though for she never fancied having dinner with them.

Her stepmom, Victoria and stepsister,Tovia, chatted animatedly while her dad sat at the edge of the table, a distant look in his eyes. Micah ignored them, rummaging through the fridge for leftovers. She was used to fending for herself when it comes to dinner.

As she heated up a plate of food in the microwave, her dad walked into the kitchen.

"You're home late." he began.

Micah kept mum, eyes fixed on the microwave.

"I'm talking to you." His voice came again. Micah sighed, raising her eyes to his face.

"I had night shift." She replied, returning her gaze to the microwave.

"I have told you to quit that job, it's dangerous for a lady to be out at night." He said.

Micah scoffed. How on earth was she going to pay for her tuition at the academy? And since when did he care about her safety?

" How was the performance?" He asked, his voice a little too casual.

" It was fine dad,the usual." She replied, her expression neutral. He sensed the hurt beneath her words and took a step closer.

"I'm sorry I couldn't make it to your performance, I got held up at work and...."

"Dad please" She began, cutting him off. She turned to him, her eyes flashing with a mix of sadness and frustration.

"You don't have to make excuses, it's not like you've shown up for any of my performance. I've learned to deal with it." She said flatly, turning back to the microwave.

He stared at his daughter, dumbfounded by the way she spoke, his eyes searching for a way to bridge the gap between them but Micah wasn't having any of it. She so much reminded him of her mother.

"I just wish you could be there sometimes" She said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

The kitchen stood still for a while, only the beeping of the microwave could be heard.

Micah sighed, dishing her food onto a plate and turning around.

"Sleep early, you look stressed." She said finally, carrying her dinner along with her.

He watched his once bright and cheerful jewel disappear into her room. He couldn't even remember the last time he saw her smile.

They were slowly drifting apart and he knew it.

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