I was in Dante's constant company for the next few days. We had lots of fun together trying to feed his rabbits. I sneaked home to fetch some clothes and was surprised that I did not meet Father, or Cassandra, whom I expect to be moving in any minute. The house was empty when I unlocked the door. I took a few articles with me and left again.

I knew I was wrong to do what I am doing. But I'm tired of being Daddy's good girl, trying to live up to Father's and everybody else's expectations.

I admit I hadn't been very good when I was younger, but since I left high school I had decided that I was going to make the best of my life even if nobody was going to help me. I had enough of an apathetic life, which was what I recognized my life to be until then. I tried to be perfect. With Joey's guidance, I thought I could do it.

I thought if I was good enough, perhaps one day Father would climb out of his grief.

Like a child craving for affection, I continued to push myself. I wanted to do well so that I could get into the university. My grades were never fantastic but I had no qualms because I knew I tried the best that I could. Well, most of the time anyway.

I tried to be what I think a good daughter should be and look after Father when he fell into drunken stupor on many nights. I tried to learn everything that a good homemaker should be so that I would at least have a home. A decent one, at least. I made sure that I live my life the healthy way, the normal way.

And now, I suddenly felt that everything was for naught. I am not saying that I lost the desire to live or anything even remotely close. I wanted to be naughty. I wanted a carefree life. I am sick and tired of being tied down by restrictions. I am sick of waiting for a normal family life. Just when I was getting on fine without a mother, something like this had to happen. Well, I wasn't going to let this get me down any longer. I decided that I was going to do whatever I want as and when I please from now on.

It was a little difficult trying to get a room in the middle of an academic year, especially when the applicant is a third year senior but somehow Dante managed to do it for me.

I was grateful for his help. Yet my relief was somewhat dampened by the thought of Joey and my father. It had been days since I left home but surprisingly I had not heard from Joey, who was always the one to come after me whenever I got into mischief when I was younger. Might as well, I thought. I didn't think I would be in any mood to listen to Joey had he approached me. Still, I thought I should at least give Joey a call and let him know that I was doing fine.

My thoughts were disturbed when I heard a knocking on the door. I opened it and found myself face to face with a woman in her mid-twenties. She looked at me curiously and then peeped into Dante's room for awhile.

"I'm sorry, can I help you?"

The woman broke into a smile and spoke softly.

"This is room 401, am I right?"

I nodded, wondering who this woman was.

"I was under the impression that this room belongs to Dante, no?"

"Dante isn't in at the moment, you are..?"

The woman offered her hand to me. "I'm his sister, Diane."

I was surprised at this sudden visit from Dante's family. Especially so since I had the impression that Dante wasn't very close to his family and that they were supposed to be in the States. I shook Diane's hand and introduced myself before inviting her into the room. I motioned her to the small couch in the room and sat down myself.

"I wasn't aware that the students in the hostel share rooms." Diane began.

"I'm not Dante's roommate. My room is on the third floor. I'm actually moving in there today."

Diane gave me a questioning look to which I responded uncomfortably. I knew she was curious to know the implications to my last statement but I was saved from answering it by Dante's entry into the room.

"Brenda, do you know your room number? I forgot to tell you yester.." Dante stopped when he realized that I was not alone.

The greeting he gave his sister was a cool one. I was puzzling over this when Diane smiled again and invited the both of us to lunch. I hesitated before agreeing when Dante nodded his approval rather curtly. If Diane had detected anything amiss from her brother, she was hiding it rather well.

Lunch was a pleasant affair and although Dante was silent most of the time, he did not deter us from conversing.

Later in the evening, Diane had to return to her hotel and finally Dante and I were alone. I had many questions for Dante but he seemed more interested in helping me move into my new room, although there wasn't anything to move at all. After all, I only had a few articles of clothing with me, among other belongings. I decided that my questions could wait a few more days and thus did not mention anymore of Diane that night.

For the next few days, Diane would visit us frequently and I grew to like her. When we were alone she told me about her family and Dante's childhood. He had always been a solitary boy. He had few friends and never brought any friend home. I told her a little about the awkward situation the day she arrived and she nodded understandingly although I did not mention why I had left home.

I soon discovered that Diane's trip was a business one as she had been sent by her company and would be here for a few weeks. As it would be the beginning of another new semester soon, I only had a few days to show Diane around. Dante had been too busy with the competition he participated in a week before.

I was puzzled over the cool attitude Dante gave his sister. He did not seem to care that she existed.

Whenever we meet up for lunch or dinner, I seem to play the role of an imaginary mediator. Although there had not been any verbal disputes between the siblings, I could sense an imminent war and I tried to brace myself for the inevitable fight. It came just the day before our second semester started.