Cassidy woke up feeling more tired than ever. After their blissful week with their mom, Linda was back. She woke up in a panic after hearing her mom bang cupboards around in the kitchen and talk to herself. Luckily she kept it down for the little ones but there was no way Cassidy could get to sleep after. That pit in her stomach told her it was going to be a bad day when they woke, she could just feel it. Her mom always seemed to be exceptionally mean when she came back from these little trips. Cassidy always wondered if was because she had to come back here to a place she hated, or something that happened on the trips. Didn’t matter though, she never planned on asking. Her alarm went off at six and she quickly shut it off. She hopped out of bed and threw on the jeans and long sleeve black shirt she picked out the night before and worked on getting everyone up.

“Guys, be quiet when we leave. Mum came home last night,” she whispered to them as they got ready to leave their room.

“I’m hungry Cassie,” Maggie whined below her.

“I know Mags. I have some fruit and sandwiches in my purse, we can snack on them on tube,” she told her. Cassidy’s intuition snapped in last night and she made breakfast before her mom came home. Peanut butter sandwiches weren’t the best thing to eat, but it was better than nothing. They quickly walked out of the room and headed for the front door. Linda was nowhere to be seen, more than likely sleeping off another hangover in her bedroom. Cassidy breathed a sigh of relief as they headed down the apartment steps and out into the fresh air.

“Oh shit, stay here. I forgot my phone, I’ll be right back.” She wanted to hit herself right now. Her phone was a must have just in case something happened to them at school but she really didn’t want to go back inside.

“Do you want me to go,” Colin offered next to her. She waved him off. Cassidy was the oldest, she needed to stand tall and face the facts herself.

“I’ll be right back, don’t worry.” She smiled at them hoping the fear didn’t show. Cassidy ran back in and climbed the steps fast to the third story apartment. The door slowly opened and Cassidy peaked in. Her mom was still MIA thankfully. She took huge steps to her room hoping none on creaks on the floor would go off. Her phone was still lying on the dresser just like she put it last night. Cassidy quickly grabbed it and shoved it into her pocket. Now, she just had to sneak back out.

“And where do you think you are going?” She froze. Of course her mother heard her. The words were still soaked in a drunken haze. She slowly turned around to face the woman.

“I’m going to work and taking your kids to school.” She spoke sternly but the hint of fear still lingered. Her mother’s eyes looked wild, almost to the point of where they couldn’t even focus. Both darted back and forth while Linda continued to maintain her position in the doorway.

“I need money,” Linda yelled at her. It figures, she always wanted something.

“Well I don’t have any. I need to go, the kids are waiting outside.” Cassidy tried to push past her through the doorway. She knew her mom was still drunk and unstable, so one push would give her the freedom to the door.

“Bitch you will stay right here!” Her moms fingers wrapped around the top of Cassidy’s arm. Her nails and finger dug in so hard it felt like her bones would break at any second. She bit her lip hard to stop the scream from coming out of her mouth.

“I’m not letting go until you get me money.” Linda’s voice was close to her ear. Cassidy could smell the foul taste of beer on her breath behind her. It made her was to vomit right then and there.

“I don’t have any money,” she told her very slowly. There was no way Linda was getting even a dime of hers.

“I don’t believe you,” she seethed, tightening the grip on her arm. It hurt, it hurt so bad but Cassidy refused to break in front of her.

“Let go of me now Linda,” Cassidy barked back. Enough was enough. She knew there would be marks there later. The pain itself scared her but the thought of her mom acting out more was even more terrifying. This isn’t the first time Linda held her against her will. The last time ended up with Cassidy getting pushed into the wall and fingerprint bruises down her arms. She had to wear long sleeve shirts in eighty degree weather for two weeks.

“Go fuck yourself,” Linda spat. She unlocked her fingers from Cassidy and gave her a shove. Cassidy fell into the bookshelf by in the living room, but she was able to catch herself and quickly escape. The tears didn’t start until she made it down the first set of stairs. It made her angry. Her mom was petite; barely even one hundred and twenty pounds, but she knew how to get under Cassidy’s skin. Linda could take control of her in the snap of her fingers, and she knew it too. Cassidy wished she wouldn’t let her effect like that, but it was hard. Fear was always something she dealt with, even before her mom going into the behavior seen did now. Everything made her nervous, scared and anxious to deal with. That was just the way she was born.

Cassidy kept flying down the steps, quickly wiping the tears from her face. The last thing she wanted was for Ben and Maggie to see her upset before they went to school. Once she got to the landing she could finally breathe. She was okay, the kids were okay, nothing bad happened. Only, except she forgot a coat. Luckily the chilly April air was standing to get a bit warmer.

“What happened,” Colin questioned her as she walked back out to meet them.

“Nothing important, you all ready for school,” she asked with a fake smile. She knew it looked completely phony but hoped it worked.

“What did see do Cassidy? Tell me,” Colin ordered. His face began to turn red, just like it always did when he was angry. Colin headed for the complex door when she stopped him.

“Colin stop, we need to get moving. She wanted money and I wouldn’t give her anything.” His eyes trailed down to the deep red marks right below her sleeve.

“Stop. I’m serious,” Cassidy warned. She could tell he wanted to say something. Colin quickly huffed under his breath and started for the train station. Cassidy turned her attention to the younger two and started walking with him.

“Why is Colin mad,” Maggie asked her sister.

“We just don’t always agree,” Cassidy told her.

“Did mum do something,” Colin asked from the other side. Cassidy sighed, she wished they were like normal children and didn’t pick up on everything so much.

“Everything is fine you two, come up let’s move I don’t want you to be late.”

----

By the time Cassidy got to the Payne house she was beyond cold. The whole no coat thing turned into a bad idea once she got off the train. The wind was blowing directly at her making her body shiver. Damn her mother for being home. She wished Linda would just disappear for once and for all. It’s heartless to think like that about your own mum, but Cassidy knew the truth. She wasn’t a mum like she used to, or would ever be one. She quickly race up the steps to the house and pushed her family out of her head. It was time to work.

“Good morning,” she smiled as she walked into the kitchen. Both Liam and Gray were there along with Niall and the tall Harry.

“Hey Cass, morning,” Gray commented from side where she was making coffee. Cassidy walked past them all and threw her purse down on the kitchen table.

“What happened to you arm,” Niall whispered behind her. She turned around to see him, just inches away like always. What was wrong with this boy?

“Wrestling match gone wrong with my brothers,” she lied. It was a shit lie completely, but one she used before. Only Cassidy could have a handful of excuses ready and waiting on the tip of her tongue. Niall stared back at her not changing his expression.

“Why are you looking at me like that? And stop sneaking up at me,” she sharply whispered back. Thankfully the rest of the group where engaged in their own conversation and ignoring them.

“I scared you again,” he asked with a smile.

“Yes. You are like a damn mouse, we need to put a bell on you.” The look on his face turned to a sly smile. Cassidy really wondered what he was thinking inside that head of his. The blush hit her cheeks while Niall ran his tongue across his bottom lip. Oh god. No boy should ever do that within ten feet of her. Cassidy wished the earth would swallow her up right now. He had to know the effect he was putting on her right now, it was literally written all over her face.

“Hey, hey you two! Hi,” Gray shouted from the other side of the room. Both Niall and Cassidy snapped their heads to look at her.

“Oh boy, I know that look. Niall, time for you to go,” she laughed yet ordered at him.

“What look? You don’t know what you are talking about,” he spat back. Cassidy could hear a touch of anger in his voice too; she wondered what that was all about.

“Uh huh, sure there buddy. Get going boys, all of you,” Gray ordered. Liam bent his face down to give her a kiss and Cassidy made herself look away. Public displays of affection were so weird to her. The three boys left, giving her a small wave before leaving.

“I’m sorry Gray, I don’t exactly know what he was doing,” Cassidy apologized. She hoped his behavior didn’t start more trouble.

“Please, I know him, definitely not your fault. Niall is a good boy but has some weird ways,” Gray told her. Cassidy took a breath and let herself smile.

“He is quite interesting. Does he always come over all the time,” she asked. Gray shot her a weird look.

“He’s been over here?”

“Oh, yes. I thought you knew. Just once though,” she quickly told her. Crap, maybe she just should of kept it to herself.

“He comes over a lot, which I don’t mind but I don’t want him bugging you if you don’t like it. I can tell you are shy Cass but you can definitely tell him off if you’d like,” Gray told her. Cassidy absentmindedly picked at the skin around her thumb.

“I don’t mind him, he seems innocent. Just as long as it’s okay with you.” Gray laughed loudly from her side of the kitchen.

“Innocent Niall, that one is new. I better get out of here. Oh! I know it’s an extremely late but could you stay til around ten thirty tomorrow? Liam wanted to get dinner after I get home,” Gray asked her. Cassidy quickly did the math in her head. Colin could get the kids home, she could even leave him some money to go out for dinner and the last train left at eleven forty five. That would give her plenty of time. It was wrong to agree to it and be away from them for the whole day but she secretly wanted to stay there. Maybe Niall would even show up.

“That should be fine, the last train leaves at 11:45 so I will be good,” Cassidy told her formally.

“Great, thank you Cass, you are a lifesaver. Spencer is still sleeping, see you at four.” Gray left Cassidy in her thoughts as she headed out for the day. Would Niall come back? He had a habit of showing up when she did so it was a possibility. Otherwise, the twelve hour work day was going to be the longest of her life. She bit her lip and smiled at the thought, hopefully it would be an enjoyable evening.

----

Cassidy was able to leave yesterday and go home to quiet. Linda was awake, but she stared at the TV the whole time Cassidy walked through the store. For a second she thought her mom could be dead. No rude comments, no lashing out, and no orders for food felt weird. It made her happy though, a slight part of her hoping her mom was changing and sorry for the incident before. The marks on her arm had turned to purple by the time she got home.

“Colin, I have to work late tomorrow, are you okay with watching them,” she whispered. Both Ben and Maggie were asleep, Cassidy was reading yet another book and Colin looked to be studying Chemistry.

“Sure,” he said blankly, not looking up. She sighed; of course he was still upset about this morning.

“I’m sorry about this morning,” Cassidy told him.

“It’s fine Cass,” he shot back. No, it wasn’t fine, not for her. She quietly got out of bed and walked to their closet. That was where she kept her money, hidden far in the back under a large and heavy box of books. Her mum never seem to get that far when she trashed their room looking for drug money. Under that box was a small pooch with everything she had saved. Cassidy quickly pulled out two twenties and handed them over.

“Twenty is fine,” he told her.

“No. You keep the other for yourself, “she insisted, shoving the bill at him. Colin took a moment to grab it, but eventually did.

“You are a good sister Cass,” he told her smiling. Little things like that meant the world to her.

“Thanks Colin. Be good to them tomorrow ok? I know Maggie’s questions drive you crazy but just be calm with her,” she begged. Colin laid down his textbook and looked at her.

“Don’t worry, we will be fine Gray. Besides, I have my phone if anything happens. Go work and don’t worry tomorrow,” he laughed at her. Cassidy gave his hand a reassuring squeeze and crawled back into bed.

“What’s it like there?” His voice made her look over at him.

“Where,” she asked confused.

“At the place you nanny. What’s it like?” Cassidy never told them who she exactly worked for as it was better to keep it completely private.

“Very white. It’s blinding, but it’s nice for a job. I don’t mind,” she replied.

“Are they rich,” Colin asked. She wondered why he was asking so many questions. Usually he didn’t care about what she did.

“Yes,” her voice came out strained.

“You deserve that Cass, you deserve every bit of what they have.” He spoke quietly but stared right at her. She knew that Colin truly met what he was saying right now. They typically didn’t speak like this, he was always so closed off but he cared for her so much. It made her want to cry, but she bit the inside of her cheek to stop. Tears would have ruined the moment.

“I love you Colin,” she softly said.

“I know you do. Night.” He put his book back on the floor and rolled over leaving Cassidy alone in her thoughts. She turned the bedside light off but there was no way to sleep now. Everything that had gone on swirled in her head. It was going to get better for them, she knew it.

----

“Well my dear. We have had dinner, we played and now we smell very good. I think it’s time for bed,” she cooed to the baby. Unfortunately, it had been a very boring day for her. No surprises, nothing out of the ordinary. Just her and Gray hanging out the entire time. Liam stopped by quickly to change but barely spoke two words to her. She gave him a wave and he was on his way again. Cassidy had spent the day cleaning, watching TV and hanging out with Spencer. They had a good kinship going on.

“Pink or yellow today,” she asked her holding up the two pairs of warm pajamas.

“Yellow it is. You know, I even brought my own clothes to change into. You can only look good for so long before you want to be comfy.” Cassidy carefully dressed her in the pajamas before grabbing the warm bottle that was ready and a blanket. All she had to do was get Spencer to bed and she was free. Time to cuddle up in the TV room and watch a good movie.

“What song should we sing tonight? I’m thinking a classic by Blackstreet, definitely one you need to know.” She adjusted the child in her arms and relaxed into the rocking chair. They had a system. Spencer ate and fell asleep as long as Cassidy sung her to sleep and held her tight. It was very relaxing to both of them.

“Shorty get down good Lord. Baby got them open all over town,” Cassidy started. Her voice carried the notes as she twisted the chords, almost making it sound like a Broadway tune and not a raunchy classic.

"Strickly girl you don't play around, cover much ground got game by the pound," she continued. Spencer's big chocolate brown eyes stared up at her as she continued to drink from her bottle. Cassidy softly ran her fingerprints her over the little girl's hair. She really had fallen for her. No one the boy's were always around, Spencer was a complete joy. Her brown hair curled on the ends and were lighter. She had her own natural baby ombre look going on. Definitely a one of a kid child.

"I like the way you work it, no diggity, I've got to bag it up. No diggity.. I've got to bag it up." Her voice hit the high note and trailed off. Spencer's mouth drooped letting the bottle fall down to her legs. Cassidy smiled, such an easy way to help a kid sleep.

"Don't jump, but I'm right here." Even before she looked up, she knew it was him. After all he was the only Irish she knew. Cassidy looked to see him and a completely goofy grin on his face.

"Don't wake her," she whispered as she stood up and carried her to crib. Cassidy tucked her in, making sure she was warm enough and happy before giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"Sleep tight little one," she whispered into Spencer's ear. Her and Niall walked out of the room and headed down the hall before speaking.

"Do you have a habit of changing some so much," he finally spoke.

"I like music." Niall followed her into the TV room and closed the door. Cassidy watched him from the middle of the room wondering what to do next. He showed up, just like she wanted but things always go easier in her head then in real life. He seemed to read her mind, giving her a cheeky smile as he sat down on the front couch.

"Are you going to sit," he asked and still had that wild look on her face. Cassidy took the spot on the far side leaving a good amount of space between them. They looked like two completely different types of people sitting there. Niall was relaxed and comfortable. He slouched in the couch sticking his legs out in front and his hands draped over his stomach. Cassidy on the other hand was as stiff as a board. Ankles, knees and thighs locked together while her back was at a perfectly set ninety degree angle. Sure, if she was alone right now she would stretch out a bit but considering she was working she had to keep her guard up.

"So do you always make dirty songs power ballads," he asked her. Cassidy could feel his eyes staring at her while she kept straight pretending to watch some sort of commercial.

"Not usually, I try to stick closer to rock songs."

"Why do you do that?" Cassidy finally looked at him, but refused to stare too hard.

"I used to sing my sister to sleep. Usually a song just pops into my head and I go with it," she explained.

"How old is your sister?"

"Maggie is six." It felt like a sick game of twenty questions going on. She could tell he just wanted to make small talk but that wasn't her. Opening up was never easily. There was always too many questions and too many people wanting to know more and get in her space. There was a reason she kept quiet, three reasons. Her siblings. If the wrong person found out about their home situation and went to the authorities, it could all crumble down. All of three of them would get put in foster home, probably not even together and Cassidy would have to work harder then ever on getting them back. Being together was so much more important then living without fear.

"You don't open very easily. Are you always this stiff," he laughed.

"I'm not stiff, she barked. What she stiff?

"Don't take this the wrong way, but you are. Look at how you are sitting," he responded waving his arm at her body as evidence. Cassidy looked at herself. Yes, she was a bit upright, but it didn't feel all that unnatural. She liked to sit straight, it was good for your health.

"This is how I sit," Cassidy said back.

"Do you ever loosen up? Like at home?" She had to bit her town from snorting. Oh Niall, if you only knew the truth she thought.

"When I go to bed, yes," she replied. Niall quickly jumped up from the couch and held his hand out to her.

"Come on," he ordered. Cassidy stared back at him wondering what was up his sleeve.

"Don't give me that look. Just trust me, ok." She looked into his pleading eyes and knew. He was telling the truth, whatever he wanted to do she knew she should just go with it. She grabbed his hand and Niall effortlessly pulled her up. He led her out of the room and down the hallway to the staircase. She was happy it was dark, her face surely had to be extremely pink. Niall didn't let go of her hand the whole time as they ventured out into the backyard. The sky was clear, every star was shining brightly above them.

"What are we doing here," she asked when he stopped in the middle of the yard. The chilly air was already starting to embed into her skin.

"You are going to loosen up." Niall let go of her hand and ran over to the trampoline. Oh no, that is not happening.

"Come on Cassie, you know you want to," he shouted as he started to jump. Cassidy stood firmly in the spot where he left her.

"I can't, what about Spencer," she came back with.

"She will be fine for a couple minutes, come on." Trampolines were dangerous. People ended up in the hospital every day from them. There was no way she could afford an emergency room trip right now.

"I think I'll just watch." Niall laughed and let his hands fly up in the air making his butt hit the bouncy material. Cassidy smiled at him, that boy did know how to enjoy himself.

"Please? You have nothing to loose," he whined.

"Other then a limb," she mumbled under her breath. Niall stopped jumping and looked at her.

"If you break a bone I will pay for it, get up here!" Cassidy sighed and tried to weigh out the options. One, it did look like fun, but two it was also quite scary and unknown. One simple move could end in catastrophe. Maybe she needed to be brave though. Niall seemed safe, he wouldn't put her life in jeopardy outright. Cassidy walked over and hopped up on the edge.

"Stand up now," he commented next to her. She slowly moved, trying to get her barring's before slowly hoping from foot to foot. Niall's face erupted in a smile and he started to jump harder. The whole contraption shook making Cassidy stick her arms out.

"If you fall you bounce back," he said.

"Uh huh," she mumbled not really listening to him. If she fell, she could break a bone, break his bones or flash him completely. Her loose blue shirt was not trampolining material.

"Here." He reached his hands out to her with nod. Cassidy grabbed on tightly and let him bounce her body up. After a bit she started to get the feel of it. Her legs became more stable and it was actually quite fun.

"Okay, next bounce land on your butt, you'll shoot back up," he dictated. The both pushed down again, launching themselves in the air before lifting their legs up and landed down on the behinds. The plan backfired though and the bounce deflated making them stop completely. The shocked look on Niall's face made her giggle with laughter.

"That wasn't supposed to happen," he laughed. It only made Cassidy giggle more. She rolled on her side and felt the cool material on her cheek. It felt good to laugh, more then she thought. Niall's laugh chuckled next to her. She rolled over to see him in the same position staring back. Both of them fell quiet as the looked at each other. Something changed in the air, the a powerful wind had just come over them. They had a connection, what of though Cassidy didn't know.

"Can we do it again," she whispered. Niall nodded back and jumped up. They didn't hold hands this time, but at least Cassidy got more into it. They tried to see who can jump higher and soon seemed to keep running into each other.

"Fun, right," he asked, looking at her again.

"Right." She smiled back sincerely. It was, it was probably the first time that should could remember that she just let go and didn't care.

----

After fifteen minutes of jumping, both were cold and sweaty. It was a lethal combination to be outside in. Both of them hurried inside to try and warm up.

"I'll get some drinks and meet you upstairs," he told her. It came out more then a question, as if Niall was waiting for her to okay it.

"Okay," she spoke softly. Cassidy left, quickly checked on Spencer who was still sound and asleep and in the same position as before. Cassidy tip toed down to the TV room and quickly threw a blanket over her freezing body. The London air was great at sneaking up on you. You could go outside and feel normal, and it would come up in bite you in the butt making your bones feel like they were freezing. She wanted to jump up and grab another blanket but moving didn't sound like an option.

"Here here," he said quickly putting a cup in her face. She grabbed it fast and watched him quickly jump under her blanket on the other side of the couch. Whoa, this wasn't an option.

"What? You don't share," Niall asked while he read her face.

"No, no.. it's.. fine." She stuttered at him. It didn't feel fine but kicking him out would be rude. Niall picked up her feet and shoved them down next to his body, blocking her in. She wiggled her toes on habit making him smile. They both sat in quiet, picking at their nails and drinking the hot cocoa he made.

"Can I ask why you came tonight," Cassidy questioned. The question had been on her mind since they went outside.

"Figured you needed someone to hang out with. Liam mentioned you were staying late and I have nothing to do," he explained. Her face fell a bit. She was just a filler in his famous life.

"Oh. He seems, not to like me very much." Liam was always so quiet and stone cold around her. She wondered if it was her or that was just his behavior in general.

"Nope, that's just Liam. He got much more uptight when Spencer came along," Niall laughed, "he is very protective of those two. The girls as we call him. Don't let him bug you, sooner or later he will return to normal." Oh, so it was just him.

"Oh. That's good to hear." She took a sip of her drink and pulled the blanket up higher.

"You say oh a lot," Niall commented.

"O - it happens." Her face blushed.

"So you have a sister, and brothers?" Cassidy nodded her head.

"I do. Maggie then Ben who is eight and Colin is seventeen," she told him.

"Are you close? What does your mum do?" She started to feel her body tense with all the questions.

"We are. My mum, she works a lot." Her guard was going up again and the danger screamed in her head. He was asking questions in the no go area, she didn't want to bring any of it up.

"You really are a close off person aren't you," Niall asked her. His eyes stared her down in curiosity.

"I just like to keep some parts of my life private. My siblings though, we are close. I'd do anything for them. Mum is gone often so I take care of them a lot," she explained.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" His face changed, almost like he was looking for a hopeful answer. It took all her might not to laugh.

"No, no boys like that in my life." Niall smiled at her, playing coy while he drank from his cup. They spent the rest of the time watching the TV show Niall found on TV. Each exchanged glances at each other, but didn't say anything. Cassidy enjoyed the company. Other then the kids, she hadn't actually hung out with someone like this in a long time. Her friends from high school disappeared after the years of her ignoring them due to the problems with her Mom.

"Cass, Niall! You two up there?" Gray's voice made Cassidy jump and practically fall off the couch. She stood up quickly and moved away from Niall, hoping nothing looked fishy. He quietly giggled from the couch, giving her an amused look.

"There you are, how'd it go?" Gray asked when she walked into the room. She looked between them, a twitch curling up the side of her mouth.

"Great," Cassidy's voice out too high," Spencer felt asleep little over an hour ago and haven't heard a peep since." She rocked anxiously on her heels hoping no one asked any other questions.

"Well that's good to hear. Niall, you have fun," Gray smirked at him.

"Course," he smiled back. Oh god, it was making Cassidy feel so uncomfortable.

"If it's okay, I'm going to go and catch the train. I'll see you all Monday," she asked.

"Of course, we will see you then. Thanks again for this," Gray gave her a quick side hug before Cassidy left leaving the three of them alone. She took the steps two at a time and grabbed her purse before leaving. The wind was just as cold but this time she at least remembered to bring a coat. Cassidy kept her head down and went downstairs to the train. Talk about a night. She imagined Niall would come over, but didn't realize they would connect like that. It was.. nice. Very nice. Cassidy smiled to herself and waited, she couldn't wait to go back.

----

Cassidy opened the apartment door slowly, just enough to the point where it wouldn't creak. She prayed her mom was at least in her room and not in the open. Linda couldn't ruin this night, it just wasn't going to happen.

"Come in Cassie, she isn't here," Colin's voice ran to her. She sighed a breathe of relief and walked in. He was alone, sitting on the couch with the same Chemistry book as before.

"How'd it go? Have you seen her," Cassidy questioned.

"Good, we had McDonald's. It was disgusting. I haven't seen her but I need to talk to you Cass." The urgency of his voice put her on alert. She threw down her purse and rushed over to him.

"What is it? Is something wrong with Maggie? Or Ben? Tell me Colin," she begged, feeling the tears brewing in her eyes.

"They are both fine, sit down." She did as he asked, sitting down and staring at him.

"Mum found your money." He reached down handing over the pouch. It felt like someone punched her in the stomach. God, how bad could it be? She grabbed it from him with shaky hands and looked inside. There was still money in there thankfully, not all of it was gone. Cassidy pulled it out and started to count.

"How bad," Colin whispered next to her.
"She took five hundred. The bitch took five hundred of our money!" Her voice started to get louder with anger. She couldn't even describe how mad she was right now. What mother steal from there children? Her mother. Linda. Linda, the woman with no soul took the hard earned money that belonged to her children. Just to get alcohol, drugs and whatever else was important. Sure, it didn't take her very long to make that much, but it didn't matter. It was wrong, their mum was wrong yet again.

"I'm so fucking sick of her," she screamed, through the bag across the room. Bills flew out, making it rain cash all over the living room. Her neck gave out making her head fall to her knees. Cassidy's body shook with sobs as Colin pulled her body into his. He hugged her tight as she cried into his shoulder. She didn't like to break in front of her and usually kept it for the shower in the morning but enough was enough. It was becoming the point where she didn't know if she could do this anymore. She wanted out, her siblings deserved to be out. It was time to start finding a chance to this once and for all.

Notes

My brain keeps typing Gray instead of Cassidy by accident, I apologize if I didn't fix any! Next chapter will be up this weekend, Monday by the latest.