please note I have not edited all chapters yet

Breakfast was spread across the kitchen counter, different plates holding different food.

"Bacon and eggs for Joyce, waffles and eggs for Melanie, Pancakes and waffles for Lilly, and Bacon and eggs between two waffles for Danny," I mumbled to myself as I arranged the plates on the kitchen table.

Right on cue, at 7:00 AM, mostly everyone hustled downstairs to eat. Despite a rough night, I tried to keep my mind off it and yesterday's events which I washed away. I remembered those eyes looking up at me last night, and the way Levi said they needed me. One thing is for certain here; family comes first.

After everyone was eating, I ventured into Missy's room, finding her asleep under many blankets. On the bed side table, a glass of water sat with her pill bottle spilled out onto the floor.

"Missy?"

I spoke calmly, nudging her arm as she slept. I heard a few low grumbles before she sat up.

"What happened to you?" I exclaimed once she rose from the blankets. I backed away from the bed.

Missy's face was puffy and pale, tuffs of hair sticking up in every direction. Her eyes were almost invisible, squinted and glossy. She immediately started crying.

"I don't want to..." Missy croaked out each word, "do this anymore, Hale."

She wiped her tears with her sleeve.

"You just need alcohol," I bluntly responded.

The truth hurt. Sometimes, when Missy tries to refrain from alcohol, she falls into a depression and won't leave her bed for days. Nobody can help her and it's quite pathetic.

"I love alcohol," Missy whispered, grabbing my hand. She turned her wrist so it faced me, exposing dark purple glistening veins, "It's in my blood."

I looked around the darkened room, retracting my hand from her grip. Her creepy words were enough to make me uncomfortable.

"Sleep," I ordered, and left the room.

I gave a nod to Levi downstairs, which means something is usually wrong with Missy.

Usually, he will take a day off of school to dedicate time to making her feel better. Or, at least try to. It never worked out that well.

"We need food, Hale," Lilly innocently set her plate into the sink.

She was right, we needed food and money.

"Okay, Lil. I'll get on that today," I responded to her question. I definitely pulled that answer out of my ass.

Levi glanced my way, a concerned expression on his face. He pulled something green from his pocket, holding it out my way.

"Five bucks, for groceries. Milk and bread maybe."

I grabbed the bill, sticking it into my pocket.

"After school today, I'm going to hang out at this study group. My friend Gina asked me to go with her," Levi tried to break the awkward silence that emerged over the topic of groceries and money.

I looked at the clock, almost everyone in the room staring my way, looking at me like i'm their mom and Missy is a stranger.

"Okay, well, have a nice day at school everyone," I said awkwardly yet confidently.

Levi half smiled, leading the kids outside.

I collapsed into a kitchen chair, head in hands. My palms hit my bruises, causing a wave of pain to rush through my face.

"Fuck," I mumbled and stood up, slamming the chair under the table. I quickly grabbed my jacket and left out the back door. I focused on groceries, food for survival. I'm feeding six mouths now, and occasionally Missy.

I sat on a bench outside the grocery store, alone, watching people walk in and out. I knew I could enter the store, but I would have to exit empty-handed.

Money is all I thought about.

As I watched, a familiar brown haired head walked the opposite way. I knew it was Ed immediately by the way he walked and held himself.

I got up off of the bench and rushed over to him, unable to hide my bruises which he helped create.

"Ed, it's me," I frantically spoke, walking behind him. He ignored me, walking to his car.

"Ed," I spoke again, following him desperately.

This time he turned around once he got to his car. His lips tugged downwards into a frown, searching my face slowly with his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Hale," he unlocked his car, throwing the grocery bag inside. His eyes never met mine.

"What did you get?" I tried to take a peek at his bag, but the glare from the morning sun in the window blocked my view.

"Pregnancy test," Ed quickly responded, crossing his arms in front of me.

I did nothing but bite my tongue, flashbacks of yesterday piercing my brain.

"Congratulations," I said happily, ignoring all the upsetting thoughts that flooded my mind.

Ed's finger extended towards my face, the warm skin gently caressing the spot he punched, "I didn't mean to hurt you like this." His eyes were filled with regret as he looked at the bruise.

I was at a loss for words, looking down at my feet now. Words spilled from my mouth without thought, "Do you think you could help us out with groceries? My family?" I was desperate.

Ed dropped his finger from my face and shrugged quickly, responding in a few short words, "Yes, I've got some spare money."

"I have five dollars, but I might go over," I explained and showed him the money from my pocket, when footsteps behind me interrupted our conversation.

"What is this, some kinda family reunion?"

Caspian walked past me so he stood between Ed and I. He looked at Ed, then back at me.

"What the fuck are you two doing here so early?"

Caspian casually lit a cigarette.

"Buying food. This is a grocery store, after all," Ed answered bluntly.

"Don't get smart with me, kid," Caspian scowled.

The lighter Casp was using failed to ignite. He threw the lighter towards Ed's car, but it hit his chest instead.

"Shit is out of liquid."

Ed glared over at Casp, obviously holding back anger. Ed calmly spoke without wincing or fidgeting.

"That was a little unnecessary, don't you think?"

I listened and watched, anxious of what will happen next between the two, like a bad movie.

Caspian held his unlit cigarette in his hand now, turning to face me. He completely blew off Ed's comment.

"Hey, why don't you just come with me, I can buy all your food."

I was looking forward to spending time with Ed, considering what happened yesterday, a little upset Caspian came out of nowhere to ruin it.

Caspian started walking towards the store, expecting me to follow like a lost puppy.

"Go with him, I really don't have any money either," Ed flatly told me.

Ed got into his car while he spoke, an uneasy expression plastered on his face. The pregnancy test through the plastic bag caught my attention from the corner of my eye.

I didn't say anything as I left for the entrance of the store. He lied to me again.

"What the fuck was that, back there?" I pulled Caspian to the side of the store before going inside.

He tucked his cigarette into his pocket, speaking angrily towards me, "You need to stay away from him, he's bad."

I looked at Caspian like he had three eyes.

"If anyone knows Ed here, it's me, and he's—"

Caspian cut me off. "He's bad news."
Casp had no idea what Ed and I went through.

I angrily crossed my arms, staring at Caspian. He smirked at me, slipping his hand around my bicep, tugging me towards the entrance doors.

"Let's get your food, einstein."

I yanked my arm away, following him down the first aisle without his hand gripped around me.

"Are you stalking me or something?" I grabbed a box of rice, still angry.

Caspian laughed and turned the other way, continuing to the end of the aisle, "Why the hell would I do that?"

"Why the hell did you show up as I was talking to Ed?" I quickly snapped back.

Caspian was starting to get annoyed with me. I could tell because he kept running his fingers through his hair, looking around with widened eyes and a bit lip.

"This ain't fucking twenty questions," Caspian grabbed some bagels, swinging them in the air as he spoke.

I shut my lips, carrying some milk and frozen breakfast items to the checkout lane with Caspian a few moments later.

He jipped me in line to buy a lighter, secretly slipping the money in my hand before he left outside. I was grateful we had food, no matter how angry and confused he made me.

Caspian was waiting on a bench, smoking his cigarette from earlier. I sat down next to him, bags on my lap.

"Get lost," he spoke between drags.

I shrugged and sat still, looking at the bags.
"Thanks again, but I'm not a dog."

Caspian didn't respond.

"Alright then, see you later," I stood up to leave, bending over to collect my bags. I walked a few steps down the sidewalk.

"Here," Caspian held a cigarette in my direction, his face still looking forward to avoid me.

Sitting down again, I slipped the cigarette between my lips and Casp lit it for me.

"I'm waiting for Liv," he confessed while he threw his cigarette on the ground, rubbing his eyes with his palms immediately after.

The sun was shining on us, warm rays radiating into my bones. It felt nice to have one warm fall day.

"So, will you tell me why you came up to Ed and I?" I blew smoke from my lips, hoping Casp would answer me this time.

"Don't want him to hurt you."

Casp licked his lips, looking down at the ground.

"Let me see your face," he said quietly to the cement.

I hesitently turned my head towards Casp. He examined my cheekbones, lightly touching the surface of my skin. His fingers smelled like cigarettes and metal.

"You're looking better," he said with a hint of optimism.

I shook my head, inhaling a deep breath, "Don't feel that way."

Liv showed up soon after I got done speaking, her hair in a messy ponytail.

"Hey, Hale," she smiled and waved at me, looking back at Caspian who was sitting and staring into space.

"I'm going home," I promptly said after greeting Liv. I got up off of the bench, smashing my cigarette into the cement, "I have milk in here."

"Stop by tomorrow," Liv smiled at me while Caspian did nothing but glance.

On the walk home, I was happy I had groceries without stealing the money for them. I was, however, confused.

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