A few days have passed and my body has been healing very well. My bruises were gone and my ribs weren't as swollen, so they weren't causing as much pain as they did before. They still aren't fully healed, but the pain wasn't as noticeable.

My mother still hasn't come home, but I'm sure as hell not complaining. I didn't need her coming back and ruining all of the progress my siblings and I have made.

With my body being almost completely healed, I was finally able to return back to work. I haven't been in a while due to my mother and my constant injuries. She knew that my job was our only income, but she believed that since I was working, then she didn't need to. She would just live off of my salary and take money from my savings account to buy herself drugs and alcohol. I was enraged, but because I'm underage, I couldn't really do anything about it.

As of right now, Jace was at home with Liv, babysitting her so I could go into work today. We both knew we needed money, so I tried to pick up as many shifts as I could while my body wasn't in pain. We needed to take advantage of this, because we never know when my mother could come back home. When she comes home, we'll be at square one all over again.

I've been working at Stan's Brewery, a local coffee shop only located a few miles from my house. I've been working there since I was fourteen, because that's when my mother found alcohol for the first time.

The owner of the shop is an older man, Stan, and he somehow saw potential in my fourteen year old self. Stan was a 65 year old man who didn't have any children. He was married to a beautiful woman named Violet, but she sadly passed a few years ago.

When I first started working here, he showed me how to clean the coffee machines, how to make his most popular baked goods, and taught me how to properly talk to customers. We became very close over the past few years and he soon became like a father figure to me. He reminded me so much of my father and we quickly bonded over anything and everything.

I walked into the coffeehouse, hearing a small bell ring above my head as I stepped through the doors. A strong smell of coffee hit my nostrils at full force as I took a deep breath, inhaling the bitter smell. Stan's Brewery was like my second home, it was my one place to escape.

I looked around the coffee shop and stopped when I noticed a little girl running up to her mother who was sitting in one of our booths next to the window. I watched as the mother picked the girl up and sat her down in the booth before laughing at a joke her daughter made. I smiled as I watched the scene unfold in front of me, wishing I had what they had.

I took some time to look around the coffee shop and noticed all the other customers that sat peacefully, in their own little world. I always wondered what their life is like, every person has a different story and I was so curious as to what chapter they were on at this moment.

I continued to study my surroundings and found myself stopping once again, my gaze lingering on an older lady who sat by herself. I wondered what adventures she's lived through and wondered if she was happy with her life. The old woman sipped her black coffee as her shaky hand gripped the book she was reading, occasionally turning the page when her eyes no longer found any words left.

I noticed a couple seated in the corner, their hands outstretched across the table as the young boy softly ran his fingers against the back of her hand, comforting her. I wore a sad smile, knowing I would never experience that type of love.

I never realized how much I missed this place until now. I missed the atmosphere and crowd this coffee shop brought.

I looked around one last time, searching for my boss. It didn't take long for me to find Stan wiping down table number six and straightening the chairs as he picked up the customers leftover trash. I watched as he sprayed more cleaning product onto a rag before wiping it against the dirty table.

I waited for him to notice I was here, and immediately broke out into a smile when he looked in my direction. His chocolate brown eyes widened as a huge smile crawled onto his face.

"Ah! Dakota! There's my favorite seventeen year old. Where have you been sweetheart? I was starting to get worried," he questioned as his wrinkled face contorted with worry. He slowly walked over to me and gave me a small hug. He was so gentle as he wrapped his frail arms around me.

A genuine smile formed on my face as I looked at the caring man standing in front of me. "Hi Stan. I'm so sorry I haven't been able to come in recently. A lot has been happening at home, family problems to put it nicely."

He frowned as he guided me to the back of the shop. "I'm sorry to hear that Dakota. You know you have my number in your phone, so don't be afraid to call me if you need any help. You're like a daughter to me, darling."

I could feel a lump forming in the back of my throat as tears welled up in the corner of my eyes. I wasn't used to this affection so I was surprised when I heard those words fall from his mouth. It was an overwhelming feeling but I felt so...loved. I just nodded my head as I held back the tears. "Thank you Stan, it truly means a lot."

He gave me a small smile that didn't quite reach his eyes then he slowly walked towards a customer who was ready to order.

I stayed in the back as he walked towards the front, quickly changing into my uniform before I clocked in. I washed my hands and put my blonde locks into a high ponytail, pulling out some baby hairs to frame my face.

When I was ready, I took a deep breath and walked over to the front counter where Stan was organizing the pastries in the glass case. I stood in front of the register, politely taking orders from customers as they came and went.

•~•~•~

Hours had passed and it was almost time for the coffee shop to close. Business died down at around 8pm, leaving only a few customers who wanted a late night snack or coffee to avoid unwanted sleep.

A few months ago, a customer once told me why he drank coffee so late at night. He told me, Coffee was the only thing that could keep me awake at night. I didn't want to sleep, I never did. Once I closed my eyes, the nightmares that haunted me everyday would be waiting for me to welcome them with open arms. The nightmares consumed me so I stayed up as late as I could, trying to fight the demons from entering my head and disturbing my sleep.

My heart clenched at his words. The man disappeared once he bought his coffee, and I never saw him again. Although I haven't seen him since, I always wondered how he was doing and if he was ever able to fight off his demons. I related to him on a personal level, and I wish he had stayed a little longer so I could tell him that he didn't have to fight his battles on his own.

I shook my head and continued to wipe down the remaining tables, throwing away trash customers had left me to clean up. Stan sat on a stool behind the counter, reading his novel as his glasses slowly slid down, until it finally rested on the bridge of his nose.

The clock struck 9pm, meaning Stan's Brewery had just closed. Now, it was just me and Stan left in the cafe. 

We swept the checkered floors and stocked up everything so the morning shift would be ready to open tomorrow.

We finished the final touches an hour later, writing the new menu with chalk so we wouldn't forget the next day. After we finished that, it was finally time for us to go home.

"Be safe driving home, darling!" Stan advised as he walked me to my car.

"I will," I promised. He flashed me a quick smile before turning around and walking to his car, which happened to be in the opposite direction from where my car was parked.

I fumbled with my keys before finally unlocking my car. I slowly slid down the seat and rested my head against the cool leather. I closed my eyes for a split second, silently listening to the soft wind as it flew by.

I took a deep breath before slowly opening my eyes. I looked around the parking lot and saw Stan's red corolla drive into the night, disappearing as it got further and further away from me.

I was left alone. No one else was in the parking lot, just me and the darkness surrounding.

I found it peaceful just hearing my short, ragged breaths in my own ears as I sat in the darkness. My head was pounding and I could hear the loud pulse in my ears.

Thump, thump, thump.

I reached into my bag and grabbed some pain reliever, swallowing it dry. I let out a shaky breath before putting the key in the ignition and finally driving off.

•~•~•~

My mothers car wasn't in the driveway when I got home, surprise surprise.

The pain in my head didn't subside, but I knew it would be fine because I got these headaches quite frequently, so I was used to it. I've been getting these headaches more often, probably due to the lack of sleep at night.

I quietly opened the front door, trying to not to wake up anyone just in case my siblings were asleep. I gently pushed on the wooden door and stepped inside the house, immediately hearing the tv playing from the living room.

I set my bag and keys down on a small table beside me before making my way further into the house.

My eyes widened when I stepped into the living room. I was surprised to say the least when I saw Liv and Jace sleeping on top of blankets that were placed around the living floor. Olivia's small snores filled the room as Nickelodeon played in the background.

Jace slept in front of the couch, tightly hugging a pillow as his head rested on another. Liv was only a few inches away, dressed in her Disney princess pajamas with her mouth agape as she held on tight to her blankie.

I quickly put a hand over my mouth, trying to contain the laugh from coming out as I looked at Jace once more. I didn't realize he was wearing a Cinderella dress until he shifted in his sleep, the blanket revealing a light blue dress.

My stomach clenched as I bit my tongue, trying to hold back my laughter. I quickly pulled out my phone from my back pocket and snapped a photo of Jace looking like a pretty, pretty princess in one of Liv's dresses.

While I was at work, some weird shit definitely went down. How the fuck did Liv convince Jace to put on a dress?

I made a mental note to high five Olivia tomorrow morning when she wakes up. I was such a proud older sister, I knew I had taught her well.

As for Jace, he will definitely kill me.

But hey, we all saw this coming sooner or later.

I glanced down at my phone, studying the picture I captured of Jace and decided to put it as my lock screen. Every time I unlocked my phone, I saw Jace wrapped up in a blanket, looking quite peaceful as he slept in his princess dress.

I definitely wasn't expecting to come home to this, but it sure did make my night ten times better.

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HI HI HI HI!!!

This isn't my favorite chapter that I've written but I hope y'all enjoy it!!!

I have already written chapter 10 and I LOVE it so I can't wait to post it!

Let me know what y'all think ;) love you all
-Lauren <3