Despicable Past, Commendable Future

Raiting: Mature... maybe a very strong teen. Nothing that sexual, really, I mean come on... I'm only four-teen years old, but there's swearing. Lots of it, too.

Summary: Not everyone in this world has cruel intentions. Catherine Flynn learned that the hard way.

Disclaimer: sigh I do not own CSI. Or the characters... or the songs I may use... or the blah blah blah! Ruin my day, why don't you!

A/N: Mkay. Catherine's Mom may seem like a total bitch in this story, but hey... bare with me! This is what makes the story good. LOL. And um... yes. Let's pretend Mrs. Grissom's first name is Lydia. And OH! Let's pretend... Gil has a sister!

Catherine's P.O.V

I woke up to the sun filling up my room early in the morning. I stretched and pulled the covers over my head. This was my time. This was the small piece in all 24 hours of the day that was mine. To relax and not have a trouble or worry. But according to my mother and her many boyfriends, that's not the way it worked. I jumped at the sound of a loud crash in the living room. I jumped out of bed and started getting dressed.

"CATHERINE!" I quickly got dressed and went to brush my hair when she busted through my door. "What the hell are you doing?"

"No-nothing. I was just getting dressed."

"Hurry your ass up. You've got work in a few minutes and I'll be damned if you're late today!"

"Mom! Please, can I-"

"Don't even think about asking to stay home. Now, get your lazy ass out there!"

"Can you at least bring me!"

"Bring you? What do I look like? A fucking bus service? Get out there!" I finished getting ready and headed out for work. Sadly, at the age of 16, I worked my more than my own Mother. I stepped outside into the sun. It wasn't even 8 in the morning and it was already burning outside. We live in a small town, so... everyone pretty much knows me here. They don't get surprised when they see me walking the streets to get to work on time.

Half of me is glad I wore a skirt today and the other half isn't. Even though I know all these people that live around me, I don't feel safe. I never have here. I don't know what to expect. I walk into the diner I work at and hang up my light jacket. My co-workers aren't too fond of me. They don't like the idea of a 16 year old working behind the counter.

"Catherine!" I turn around to see my only 'true' friend around here. And you'll never believe, she's only 6 years old. Natalie Grissom. I smiled at her and held my arms open for her to run into them. I picked her up and spun her around.

"How was summer camp, kiddo?"

"It was so much fun!" I smiled down at her and watched as her mother, another good friend of mine, walk through the door. "I made so many friends, but you're still my best friend!" I smiled and hugged her tighter. I put her down and ruffled her hair.

"You are SO lucky you're out of school already." Natalie giggled. She was still hanging on to me when I turned to her mother. "Mrs. Grissom. How was your week?"

"It was great. The weather's permitting me to go outside and-"

"Catherine! Can I see you for a minute?" The manager of the diner leaned over the counter and pointed to me. I apologized to Mrs. Grissom, showed them to their seat, and hurried to meet my boss. She pulled me in the backroom and sat at her small desk. "I pay you to serve customers, not have a conversation with them."

"I'm sorry. I just thought-"

"You thought?" I sighed and looked down at my feet. "Get to work." I nodded and walked back outside. I walked over to Natalie and Mrs. Grissom.

"We didn't get you in trouble, did we dear?"

"Oh no. Of course not!" I smiled and took their orders. I cleaned tables, washed dishes, and walked back and forth to all the tables in the diner all morning. I was beat by the time my break came. I walked out to find to Natalie and Mrs. Grissom still there. I smiled at them and walked outside. I took out my lighter and pack of cigarettes from my pocket. When I heard the door open, I put them back in my pocket. I turned around to meet them. "Hi there."

"Hey Cath!"

"Hey!"

"Oh! I wanted to tell you! My older brother is coming home from college! I want you to meet him!"

"I'd love to." She ran off to her Mother's car and sat in the front seat. I smiled and waved to her. Mrs. Grissom turned to me and smiled.

"She's right, Catherine. We'd love for you to meet Gil."

"Well bring him by sometime."

"I will. And trust me... you two will get along great." I smiled and watched as they drove away.

It was finally time to go home, FINALLY. It was almost 10 at night and I was too tired to walk, but I had to. I was a few minutes away from home when I heard two gun shots. I turned my head and got scared. I took off running, even though my feet wouldn't go as fast as I wanted them to. I tripped over a crack in the sidewalk and hit the ground hard. I got up as fast as I could and finally made it home. I opened the door and shut it too fast.

"Who the-" My mom and her boyfriend, John, walked out into the living room to find me with my back pressed against the door and my eyes shut. She grabbed me by my hair and pulled me away from the door. "What the hell is your problem?"

"Nothing I-"

"Get to bed." She threw me in the direction of my room and laughed as I tripped over the pile of shoes in front of the doorway. I slowly got up. I was pretty sure I broke SOMETHING in my leg from falling down. I limped down the hallway and jumped into the shower. I got out a few minutes later and looked down at my leg. I didn't notice the huge cut running down my leg until I saw it. Blood was dripping down on the floor. I winced as I went to reach for the bottle of alcohol under my sink. I've used this stuff too many times, so I was used to it. Just when I finished cleaning it up, I heard more people walk through the door. Mom always has parties on Saturday night. Big parties. Parties that don't end until the next day, sometimes.

I walked into my room slowly. I hated when people at the parties noticed me. They sometimes made me walk out in front of them so they could 'see how much I grew sense the last time they saw me'. What they really wanted to see was how bad I got hurt this time. But no one noticed me walk into my room. The first thing I saw was my school work and books scattered around on my desk. I smiled and turned on my small lamp light. I was in high school, but Mom thought it'd be best if I dropped out. School was almost over. I wanted to study and become successful. She didn't agree with that. I wanted to finish so I could go to college and get the hell out of here. After a few hours of studying, I finally decided I was going to die if I didn't get any sleep.

A/N: I know, I know! Don't kill me because her mom's a bitch! I promise! She'll find someone who loves her... eventually. XD I hoped you guys found this interesting, because I'd hate to delete this story. I love writing things like this. It's so... fun! But if you guys don't like it, I guess I'll have no other choice. So please. Tell me if you like it so I don't go deteling it! LOL