Jay is my life. He's the first person I think of when I wake up in the morning and the last when I go to sleep. He's the one person, who I can moan to endlessly about my messed up family, but somehow is still interested in what I've got to say. I love him and he loves me. Simple enough right? Well, not when my dad's concerned. The moment he clapped eyes on jay he thought that he was trouble. Even after a year of us dating, dad still won't accept that he's good for me. But no matter what anyone thinks, Jay will always be in my life, and I will always be in his.

I walk down the stairs in my favourite polka-dot dressing gown and fluffy slippers. The shouting from the kitchen woke me up, and by the sound of it, dad and Lauren are having another argument.

"It was only one drink!" I hear Lauren shout

"So one drink made you through up in the sink at three in the mornin'? I don't think so!"

As I slip into the kitchen I see mum, looking fed up, buttering toast for Oscar who's sitting in the high chair playing with his toy truck, and Lauren looking pale as ever leaning against the sink.

"What's with all the racket?" I say, still half asleep.

"Abs just leave it-" I hear Lauren start to say, but is quickly cut off by dad.

"Your sister has been drinkin' again. I walked in from derek's house and found empty bottles of vodka and whisky lyin' on the carpet, with a wasted Lauren hanging over the sink! She's bringin' shame on this family, talk some sense into her Abs!" Dad storms off gripping his briefcase, and rushes out the door slamming it hard.

"God, why do you always have to mess things up Lauren!" I look directly at her, eyes narrowed.

"Abs it has nothing to do with you. Anyway, it was only one drink!" Lauren insists

"Look you two," mum starts "just say sorry to your father when he gets back Lauren, and Abi, don't make things any worse!"

I hear Lauren curse under her breath as she walks out of the kitchen and up the stairs.

"Me?" I look at mum shocked "I didn't do anything, how come Lauren always gets away with everything, and I'm treated like a kid!" I run up the stairs after Lauren, angry. As I walk into our room, I find Lauren lying on her bed, arms and legs stretched out. I shake my head in disgust.

"Lauren what is up with you lately? Have you any idea what damage you're doing to yourself!" I say, whilst pulling over my baggy heart jumper. "It's bad enough dealing with mum's illness, and I don't think I have enough sympathy to worry about you as well!" I step into my jeans, and shimmy into them. A lifeless Lauren still doesn't answer. "God Lauren, can you just answer me!" As I go over to the mirror, stopping to give Lauren a hard nudge, I smear on my lip gloss. "There's no point talking to you, all you ever think about is yourself!" I say, still annoyed that she's ignoring me. I quickly brush through my hair, and chuck my purse and a few other things into a hand bag. I walk out the room and run downstairs.

"Bye mum." I shout, as I shrug on my jacket.

"Bye darling, have a good time!" I hear her shout from the kitchen, just before I step out the door.