With the way that Courtney showed her fiery personality, people always assumed she hated kids. And she would shock others by claiming she loved them, but she was telling the truth.

Being an only child, Courtney always craved that special attention from a younger sibling, a little kid who would love her and maybe look up to her. So, she was very dissatisfied when her parents had decided Courtney was enough for them, and they wouldn't try for another child. Sure, she loved the one on one consideration, her parents cared for her so much, but there were times Courtney wished what it felt like to get someone else's care and affection.

And boy, would she get more than she bargained for.

Courtney Rivera and her best friend, Bridgette Emerson sat at their usual table for lunch alongside Bridgette's boyfriend, Geoff Jacobs with a few students coming and going.

"Court," Bridgette placed her hand over her friend's so she could look up to see her. Courtney's posture changed by the sudden feel of a cold hand. "Have you finished your job search yet?"

Since Courtney was 17, and a senior, Mr. and Mrs. Rivera found it necessary for their daughter to have a job in order to learn independence and responsibility. The young teen did not like the idea though, she had way too many things going on: homework, student council, debate team, and still having to make time just for friends.

"Not yet, Bridge. I haven't seen any jobs that interest me." Courtney admitted with a huff and a hand running through her thick brown hair.

"Well my parents still have that offer up at their store, if you want." Bridgette offered and gave her friend a small smile before turning to scold Geoff over a stupid comment.

"Thanks Bridgette but I don't think I'll fit in a surf shop," Courtney giggled.

The table was suddenly quiet due to it being bombarded with making out couples, leaving Courtney out as usual. It wasn't that Courtney couldn't get a boyfriend, it's just that she did not want one. She couldn't see fitting a boy into her already hectic life, but it was times like these where she wished, she could have a boy love her.

After school, and after a long student council meeting, Courtney was finally on her way home, exhausted but happy that the day was over. People assumed a straight A student like Court, would love every minute of school, but she hated it as much as everyone else. It was a simple pattern; excel in school, parents are happy, Courtney is happy. That's how it was,

Courtney reached her house and immediately peered to look in the driveway to see which one of her parents were home tonight. Mr. and Mrs. Rivera were both lawyers, meaning one of them was always sleeping at their office working on a case. But in a surprise twist, both of her parents' cars were parked in the garage, this caused a beaming sensation inside Courtney, she had both of her parents with her tonight.

Wiping her dirty boots on the mat, she opened the door widely and was captivated by the aroma of her mother's cooking. Since her father was Hispanic, their house always smelled of hispanic food. Even if her mother was French.

"Hello, mon amour." Mrs. Rivera greeted her daughter with a light kiss on the cheek.

"Bon apres- midi, Maman." Courtney replies back in French. Since her mother was born and raised in France until she was eleven, Mrs. Rivera's first instinct was to teach her only daughter how to speak fluent French.

Courtney placed her backpack on a chair in the dining room and began to remove her coat, "Where's Daddy?" She asks, walking into the kitchen to see if her mother needed help with the food.

"Oh in his study as usual, he got assigned a new case, so I don't think he will be joining us for dinner for about a few weeks." Her mother replied tasting some soup.

Courtney couldn't help but roll her eyes, her father never joined them for anything since he always had some new case to work on, it was almost as if he valued work over family every single time. She sighed in sadness and took her books and bag upstairs to her room.

Courtney's room was as neat as you could imagine, all of her textbooks were organized in alphabetical order in her shelf, as well as pictures of famous females that she looked up to plastered all over her walls.

She had various pictures of bands on her walls as well, but hid them due to all of them being rock bands, to which no one knew about her. Courtney threw her bag on her bed and opened her laptop that her parents gave her last Christmas, she put on background music and called Bridgette on video chat.

The other line rang a couple of times and after a while, finally showed her best friend's grinning face. "Hey Court, what's up?"

Courtney didn't hide her upset face and Bridgette frowned, "Uh oh, who is it this time?" She asked, already knowing there was a problem with her parents. It always was.

"Um it's my dad today, I swear it's like he's married to his work than my mom." Courtney groans as she begins to take out her homework. She hated that she always spilled her family life to Bridgette but that was because there was no one else to talk to.

"I'm sorry, girl. Listen, I have to go help my dad at the surf shop right now, but I'll make it up to you. How about we go to the mall on Saturday and maybe find you a job along with a cute new outfit?" Bridgette suggested which put a small smile on Courtney's face.

She sniffled a little, "Yeah that sounds great, Bridge. I'll see you then."

"Okay good. Love ya Court, to infinity.."

"And beyond, Bridge." Courtney finished their small catchphrase that they have recited since kindergarten.

After a couple of hours of intense studying, a loud knock on her bedroom door snapped Courtney out of her thinking.

"Courtney, I didn't see you at the dinner table. I had to eat by my lonesome." Mrs. Rivera smiled sadly.

Courtney didn't look up from her notes, "I wasn't hungry, Mama."

"Well, I have good news…" Mrs. Rivera began to say but was interrupted by her daughter.

"Did Dad actually unlock the door from his study, so we can act like a normal, loving family for once?" Courtney fired, angrily and scribbled down notes.

Mrs. Rivera coughed uncomfortably by the tone of her daughter's voice, "I know your father and I really commit to our work at times but what do you expect Courtney? We're lawyers, it's our job to overwhelm ourselves with work."

This was the side of her mother that Courtney hated, the one that would teach a lesson rather than talk to her like another human being.

Courtney rolled her eyes, "I know what being a lawyer consists of, Mother! I'm studying to become one because that is the only acceptable career in this family." Mr and Mrs River made it very clear to Courtney had a very young age, that she was expected to become valedictorian as well as attend a brilliant law school.

"Honey," Mrs. Rivera rubbed her forehead, "I don't want to argue with you tonight. Anyways, I know how hard you have been searching for a job, and it just so happens I got off the phone call from an old friend of mine, who says she needs a babysitter for her young daughter."

"A babysitter?" Courtney snorted and shook her head, but nonetheless stopped writing. This may have been something that Courtney has always wanted, a chance of attention from someone younger like a sibling. Sure, the child wouldn't actually be her sibling but it would be nice to experience.

"Now, I know you don't really enjoy the company of younger kids, but she would pay really well." Mrs. Rivera adds making Courtney stop and think. Sure beats working at the dinghy mall.

"Why does she need a babysitter?"

"Well her and her husband are police officers so they do need to work at night at times, and their eldest child cannot watch her due to his own issues. They said they would pay extra if you have to stay at night, plus you are welcome to do your homework on their computers and other things." This sounded like the best job ever to Courtney, and all she had to do was watch a kid. Mrs. Rivera took her daughter's silence and began to shut the door, "I'll take that as a no…"

"Wait, Mom. I'll do it."