-Flora POV-

Mom is at the hospital delivering a baby. Dad is next to her while Beau and me out in the hall.

"We're getting a little sister!" I smiled.

I was excited getting another sibling.

"Yeah." Beau said, somewhat excited.

"Beau? Are you going back to college?" I asked.

Beau is 19 years old and he already started college and planning to leave after the baby was born. I was only 17, still in high school. I have the best of friends. But I have this friend I trust the most out of anyone in the group, his name is Helia. Also known as the guy I've been crushing on. But he's dating someone. Her name is Krystal, she so nice, she's like a sister to me. I was happy for Helia, but sometimes I would be left out when she's around. But, sometimes she would hang out with me and she would ask me some embarrassing questions. Then Dad came out to call us to see the baby. But he didn't look too happy though.

Beau and I were worried and scared. The thing is Mom passed away after delivering the baby. But the baby is fine though. They're just doing a check up. I hugged Beau and cried. We cried, but Dad was mad and sad. The nurse handed me the baby, she was so cute. Beau and I stopped crying when we looked at the baby.

"Let me see the baby." Dad had a crazed look in his eye.

"No." I hugged the baby tight.

"Let me see my, daughter!" Dad yelled.

"No!" I yelled. "You're gonna do something to her."

Then Dad slapped me. Beau held him back. I held the baby so close and I started to cry. Then the baby was crying but I calmed it down by humming a song to her.

"Dad! Stop it! This isn't like you!" Beau yelled.

"Let me go! I just wanted to see the baby." Dad yelled.

"Not in this state!' Beau holding him back.

"Flora go home! I'll handle dad." Beau ordered.

"But-"

"Just go, I'll be fine." Beau gave me a reassuring smile.

I walked out of the room and we did paperwork and stuff. I named her Rose and went over to Helia's house, who was across from us. I rang the doorbell.

"Hey, Flora! Come in!" Mrs.K smiled.

"No, I'm fine I just came here to ask you a favor." I smiled.

"Just come in." Mrs.K noticed the baby. I handed her the baby as I walked through the door.

"She's such a cutie." Mrs.K cooed.

I smiled, then Helia and Krystal came down.

"Hey, Flora!" They both waved at me. I just smiled.

My eyes were red and puffy and I had a red mark on my cheek. Helia and Krystal noticed it but didn't want to say anything. Krystal just gave me a hug.

"Is this your little sister?" Krystal asked.

I nodded. "Mrs.K can I talk to you in private?" Mrs.K was playing with the baby.

"Yes, of course."

Mrs.K handed the baby to Krystal and we walked over to the kitchen.

"So, what do you want to talk about?"

"Well, this is hard for me but do you think you can watch Rose?"

"What why? Shouldn't your mom take care of her?"

"She passed away after she delivered Rose."

"Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry." Mrs.K hugged me.

I returned the hug.

"But can't you and Beau or your dad take care of her?"

"Can I tell you something, but you can't tell anyone."

She nodded.

"Umm, well... Dad is being somewhat abusive right now. Beau is gonna leave for college after mom's funeral and I don't trust Dad to take care the baby."

"Did he slap you? Is that why you a red mark on your face?"

I nodded. "He had a crazed look are and he wanted the baby, but I didn't let him want and he slapped me." I cried.

"Oh, baby. It's gonna be okay. I'll take care of Rose for you." She smiled.

"Also you can tell Helia and Krystal what happened but can you leave out the dad situation part out." I requested.

"Of course."

I wiped the tears away and put a smile on my face. We both walked out. I picked up Rose and smiled. She was sleeping.

"Hey, Rose," I whispered as I rocked her.

Everyone was smiling. Then, I handed Rose to Mrs.K.

"Take care of her and have a nice day." I kissed Rose on her forehead and I walked out.

Leaving Helia and Krystal were confused.

-Mrs.K POV-

"Mrs.K what did she mean by 'take care of her?'" Krystal asked.

"Um..." I stuttered as I looking at the baby.

I took deep breaths. Krystal and Helia looked at me really worried.

I told them the story well leaving the part with her dad of course.

"Oh my gosh." Krystal covering her mouth and getting a little teary.

"But why can't her brother or her dad take of her." Helia asked

"I can't answer that," I said.

"Why not?" Helia asked.

"Flora didn't tell me." I lied.

Krystal and Helia went up to his room.

-Krystal POV-

'I feel so bad for Flora, she's like a sister to me and she lost her mother. But why did she leave Rose here? There's something she's hiding from us.' I thought.

We walked up to his room and looked out at the window. We saw Flora, she was sad but had a smile on her face. She was playing her guitar. Her window was opened though. I opened the window and we listen to her playing. It was a beautiful melody.

"She always trying to act tough." Helia commented.

"Yeah." I smiled at her.

Flora looked toward our direction and smiled at us. But then her door open slowly and she put her guitar down. She wasn't smiling anymore then she closed the window. Her dad was standing there and started to yell at her.

"What's going on?" I asked worriedly.

Then her dad abuses her.

I gasped.

Helia was just staring there in shock, he didn't know what to do. He was sad and angry. But then her brother came rushing in and pulling back their dad.

"Oh my gosh!" I gasped.

-Flora POV-

As I left the door I saw Beau right there. He gave me a hug.

"So where is she?" Beau asked.

I returned the hug. "She's with them. But Dad gonna find out you know." I said.

"Yeah..." Beau said.

We walked across the street towards home. I went straight to my room. I opened my window and started to play my guitar. A few minutes later I noticed Krystal and Helia and I smiled at them. But then my door started to open, I closed my window and put down my guitar. My dad was standing there looking angry.

"WHY THE HELL YOU GAVE ROSE AWAY!" Dad yelled.

I stand there not even a word came out. Tears started to flow down. Then he started to abuse me. A few seconds later, my brother heard screaming and came rushing into my room.

"WHAT THE HELL DAD!" Beau yelled pulling him away.

"WHAT THE HELL! WHAT THE HELL! SHE GAVE ROSE AWAY!" Dad yelled.

I started to get up but then my dad kicked me.

"STOP IT, DAD!" Beau yelled.

I got up weakly and tears were flowing down my face. I was in pain. 'I didn't know dad can be so abusive.'

"WHAT THE HELL YOU CRYING ABOUT!" Dad yelled at me, trying to get out of Beau's grip.

"Flora get outta here. Pack your stuff and leave." Beau ordered.

"I'm not going anywhere! This place is my home and I'm gonna stay here. Also, dad, you can hurt me if you want but you'll never find out where Rose!" I yelled.

"Flora you're so stubborn," Beau stated

"Let's go, Dad! Or I'll call the police!" Beau yelled.

Dad growled and left the room. But Beau was still standing there.

"Why are you so stubborn. Dad is gonna hurt you every day now and I'm not gonna be here to help you." Beau said.

I know he's going to college and I didn't want him to stay here always protecting me. I want him to have a better life instead of this. I know I'm the second oldest. But I always like to take care of other people than myself.

"I can manage, I'll protect Rose even if it cost my life. Dad will never put a single finger on her." I said.

Beau hugged me. I endure the pain. I was covered in bruises.

"I'll bring dinner up here." Beau smiled.

"Okay." I smiled.

I sighed and looked out at the window. I forgot Helia and Krystal were there, I stood there, then Krystal wrote something down and tell me to open my window. I sighed as I opened the window.

"What!' I shouted.

"Don't what us! We just watched your dad abuse you!' Krystal looked so worried and angry.

I sighed. "Whatever, I don't even care anymore." I grabbed my guitar.

"You don't care anymore! I do! I care about you." Krystal said."Also, i'm sorry about your mom."

"It's fine." I said.

I started to sing a song I wrote.

(I Dare You - Bea Miller)

I can remember a time when I was so afraid
When even my shadow wouldn't follow me

So I-I-I'm picking up my sword
To shatter all the pieces that I was before

Cause I-I-I'm worth fighting for
For, for, for...

So put me in a cage
Lock me in a room
Throw away the key
I dare you

I'll break down the walls
A high heel wrecking ball
And I won't let you tear me down, no

Oh, oh,
Throw away the key
Oh oh
And I won't let you tear me down, no

I had an opinion, but I never spoke my mind
And I wouldn't argue, even when I knew I was right

But I-I-I'm not that girl anymore
Yeah, I lost the battle but I won't the war

Cause I-I-I'm worth fighting for
For, for, for...

So put me in a cage
Lock me in a room
Throw away the key
I dare you

I'll break down the walls
A high heel wrecking ball
And I won't let you tear me down, no

Oh, oh,
Throw away the key, I dare you
Oh, oh,
And I won't let you tear me down, no

I just kept on running, running, running
Trying to find out who I was
But now I would go the distance,
But it wasn't far enough
But now I'm standing straight
And know exactly who I am

Yeah! Yeah!

I can remember a time when I was so afraid

Put me in a cage
Lock me in a room
Throw away the key
I dare you

I'll break down the walls
A high heel wrecking ball
And I won't let you tear me down, no

Oh, oh,
Throw away the key, I dare you
Oh, oh,
And I won't let you tear me down, no

I won't let you tear me down, no,
I won't let you tear me down, no,
Ooh

Then my brother came in with dinner.

"Thanks." I smiled." He smiled at me back and left. I return to the window. "So you two just gonna watch me eat?"

"No, I was about to leave, I need to get something for my sister. Take care." Krystal smiled.

"Say hi to me!" I smiled.

"I will." Krystal kissed Helia on the cheek and left the room.

Helia sighed. "So is this really the life you're gonna have?"

I poked my food. "I-I-I don't know..."

"Your brother is right," Helia stated. "You're so stubborn but you would protect your family and friends.

I didn't know what to say. So I just ate my food slowly.

"How are you gonna explain to our friends and the coaches once they see your bruises."

"I'll just make up an excuse of course," I said, looking at my food.

Helia sighed again. "You would risk your life to protect your sister."

"It's not like I got a choice if I moved in with someone else. My dad will find out and I'll put them in danger."

"Flora, I'm worried about you." Helia looked at me.

I looked at him and smiled. "I'll be fine. Right now I should be worried about the concert I have with the band and the game I have after that.."

"Right you're performing in a few days at the school and there's a soccer game. Are you gonna be okay playing soccer while you're covered in bruises?"

"Of course I will, I mean someone have to win for the team." I smiled.

Helia smiled back.

"Promise one thing." My tone started to get serious. "If I can't be there for Rose, promise me you'll take care of her."

"Of course, but don't talk like that. You'll make it". Helia reassured.

"Well, let's see what the future holds..." I said.