So Alex and Max live in a household where Justin is idolized. Everything revolves around him. But what happens when he finds out his chance at the Russo family magic is jeopardized?

Alex's POV

I let out a groan as my alarm clock broke through my painful sleep. No, please just five more minutes, please? I thought hopefully. But I thought better of it when I thought of what would happen to me if I overslept or let my alarm clock run. I reluctantly threw my covers off of me, sat up in bed, and took in my bleak surroundings.

My room was pretty barren. A thin blue carpet covered my floor with only a bed, a desk, and chair resting upon it. My room had all but one window with a sad excuse of a curtain blocking out the city lights. I got up and walked over to the closet, knocking a piece of pealing wallpaper off in the process. I let out a small sigh. I really need to get this fixed.

I scoffed. Yeah, like that'll ever happen. I don't have the money and neither Dad nor Mom would ever give me the money. I scoured through my minuscule closet and settled for black leggings, a red and cream tie-dye dress that came to just above my knees, and a red shirt under that and headed down stairs.

I threw my backpack over by the door and went to the stove to start breakfast for my dear parents along with their eldest whom I all love deeply. I chuckled at my own sarcasm. Sad, I know, but what else are you supposed to do at 6:00 am? I started at the sound of footsteps coming down our metal staircase.

"Alex?" I heard a sleepy and tired Max ask. I let out a sigh of relief.

"Yeah, Max?" I answered him worriedly, fearing he had had an early morning run-in with one of our parents. They weren't good people, but they were even worse morning people.

"Just making sure it was you. Do you need any help?" he asked.

"Sure," I said, enjoying the company. "What do you think we should make?" I asked, undecided.

"Well, I suggest," he said thinking for a moment, "that we make Justin's favorite. Mom and Dad would want him to be happiest."

My face darkened at the mention of my older brother's name. For some unknown reason to me, my parents decided to idolize their eldest child. One would think it was because he was their first-born, but I knew that wasn't it. He wasn't their favorite in the beginning... I still remembered that night like it was yesterday.

CLANG!

Uh-oh, I thought, Dad's gonna be so mad at me! I looked around me to see Mom's favorite vase lying in pieces all over the floor.

"Alex!" Dad yelled shocked, "Don't move, you might cut your feet!" He made his way over to me and picked me up and placed me on the couch. I watched, feeling guilty, as he cleaned up the debris of my accident. He came over and sat in front of me.

"Alex, I want you tell me the truth, did you use magic to break that lamp?" he asked in a deadly calm voice. I stared into his eyes not being able to look away. I had to come with a believable lie and fast. I had never lied to him before. He didn't like when you lied, that's when he got physical. He didn't like to do it, I could tell, but absolutely despised lying. I had seen Justin do it a few times. He only got a slap on the face, but I could tell it hurt. I went with the first lie my seven-year-old brain could come up with.

"No, I was rushing over here to turn on my favorite T.V. show. I ran a little to fast and bumped into the shelf," I liked easily. Of course that wasn't what really happened. The truth was I was practicing magic, without my Dad's consent, of course. But that was worse than lying. He hated the misuse of magic, or magic he didn't know about.

"Show me the show," he said, nit completely trusting me. I got up and turned on the television. I turned on the first channel I could think of, Nickelodeon. I hoped to God that there was something new on. I guess God wasn't listening that day. He had seen this episode of Sponge Bob one too many times. I new I was in trouble. He kneeled in front of me again.

"Alex, you lied to me," he told me, looking right into my eyes. Tears started forming in my eyes.

"I'm sorry Daddy, I didn't mean to," I sobbed. But it was too late; I had to be punished. The slap came as a surprise to me, it was light, but it still shocked me into silence. I had seen him do this with my older brother. But it was normally followed by a stern, "Don't do it again!" and then he stopped. I could always tell he didn't like doing it, but thought it was necessary. But this time it was different, this time it seemed like he enjoyed it. He liked seeing me in pain. Each slap was followed by another more painful slap. Soon I was on the floor crying out with each kick to the stomach. He was careful though. He made sure to kick me hard, but not hard enough to cause me any real damage. I had a cut above my eyebrow from his fist that was bleeding onto the carpet.

I guess Justin had heard me crying and had come down stairs from his room.

"Dad!" he screamed and took a step closer. Dad gave him a murderous look. Justin looked from me, back to dad, back to me again. I guess he thought that could easily be him on the floor.

"Nothing," he said, "Its just, she's bleeding on the carpet, what if someone walked in hear and asked about the blood stains?" I stared at him, my eyes filled with pain and betrayal. How could he say that? I thought dimly through the pain.

"Excellent point, son," Dad mumbled and left the room. Justin ran over to me as soon as he left.

"Alex," he started as he reached down to touch my shoulder, but I cut him off.

"Don't touch me." I said quietly. He sat there, shocked. When he didn't move I figured he hadn't gotten the message. "Get away from me!" I screamed as I started to stand up. I could tell he wanted to help me but was scared I would lash out again. I slowly struggled into a standing position, ignoring the tremendous pain I was in.

"Alex," he started again, but I wouldn't let him finish.

"Shut up!" I said, "I don't want to talk to you." And with that I slowly headed to the upstairs bathroom, but now before I saw a tear sliding down his cheek. But I didn't care, he hurt me in a way that he could never make amends to.

I reached the bathroom door and entered, closing it behind me and locking it. I slid down the wall farthest from the door and started bawling my eyes out. After that day my life became a living Hell.

"Alex," pulled me out of my reminiscence of the past.

"Huh, what?" I said, turning to look at Max. He looked at me, concern in his eyes.

"Are you okay? I said your name like three times..." he trailed off, continuing to search for Justin's favorite things in the cupboard.

"Yeah, I was just thinking," I replied, turning on the burners and breaking eggs into a pan. They were having omelets this morning.

"About what?" he pushed, handing me cheese and green pepper in the process. I let out a huge sigh.

"Nothing, Max, nothing." He nodded and went to sit on the couch while I finished the omelets; he had gotten his answer. It was either the unmentionable subject or I was thinking about the day this all started for me. He knew it was better to leave me alone when I was thinking about either.

Just as I was flipping the omelets I heard heavy footsteps coming from up stairs. I jumped a little as I heard someone who sounded a lot like Dad stumble on something and fall into the wall. I just hoped it wasn't my fault. It was almost nearly always "my fault" along with Max. I could tell Max was thinking the same thing because he came over to stand next to me. Whatever it was, we always found it best for us to be together, sometimes, the other could calm down the parent doing harm, if you're lucky.

"Alex, do you want me to take over the omelets while you set the table?" asked Max, making a grab for the spatula and pan.

"Sure." I checked the time again. Six thirty, I thought, perfect timing. I went to the cupboard and got out three plates along with three glasses and spread them out on the table.

"Max!" was heard from the top of the stairs. I exchanged a look with Max. I made to ask him a question but then I saw my father lumbering down the stairs. He was still a little groggy from sleep. I was surprised he was up this early; he normally didn't wake up until we left for school.

"Yes, Dad?" Max answered, not looking into his eyes.

"Max, don't look so afraid, I'm not going to hurt you. I was just wondering if you were awake," he said in mock sweetness. I scoffed at that. Max's fear was not an irrational one; he had plenty to fear. At the sound of my laughter dad turned his head around to stare at me.

"What do you think your smiling about?" he asked me as he sauntered over to where I stood. I stared right back into his cold eyes. I tried to hide the fact that my whole body was shaking like a leaf, but of course he noticed. He gave me an evil smile.

"You're pathetic," he told me through a laugh. I looked away from him. He told me things like this everyday, as well as to Max, but it still made feel like I was worthless.

"Go, eat before you have to go to school. You too Max!" he shouted to Max who was watching intently. I went over to the cabinet and got out two cereal bowls and Fruit Loops.

"Are you okay, Alex?" he whispered to me.

"Yeah," I assured him. Truthfully, I was not okay. I was never okay. Living in a house with two parents that hate you and take out their aggression on you wasn't easy. I hated living here and couldn't wait to get out of the house. My one true fear was that I would never escape this place; that I would live my life out serving my parents until they died. I don't know what I would do if that happened. Max and I sat down at the island and ate our breakfast.

"Good morning, Dad!" greeted Justin. I gave him a death glare, as did Max.

"Hello, Son," returned Dad. Justin sat down at the table and grabbed an omelet that I made.

"Thanks, Alex; they're really good," he said, toasting the thanks with a piece of speared omelet. I made an evil face at him, which kind of made him embarrassed. He's told me numerous times that the doesn't agree with our parents' actions. But that doesn't change the fact that my father does unspeakable things to me and puts me through Hell everyday. He's a coward for being a bystander in this whole situation, and for that, I'll never forgive him.

I placed my dish in the sink and waited patiently by the table until I was allowed to ask a question. After Dad finished chewing he decided to acknowledge my presence. He turned towards me expectantly.

"May I go to school early?" I asked, a little nervous. "My teachers asked me to show up early." Of course I was making it up, I just wanted to get out of his presence.

"Sure, go ahead," he said, giving me a not so nice smile. Relief flooded over me. "I'll just have Max do the dishes." I gave a sympathetic glance to Max then made to leave.

"Wait!" Dad said, "Justin will go with you. Wouldn't want you running off would I?" I glared at him then said to Justin, "Fine, common on Justin." he got up and followed me out.

AN.

Okay, this was my first fanfic ever so tell me what you think! Remember, more reviews means I will update faster. But I do have school so... Anyway, R&R!