A/N Warning: Abuse. There are some dark themes.

Enter Anna

Anna Lahote stumbled through the door at 10:30 after a long night at the diner, and all she could think about was going to bed. Taking the 12-hour Sunday shift had to be one of her worst ideas to date. Her feet had gone numb around three.

"You're home late." A voice called from behind her.

Anna spun around with her heart in her throat as a tall dark figure stepped out of the shadows revealing her little brother.

"Axel. You scared me." She breathed with a sigh of relief.

"Sorry." He replied while he took a seat at the kitchen table and propped his feet up on it. "Was the diner busy?"

"Yeah, You know how Sundays are. Pancakes are half off. Who could possibly resist?" Anna laughed as she plopped down at the table and tugged off her boots.

Axel grinned at her in return. She wished he could always just laugh and be a kid. Maybe if Paul hadn't left two years ago he would have had a chance.

"Where is Dad?" she asked, quickly dismissing the thought of their lost childhood.

Axels fist clenched and he glared towards the living room, "Passed out drunk on the couch like usual."

"Did Jane go down alright?" Anna said in an effort to quickly change the subject. Jane had a history of trying to talk a person's ear off when bedtime was mentioned. She would never go to bed if someone didn't make her.

"Yeah. She took a shower and I read to her."

"Thank you, Axel. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You don't have to thank me Anna. I'm her brother and you're her sister. It's both of our jobs to take care of her."

In the moment of silence that followed Anna caught the sound of her father's loud snores. How great it must be for him she thought. His only worry was if he had more beer in the house. He probably wouldn't even bother to go to work if he didn't have to pay for his booze.

"The electricity's out again" Axel said, breaking the silence. She had barely even noticed that the only light in the house was the lantern on the kitchen table. It went out so often she barely even noticed anymore.

"Dad hid his paycheck again, and my mine didn't cover it. Sorry I forgot to tell you."

"It's not your fault, Anna. Your not the Bastard who doesn't give one fuck about his kids." Axel growled. "I'm getting a job. I think there's an opening at the grocery. Are there any openings at the diner? I could bus tables or wash dishes. You shouldn't be the only one who has to work to provide for this family."

Anna sighed knowing that nothing she could say that would persuade him. He was too stubborn. When he got his mind on something he did it. As much as she wanted him to live carefree though, it would be nice to have a little extra income. She was going to have to drop a few shifts with school starting, and senior year was going to be hell, not that it even mattered. She couldn't very well leave for college and abandon Axel and Jane, and even if she could it's not like they had and money to pay for it.

"Fine I'll ask Sue at work tomorrow. It's almost Eleven now Axel. You better get to bed. Big day tomorrow." Anna stood up intending to make her way to the stairs.

"Yeah." He said with a roll of his eyes, "First day of High School. I'm shaking with anticipation."

"I'm serious Axel. You're growing up! Stop being such a grump."

"Yeah whatever." He stood up from the table also and brushed past her to the stairs.

Anna watched his retreating form with a frown on her face. Maybe it was just nerves that were causing Axel's increasingly bad moods. Just last week he had been all revved up about his first day in high school.

"Wake Up! Time to get ready for school!" Anna yelled as she banged on Axel's door.

"Can I go wake him up Anna, please, please, can I!" Jane begged, jumping up and down, her curls bouncing right along with her.

Anna smiled down at her sister and opened the door. "Have at em'"

Jane ran in and started jumping on Axel's bed, "Wake up! Wake Up Wake- Ahh, no!" She screamed and giggled as Axel pulled her down and started tickling her.

"Come on guys breakfast time! We are not going to be late on the first day."

They all made their way downstairs with smiles on their faces. Anna pulled out the lone box of cereal and poured them each a small bowl of dry cheerios. She caught the looks of disappointment on their faces, even though they tried well to hide them. She'd have to ask Sue for her paycheck early.

"Do I have to go to school?" Jane whined through a mouthful of cheerios.

"Don't talk with your mouth full, Jane. I thought you were excited for school."

Jane finished chewing and then started to talk " I was excited, but then Tammy said that third grade was way harder than second grade. I thought second grade was hard!"

Anna and Axel shared a grin. They found Jane's flare for dramatics highly entertaining.

Axel patted Jane on the back. "Don't worry Janie, Third grade really isn't that bad"

Before another word could be said their father stumbled into the kitchen, effectively halting conversation. Jane's shaking hand found Anna's. Anna scooted closer to her, trying to hide Jane from their fathers view.

"Where's all the food." Their father said with a scowl.

"We're out." Anna replied her eyes on the table.

"Why didn't you go to the store then."

"I didn't have time last night. I had the late shift at the diner. I'll go-"

"You little bitch. I don't ask for a lot!" he screamed, flying into one of his rages. "You aren't the only person with a job around here. I work to keep a roof over your disrespectful heads!" He leaned down towards Anna, his rotten breath washing over her face.

"I expect there to be food in this house when I get home." He stormed out the door slamming it behind him for good measure.

Anna broke the following silence. "Hazel's is going to be here in a few minutes to take us to school. Go brush your teeth and get your bags."

Hazel, Anna's best friend, had agreed to transport them to and from school since Anna didn't have a car.

5 minutes later they were are crammed into Hazel's little red 1990 Honda Civic hatchback as she chatted their ears off. Driving with Hazel was always scary considering that she was easily distracted and the car had a manual shift.

"I'm so excited!" Hazel yelled, overcome with delight. "Oh my gosh, Axel, you're in high school! My little baby is growing up."

"Turn here!" Anna screamed as they almost passed the elementary school entrance.

"Sorry. Sorry. I didn't see it." Hazel muttered as they pulled in.

"Be good Jane." Anna yelled from the car as her tiny sister walked into school.

"I will. I promise" Jane called with a wave

"We'll be here to pick you up after school baby. I love you!"

"I love you too!"

"She is so adorable!" Hazel squealed, " Can I steal her please?"

"Come on Hazel. We're gonna be late." Axel urged from the back.

"I'm going. I'm going. Calm down. It's like 5 minutes away."

"I'm gonna go talk to my friends, Anna"

"Ok Axel, please be good. Meet by the car right after the bell so we can go pick up Jane." She answered

"I'll try." He replied pulling her into a hug.

"And stay away from them Axel. I know some of your friends joined up with them but that doesn't mean you need to."

"I hate them just as much as you do, and I would never abandon you guys."

"Promise me you'll stay away from them."

"I promise." Axel said as he pulled away from the hug, "You stay away from them too."

She glared over at the group of giant laughing teenage boys "I will. I promise."

A/N: Thanks for reading! I am currently rewriting this story since it was in desperate need of editing. I hope you like it. Reviews are much appreciated :)