Usually, school was a haven for children who had the experiences of Lydia and Esther. It was a chance to take on a new persona, and to attain the attention they craved. Esther was given that chance, but Lydia had to relinquish it to reality.

Lydia had dropped out of school when it was legal. At 16, she abandoned the haven of learning for a full time job. Her parents weren't bringing any money home, so it as up to her to pay the bills. Electricity, taxes, heating…she had to pay for it all. The little she had left she saved in a jar, hidden under a floor board beneath the ratty mattress.

By the time Esther had woken up, Lydia was already dressed for work, the standard McDonald's uniform adorning her in all its red-white glory. Tessie rubbed her eyes groggily, and Lydia approached the edge of the mattress.

"School time, Tessie. Wake up." She gently called.

"I'm awake…" She groaned, flipping over so that her back was to Lydia.

The older girl sighed. She might as well give her a few more minutes in bed.

She glanced about at the sparse room, with its tattered, peeling wallpaper and its unwelcoming aura. Her eyes came to a stop on the pile of rumpled clothes in the corner. They didn't have a closet, so the dirty floor was the next best storage space.

Lydia strode over and knelt down beside the bland mound of polyester. She didn't make enough money to buy colors. She didn't make enough money to buy happiness. She knew Esther hated the worn clothes, but neither of them really had a choice.

From within the pile of gray, she withdrew a colorless sweater, the words once imprinted on it long gone, and a pair of oversized jeans. Today was Monday, so there would be no new underwear. They didn't do the laundry until Saturday.

She stood, the clothes in her arms, and laid the down on the edge of the makeshift bed. She tried to smooth out some of the wrinkles, although most effort was in vain.

She reached over and touched Esther's shoulder. The little girl recoiled violently, and Lydia snatched her hand away.

"Tessie…it's just me."

She had forgotten the number one rule when dealing with Esther: No touching unless Esther wanted to be touched.

At the sound of her big sister's voice, Esther relaxed slowly and turned back around. She sat up, tossing her head with ornery determination. She hated school, but then again, so did all little kids. Lydia swept her hand over the clothes.

"Your wardrobe today, princess."

"I don't wanna wear it…it's all gross."

Lydia sighed, and jerked the sweater up.

"This nice and warm, and it's going to be cold later."

Esther crossed her arms over her chest.

"No!"

Lydia raised an eyebrow, quelling the rising anger. Even though she loved Tessie with all her heart, she couldn't deny that sometimes, Esther was a selfish brat.

"I'm going to count to three…One…two…"

Before she hit three, Esther snatched the clothes up, glaring with all the force her ten year old heart could muster. Lydia returned the nasty look with a syrupy sweet smile.

"Good."