Later that night, the five siblings sat on the girls' bed to discuss their days. Lachlan sat with his back against the headboard while Chad had Jasmine in his lap and Gabriella had Imogen. Chad started the conversation. "Locky, I know we saw you at lunch but how did your first day go?"
"It was good, I met some guys in my homeroom: Tom, Blair, Scott and Ricky."
Gabriella smiled, "that's good Bud, how did your classes go?"
"They were alright, I had english, maths, science, drama and gym." The boy turned his attention to his younger sisters. "Jassy, Imi, how was kindy?"
The older more confident girl (Jasmine) grinned. "I made some friends: Katie, Brooke and Sarah, we had fun playing on the play ground."
Gabriella smiled at her younger sister. "That's great Jas." She turned her attention to her youngest sister in her lap. "Imi, did you have fun today."
The little girl nodded. "I played with Jassy and did drawing."
Chad spoke up. "Im, didn't you play with Jassy's friends as well?" The little girl shook her head making her older siblings sigh.
Gabriella twisted the girl to face her. "It's ok to make friends Baby Girl, why didn't you go play with Jassy and her friends?" The little girl shrugged and Gabriella kissed her forehead. "It's ok Im, I didn't really make any friends today either, but promise me that you'll try to make some friends tomorrow."
"Promise Ella."
"Good girl."
Locky spoke up. "G, I think you need to take your own advice as well, you need to make some friends of your own, you can't keep following Chad around forever."
"I'm not following him around, I'm just... slower at making friends than you guys."
Chad spoke up for Gabriella. "Locky, give her a break, at the moment, I don't think I really want her away from me, some of the guys at this school are pigs."
Gabriella nodded, "yeah Troy told me. He said that it would be best to stick with you as much as I can, I don't really like what people are saying."
"Me neither Gabs, especially Hayden, stay away from him for me please."
"You don't have to worry about it Chad, I'm not going to be near your friends unless you're around, except maybe Troy, he was really nice."
Chad and Lachlan smirked at her, the latter responding. "Really nice huh Gabi?"
She shook her head. "Don't start with that, I've barely known the guy a day. He was just nice enough to help me out this morning and it was nice talking to him on the way to chemistry."
Chad narrowed his eyebrows. "What happened this morning?" Gabriella stayed silent. "Gabriella Anne, what happened this morning?"
She sighed, "I just had a run in with one of the girls, it's no big deal." She saw Chad about to argue and shut him down. "Seriously, it's fine, it was at the start of the day and nothing else happened. Troy shut her down before she could do anything so don't worry about it."
Chad sighed in response. "Alright G, I'll leave it alone but if anything else happens, you come straight to me. You've been through enough, we all have."
Gabriella moved to sit between Chad and Lachlan, keeping Imogen in her lap. She wrapped an arm around Chad and kept one arm around Imogen. Lachlan hugged the two girls to him and held onto Jasmine's hand, smiling at the little girl and Chad hugged all of his siblings to him. Gabriella spoke up. "You're right Chad, we've been through so much. I just wish that you guys didn't have to grow up like this."
Lachlan kissed his sister's cheek. "Yeah it sucks G but we can't control it. But regardless of what mom's like, the girls and I are extremely lucky to have you guys. You've raised them really well Gabi and you're the best sister we could have asked for and Chad, you're awesome Big Bro."
Chad fist bumped the boy. "Thank Bud, I'd get you guys out of this situation if I could but I don't like the idea of leaving you guys alone when I go to work so we'll just have to be as careful as we can until I graduate, I'll figure something out guys."
Gabriella squeezed Chad slightly. "We'll figure it out Chad, we'll get them out of this. We graduate next year then we can work enough to be able to find a place and give you guys what you need and the life you deserve."
"But what about college?" Lachlan questioned. "Chad you could be an amazing basketball player, you could be in the NBA and Gabi, you are crazy smart, you could do anything."
The two siblings sighed and Gabriella responded. "College isn't in the cards for us Bud, you and the girls are more important but we're going to do everything we can to make sure you guys can go to college."
"Gabriella's right Locky, as much as I hate that she won't get to go to college, it's more important for us to get you three out of here." He sighed looking at the time. "It's time for bed guys." He kissed his sisters on the forehead. "I love you all."
The twins hugged Chad and Lachlan. "Good night Chad and Locky."
They both responded. "Night girls."
Gabriella kissed both her brothers' cheeks. "Good night guys, love you."
"Love you too G."
She got into bed with the two girls who immediately cuddled into her, either side. "Sweet dreams my girls, I love you so much."
"Love you Ella, good night."