Chapter 5

"You stupid bitch, stop drinking and look at me!" I watched my step-dad yell at my mom. She just kept on drinking. "You worthless piece of shit!" He slapped my mom across the face but she never gave him the satisfaction looking hurt.

"Stop it!" I screamed my tiny fists pounding against his leg. His hand came around and grabbed me by my collar and threw me against the wall.

I jolted into a sitting position on my bed, breathing short ragged breaths. Beads of cold sweat dripped lazily down my skin. The last time I had, had that nightmare. Jack, Angel and Jerry had been at some overnight thing that mom wanted them to go to, leaving mom, Bobby, and me at home. I was so scared that I didn't want mom to find out, she would worry and then she wouldn't get any rest. So I did the next best thing I could think of, I went into Bobby's room only to find him sleeping.

Shaking I walked in and sat on the floor by his bed tapping his shoulder. "What the fuck go to bed." He mumbled obviously asleep still.

"Bobby I had a really bad dream." I said on the verge of tears. Bobby sat u and faced me I could see he was concerned. He motioned for me to sit on his bed; as soon as I did he wrapped his arms around me protectively. I ended u sleeping him that night. After that Bobby and I were closer than we ever were. I wasn't scared of him anymore.

Two years ago he left he promised he would visit but he hasn't yet. Jerry had gotten serious about Camille he was planning on asking her to marry him. He moved out and now works for the union he's really passionate about his work. Angel was leaving today, we was going to join the armed forces. I didn't want him to leave I was sixteen and I only had two brothers close to talk to. Mom was sad but happy at the same time her boys were growing up.

"Angel don't go. You'll end up like Bobby and never come back." I said in a low hush tone. We in his room, he was packing and I was leaning against the wall.

"Cheer up baby girl. I'll be back for holidays and in four years I'll be back for good." I wasn't persuaded. He finished packing in silence; once he was done he wrapped his arms around me and gave one of his famous bear hugs. "Besides you still have Jackie." I frowned it was true but he graduates next year, and I knew he would leave me to try his luck in the music world.

"Yeah your right." I said putting on one of make fake smiles. The only one that could see through those smiles was Jack.

"Well I gotta go." He gave me another hug then walked downstairs. I sat on the top step listening to mom telling Angel of how proud she was until they both came into view again. Mom stood at the door while Angel left.

"You ok?" I jumped, I didn't even hear jack come up behind me. I nodded to all truth I haven't really spoken to Jack in while. I guess it was due to the fact that my friends and most of the female population at school thought he was a total hottie.

"Riles is something wrong?" I looked at Jack how could I tell him that while my friends kept telling me how cute he was, that I already knew. I mean that can't be good he's my brother and I find him attractive.

"Nope just thinking." He sat down beside me. I could tell he was thinking about something too.

"You know after you graduate my band and me are going to become known. Right?"

"Yea I know. I've known for awhile." I answered mom had went back into the kitchen. "Jack just promise me that when you do leave that you come back."

"I will. Nothing could keep me away from my baby sis." I smiled, a true smile.

Jack's Graduation

Just like all of the other boys mom cried as Jack walked across the stage and received his diploma, and just like the other boys I thought he looked ridiculous in his cap and gown. Though I didn't laugh like I did for the others I mean this was Jack we're talking about.

"Oh doesn't he look perfect. Riley come over here so I can get a picture of you and your brother." I smiled and did as I was told. Mom took like a million pictures.

"Come on mom lets go home. We're hungry." Jack said laughing, both us were tired of taking pictures I could only wait till it was my turn.

True to his word Jack stayed around for my graduation. Sitting in my seat I waited for my name to be called. I constantly peered into the crowd to find mom and Jack. They were the only thing keeping me from being coming nervous that I would never receive my diploma. Finally my name was called and I walked across the stage. I shook the principle's hand and returned to my seat until the ceremony was over.

"Tell me I did not look as goofy as you in my cap and gown." Jack asked laughing. I smacked him and told him to shut up.

"Oh will you two stop it. Come on I want some pictures." Both jack and I laughed but stood still long enough to take the pictures that mom wanted.

Next Day

"Jack wake up!" I shouted and jumped on his bed. I laughed as I received a groan from underneath me.

"Aren't you a little bit old for that?" Jack asked still half asleep. I laughed.

"The day I'm older than you is the day I'll be to old to do this." I said sticking my tongue out at him. He tried to suppress laughter but when it came to me, well I could make him laugh even when he was having one of his over depressed days.

"Riles…"

"Yeah?"

"Your crushing me." I burst out laughing but hopped off him anyway.

"You know Jer is coming over today he's bringing Daniela with him. Camille staying home with Amelia , poor little girl is as sick as a dog." I said sitting next to Jack. He sat up and was about to say something when we heard the front door from downstairs open and the next thing we knew a four year old girl came tumbling into our room.

"Auntie Riley!" she squealed. I smiled and opened my arms for bumbling buddle of energy to fall into my arms. "Hi Uncle Jackie!"

"Hey squirt." Jack said ruffling with her hair something he had down a lot with me. But then again all our older brothers did it to both of us.

"Auntie Riley can you pway me ah song on your viowin?" Daniela asked begging. I couldn't say no to such a cute girl. I looked over to my side of the room looking for my violin then I thought for a moment.

"Only if Jackie here can play along with his guitar." Daniela nodded just wanting to here a song. Jack grabbed his guitar from the side of his bed and I went and got my violin. I started the song waiting for Jack to realize the song before me joined in. (The song they played is called Shadow of a doubt. From Escaflowne.) The song was the first song that Jack and I learned how to play together. I found that I was smiling at Jack. But then I felt a pang in my chest, reality hitting, Jack was leaving me to in a week.