thank-you for all the reviews, i am obviously going to treat this subject with respect and sensitivity and i just hope that you enjoy this story :) thank-you to wittykittylizzie for wishing me an early happy birthday and 1 year Fanfiction anniversary and to GallagherGurl4eva for sharing her story with me :')

Chapter Seven: Strong

Cammie

The drive home was silent. The only noise came from outside and the occasional sniffling from my mother. Bex kept shooting me 'talking to me glances' but I ignored her and soon she got my message and used her phone for entertainment. My phone buzzed and I looked at Bex, she decided to look out the window at the same time acting as if she hadn't just texted me. I rolled my eyes and carried on ignoring her. Ignoring everything.

Once we got home though I knew we would all have to speak.

"Is anyone hungry?" asks my mom but she carries on before we can answer. "I'll just make a quick snack for all of you." she walks away and shuts the kitchen door probably so we can't hear her crying.

Bex speaks first. "Why didn't you tell me? Don't ignore me Cammie, I thought we were friends."

"We are," I whisper with a sudden interest in my converse. It's quiet again and you can feel the awkwardness in the air. Although I love Bex and can tolerate Zach I wish that it was just me, mom and Grant. I've got to get used to it, right?

"Why don't we all call it a night yeah? Let's get changed and meet down here for a movie." suggests Grant. We all shrug agreeing and part our separate ways to our rooms.

I know Bex wants to talk but I just get changed quickly and sit on my bed waiting for the right moment to answer all her questions.

Why didn't I tell you? I can't deal with the fact that my dad is dying, 6 months has quickly turned to 2.

How long have I known? Ever since I accidently found the hospital papers and my heart stopped.

Does anyone else know? No way, I tried to hide it from myself too.

When was I going to tell you? The moment you found out or when I'm wondering what I'm supposed to do next.

"Cammie?" she waves her hand in front of my face and I blink. "Please don't look at me like that." she begs.

"Like what?"

"Distant, like you're neither here nor there. I don't like it Cammie."

I don't speak. I just let her wrap her arms around me and pull me in for a bone crunching hug. Bex has never been the gentle kind but I do appreciate the hug, it's exactly what I need right now.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know how, I thought I would be able to keep it forever or until I couldn't hold it anymore."

Bex lets me cry, she doesn't ask any more questions which I'm happy about. She just lets me cry and let out everything that I've bottled up forever.

I've never cried in front of Bex. I've only cried in front of mom, dad and Grant. I hadn't cried in front of Bex because I always thought that she would laugh or tell me to stop being a baby. I've never cried in front of Macey either. She would tell me stop immediately because my mascara is running or my skin is getting blotchy. I didn't cry in front of my friends because they came across so strong, stronger than I could ever be.

But Bex shed a tear and so did Macey. She called round only twenty minutes ago because Bex had texted about my dad. I wanted to be angry at Bex but she only did it because she's my friend. No, she's my bestfriend. They both are.

So after all the crying, sniffling and filling the bin with Kleenex we joined the boys in the living room. Grant and Zach have their eyes glued to the latest action movie and don't even notice when we come in.

Until Bex ruined the whole plot. "Oh Bex! Why'd you have to do that for?" Zach grabs the pillow from beside him and throws it full force at Bex. She stumbles over before standing up straight giving Zach the scariest look ever. He screams (yep screams) and ducks just before a pillow flies over his head. While Zach and Bex pillow fight and Macey rolls on the floor laughing I slip into the kitchen with Grant.

"You feeling a little better?" he asks pouring fives cups of soda.

"I'll be okay."

He stops pouring and does what he does best; he picks me up and spins me around making me smile. Grant's hugs have always been the best and I seriously couldn't have a better older brother. Sure sometimes he can be overprotective, silly and annoying but he's never left me out. If I'm ill he doesn't leave me alone in the house, he lets me play Call of Duty and other dude games with him and I love that.

"Grant, I don't know if I've told you this but you're the best brother ever and I love you to pieces."

He smiles and kisses my forehead. "I love you too sis. We'll be okay, you know. We will."

Grant's right. We will.

~r.e.m.e.m.b.e.r.t.h.a.t.s.u.m.m.e.r~

expect many Cammie & Grant brother sister moments because i love them hehe :P

have a great day!