*1 week later*

After our date, Nate and I have been getting closer. I still don't know exactly what we are, in terms of labels, but I am perfectly content with my current situation.

Nate's been amazing. He insists on opening every door, carrying my books, and the few times we've hung out after school he always pays, even if it's 'my turn'. Really, he's been acting the same way he did on our first 'date' and I am loving it!

He's also been hanging out with my siblings a ton too, especially Wyatt. They have really bonded and Nate has helped him improve his football so much. Tryouts are next week and I'm so excited but really nervous for him. Those varsity guys are really big, but Nate told me he won't let anything happen to him.

All my siblings really love him.

If I'm being honest, I'm starting to too.

But, I can't think about that, especially since he's been asking more questions recently.

My uncle's abuse hasn't gotten any better and Nate is starting to notice something is up. He questions every bruise I come to school with and always inspects whatever major injuries I have. I assume he knows my lies about 'being clumsy' and 'running into the door' are fake, but he hasn't said anything yet.

Wyatt is NOT helping in that department. Every time I tell a lie about the abuse, he just glares at me and when we are alone tells me off about it. It's getting harder, but I am still able to keep him in his room when it usually goes down. I've found the best way is to guilt him by saying 'Katie needs you' or ' you have to protect Dylan'. Sure he's protective of me, but he's a lot more of the little ones, so that usually works. I'm hoping to be able to still keep everything a secret from Nathan but since he's coming around more it's getting harder.

Since that first day, now every Monday and Friday, the days my uncle doesn't come home, Nathan comes over. It's my favorite part of the week. Usually him and Wyatt cook, then we all watch a movie or two together. After every night, he gives me a kiss on the forehead and we text later on for a little while.

Girl you are FALLLINGGGGG

________________________

It's now right after school on Friday, and Nate, my siblings, and I are all talking about our weekend plans.

"Lainey, I was wondering if I could spend the night at Rian's tonight? I'll be home tomorrow morning, because his family has some brunch thing he has to go to." Wyatt asks me.

"Ya, that's fine Wy. I had to pick up a double for tomorrow so why don't you just come by the diner whenever you are through. I was planning on having you, Katie, and Dylan just sit at one of the tables if that's ok. I know it's not the most ideal Saturday, but it would help me out a lot to not have to find a sitter. " They all give me a nod and then I hear Nathan's voice.

"I could take them for a little while. I'm not doing anything and it would let them run some steam off before chilling at the Diner. We could go see a movie and go back to the diner after lunch." He says to me.

"Oh, no. I couldn't ask you to do that, I'm sure you have a lot of better things to do on a Saturday. The kids will be fine sitting at the diner." I say quickly, not wanting to be a bother to him incase he decides we are too much to handle.

"it's fine, really. I have absolutely no plans and I love hanging out with these three. Please? It would give me something to do. If I'm home, I'll just end up sitting around and eating a bunch of junk food. You're really the one doing me a favor because I cannot afford to do that with tryouts this close." He whines, looking at me with pleading eyes. I let out a small chuckle and agree.

"Perfect, I'll pick Wyatt up from his friends house, get the twins from the diner, and then we can head to the theaters. We'll have so much fun, nothing to worry about." He says with a smile.

I can already see my siblings with beaming grins, clearly very excited, so I just nod my head in approval. I see Wyatt's friend, Rian, walk over and figure he is going to be leaving soon.

"Hey Wy, Rian is here. Hold on a sec and I'll give you some cash for whatever ruckus you boys are going to cause tonight. Did you pack a bag already or should I drop one off?" I ask, reaching into my backpack for the small coin purse of money.

Money is pretty tight right now because I've had to take a shift cut, due to school. Not that I would ever tell my siblings that, so I make sure to save part of my tips for spending money for them. The rest usually goes to helping the rent or groceries or whatever.

"No Laine, that's alright. I have some money at home that I saved up. And, no I didn't pack a bag, but I'll just stop home really fast. Plus, then I can grab the money." Wyatt says, making me frown. I know he knows money is a bit of an issue, especially with me working more double shifts, but I promised him we would always have enough to do fun things.

"One, you don't need to use your own money, I have plenty for you." I say, only slightly lying. "And two, I'll drop your bag off later. You know I don't want you in the house alone and I need to take the twins to their soccer practice right now."

"Lainey, it's Friday. He's not home, I'll be fine. And I have my own money so let me use it!" He says with frustration. "I'll text you tomorrow, Nate, whenever I'm done. Gotta run now. Love y'all." He runs off, not giving me a chance to argue with him.

That kid is going to be the death of me!

I watch him get in to Rian's mom's car and then drive off.

Please don't me dumb Wy.

I'm broken from my stare when I hear Nathan clear his throat and ask me a question I so didn't want to answer.

"Why is it a big deal if he's home alone? I don't mean to be judging your 'parenting' but it's not like he can really throw a party in the hour it will take us to get there." Nate says to me.

Oh, if only he knew what all could happen in an hour at that house.

I let out a small shudder thinking about it, and then turn to him to answer.

"Come on, you know teenagers. They could make a heck of a mess in one hour." I say with a fake laugh.

"Come on now twins, we need to get y'all to practice before we are late. See you later tonight Nathan." I reply, walking off with the twins.

Hopefully he believed my awful lie. I have never been good at lying, which doesn't really work well in my situation, but it's not my fault. My parents always taught us that "lying is the same as throwing away a relationship because without trust you don't have anything." And that is exactly why I cannot get into a relationship with Nathan.

Oh, but how I wish things were different.

______________________

After Lainey told me she was working a double shift, I knew exactly why. My ass of an uncle isn't so great at actually paying the bills and so Lainey picks up the slack most of the time. She tries to hide it from us, but I know how tight the money is right now. Even so, anytime one of us goes somewhere, she always give us some for the 'ruckus we are going to cause.'

Frankly, that just makes me more mad because she's so kind and definitely does not deserve to have to take care of us like this. I can see how hard the long hours are on her. I mean, she wakes up at 2:00 a.m. every morning, goes to work until 7:00, gets us, goes to school, and doesn't go to bed until around 10:00 p.m. every night. She never really gets a break, since she insists on taking the non-school days as extra work days. That's why there was no way I was taking that money from her.

After seeing how hard she worked, I decided to start stealing money from my Uncle. It's just a little bit here and there; not enough for him to notice, but enough that saving it could amount to a lot. I've been doing it for about 6 months now and haven't been caught.

Considering that he is drunk almost 24/7 I would imagine he can't even see straight enough to count the bills. I know I can never tell Lainey any of this because she would make me stop. She thinks it's her responsibility to do everything for us and won't ever let me help her.

After walking into my house and packing a bag, I head into my Uncle's room. Making sure he's not there, I walk in and go to the closet where he keeps his money. Since, I'm more pissed off after knowing Lainey is going to have to work another double, I decide to take $200.

There's no way he will notice. He probably doesn't even check this stash.

Nodding my head at my own thoughts, I head out of the house and back into Rian's car.

I can't wait for tomorrow with Nathan, we haven't been to the movies in forever. Deciding that I'll save some of the money to use tomorrow, I slip it into my backpack on the floor. I never actually feel guilty about taking the money. He's supposed to provide for us anyways, so I figure it should already be considered my money.

Can't get in trouble for taking something that belongs to you, right?