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-'ˏ Margo's Pov ˎ'-

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Margaret Henderson's House

Tuesday , 11:30 p.m

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Softly shutting the door behind me, I tried making my way to my room quietly. Smiling to myself as I went because I was happy that Billy was finally getting away from Neil.

"Margaret." My mother said with a hand on her hip angrily as she leaned against the doorframe that led to the living room. "It's 11:30." She stated.

I stood there blankly. She's never home by this time and if she is, she would have already went to bed.

"I know." I told her lamely.

"Where were you. You are suppose to watch Dustin."

"He's not my kid." I muttered to myself.

"Speak up Margaret. You know I can't hear you."

"Mom. I babysit Dustin all the time. He's 14 and I have my own life. He doesn't need a full time babysitter anymore."

"He does too he's just a chil-"

"Mom I'M just a child." I told her in frustration. "You haven't even been home enough to see what goes on. Did you know dad showed up to our house? No you wouldn't because you're never home!" I said stomping past her to my room. I slammed the door angrily behind me before there was a soft knock at the door. I ignored it hoping they would go away.

Eventually it softly creaked open and Dustin's face popped through the small space.

"Can I come in?"

I nodded at him before flopping back onto my bed.

After shutting the door behind him he crawled onto my bed and placed himself in my arms like a toddler would. I hugged him back and ran my hand through his curls.

"What's up?" I asked him.

He was silent for a moment before whispering "Sometimes I just wish she wasn't home".

I frowned at him. "I know what you mean."

"I miss having happy moments with her. After dad left she's always mad." He told me sadly.

I shook my head at him in agreement. Waiting for him to tell me about the other thing that was so clearly bothering him.

"I found this thing.." He started unsurely.

"Oh yeah? What is it?" I said turning more to the side to give him my full attention.

"It's uh well nothing really." He said nervously. "It's kind of like a pollywog but it doesn't like sunlight." He whispered.

"Maybe it does and you're just killing it?" I said as I held back a laugh.

He cracked a small smile at me before muttering about how I was wrong.

"Well whatever scientific discovery you have made. I always have your back." I told him before leaning over to kiss his forehead. "I love you dustybuns." I said jokingly.

He lightly shoved me before falling back onto my bed. "Yeah I love you too Margo."

We continued to lay there until Dustin had fell asleep. His light snores echoing across the room. Sure it was annoying, but I sat there silently enjoying one of the last few happy moments I'd have with my brother.

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I woke up and slowly got off the bed so I wouldn't wake Dustin. His one arm was hanging off the bed and his mouth was open causing me to snicker before slapping my hand over my mouth to silence myself. I took the longest time possible while getting ready so I could avoid my mom downstairs. I even packed up some of my not essential items to waste time. Eventually though, it was time to go to school and I was starving. So I made my way downstairs quietly hoping my mother wouldn't notice me. But because of my luck as I rounded the corner into the kitchen I was met face to face with my mother.

She glared at me for a moment before asking if I had knocked off my attitude. I rolled my eyes at her before reaching into the fruit basket for an apple.

"I won't accept this behavior."

"You won't have to I'm leaving." I told her simply.

She laughed once before studying my face to see if I was being serious. "Where would you even go?"

"I'm 18. I'll handle it." I said before walking back down the hallway to my room. The plan was to wait until the end of the week. But that had gone out the window at this point. I angrily threw my important items and clothes into another box. I had everything mostly packed up but the stuff I'd need for the week beforehand so it didn't take me long.

I stacked the final three immaculately packed boxes, taking only what I really needed before opening my bedroom door. Dustin had finally woken up because of the noise and looked at me in shock. Tears began forming in his little eyes as he sat up.

"Where are you going?"

"A- away." I said nervously. The plan seemed wonderful until it was time to rip Dustin's heart in half as I left. I cringed remembering how as a toddler he'd scream and cry as I left for school. Often holding onto my leg or backpack to stop me from going.

"Like- forever?"

"I'll visit. You can come visit."

His face turned into a deep frown.

"I'll call you every day." I added quickly.

To my surprise, he didn't scream. Or even cry.

"Okay." He said stiffly.

I quickly dropped the boxes and wrapped him in a hug. Feeling selfish for leaving him. "You know I love you more than anyone right?"

He sadly nodded against my chest. I wrapped our pinky's together. "I pinky promise to bother you every day." I told him. He cracked a small smile at me. Quickly kissing the top of his head for the last time I scooped the boxes back up and left the room before he could see the few tears that had managed to escape.

I wiped them away to the best of my ability even though my arms were entangled in the boxes before arriving in the Hargrove's driveway.

It looked like Billy had decided to skip school as well. He was shirtless as he tinkered with his car. The hood was popped open and a cigarette was lazily hanging from his mouth. He was lightly humming to himself as I approached him. When he noticed me a big smile broke out across his face and he wiped his hands on the rag that hanging from his belt.

"Hi sweetcheeks- wait why are you crying?"