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It took me half an hour to find Marnie's house. When I did, my jaw dropped. I couldn't believe the size of the big ass mansion surrounded by tall metal gates and green-trimmed brushes.

I shook my head, thinking how easy this girl's life is. She didn't have to grow up in a small apartment until the age of fifteen. She didn't have to give up her favourite toys so her parents could earn extra money they couldn't afford at work. She didn't have to get a school bus until she could afford to buy a run-down old bike and fix it up by themselves.

Looking at this monster building, I feel anger burn through my veins.

Why do some kids have it so good while others have to suffer?

I brush the thought away, just wanting to be done here as soon as possible.

After driving past the gold gates and parking my bike near the entrance of the cream and white building, I get off my bike and knock on the wide red door. I wait patiently while I hear some movement inside.

Marnie appears behind the door, smiling. Her eyes are big and bright and her cheeks are flushed pink. "Hey, you're early."

I shrug a shoulder. "I have a practice session tonight, so I need to get this over with as quickly as possible."

She nods her head, escorting me inside the open hallway. My eyes roam around the area in fascination. It's clean, tidy and plain. I see a small glimpse of albums hanging on the wall and I knew instantly that they were from her parent's band.

"Do you want anything to eat or drink before we start?"

I shake my head at her. What surprises me about Marnie -- she seems sweet. Her voice is soft and her posture stiff, I expected a girl with confidence, arrogance and fire. She is a very beautiful girl. Her ice-blonde hair shines in the natural light and her big blue eyes pierce underneath her long, thick lashes. She has full pink luscious lips and high cheekbones. Her skin is creamy and glowing, and her body is thin, with curves in all the right places.

Okay, I need to stop checking her out.

She catches me staring and her entire face turns a light shade of red. "Okay, well my room is this way."

She leads me up the stairs and after getting comfortable in her room full of posters of rock bands and indie artists, I sit in a plastic chair by a wooden desk and place my books near hers.

We sat discussing poems for a while before we hear what sounds like a crash somewhere downstairs.

Marnie's face pales, her blue eyes wide with fright. "What was that?" I ask her.

"Umm... It's probably my mother." she carries on writing notes and then we hear another smash.

Marnie looks up at me and I raise an eyebrow at her, waiting for an explanation.

"Marnie!" a feminine voice calls out. "Get your stupid ass down here girl!"

Marnie freezes, her lips parted in surprise and her eyes look horrified. She stands up abruptly from her bed and walks across the room. "I'm sorry I'll be back, give me a minute."

She walks out of the door and I'm left in the silence of her wide room, it's the size of my living room and kitchen.

Another few minutes go by and Marnie is still downstairs. I roll my neck back, looking up at the ceiling while I wait.

Who was shouting at her? Her mom? Another family member? The woman sounded angry, the same anger my dad has whenever I'm home late.

My curfew is ten, but I'm always home at eleven or twelve on weekends. I don't give a fuck. Dad once threatened he would take my guitar away if I carried on being so irresponsible. I just laughed in his face. He's all talk and no bite.

My thoughts are cut short when I hear the screaming coming from downstairs. "I said now!"

What the hell is going on?

I creep up to the door, slowly opening it so I can hear more clearly. Should I be listening?

Fuck it.

"No mom, you're smashed and I can't go anyway, I'm underage."

I could hear a groan. "You're useless, fucking useless."

I don't know why this bothers me so much. One part of me wants to go downstairs and see what's happening and who's yelling at Marnie, I know it's none of my business and it may also cause more problems. I don't like hearing this.

"Where the hell is Grace?" the woman shrieks.

Fucking hell, her voice is worse than Harley's when she's pissed.

"She's visiting family this week, remember. Mom, please go to bed, you don't need any more whiskey."

Her mom?

I had no idea her mom was this crazy, and she's asking for alcohol from her daughter? That's fucking low.

"I can't drive to the store! Stop being a selfish brat and go!"

I don't know what pushed me but I end up flying out of the room like my ass is caught on fire and storming down the steps towards the noise.

When I see the two blonde women inside the dining area, I freeze in my spot. I see a middle-aged woman with long, wavy blonde hair. Her eyes are bright but glazed. She looks a little unsteady on her feet and her clothes look crumpled on her bony figure.

Her jaw hits the floor when she sees me enter the room and her eyes narrow on her daughter. "Oh I see, you're too busy whoring yourself around go help your dear old mom out. I was your age once young lady, just because you spread your legs for a boy doesn't make you special."

She slurs her words while Marnie looks uncomfortable. "He'll just use you and then throw you away like trash, you silly girl."

"Mom, that's not what's happening." It's the first time I've heard Marnie lose it. Her fists are clenched at her side and her jaw is closed tight. Her mother snickers, looking over her shoulder at me.

I don't move, my feet paralysed to the spot.

Say something dumbass.

"Are you okay?"

Well done, idiot.

Marnie turns to me, her eyes wide and worried. "Yeah, I'll be right up."

"Yes go on then," her mother waves us off. "I don't need your help."

Marnie's lips turn down, her face is emotionless. She looks like she might say something and then she decides against it.

I follow Marnie out of the room and up to her bedroom. My head swirling with questions, and the one I'm most anxious about is if she's okay. The fuck?

She sits on her bed, sighing. I rake my hair out of my eyes, watching her cautiously.

"Should I leave?" I ask.

She shakes her head, her blonde hair brushing beautifully with her movements. Did I just think she was beautiful?

"No, it's okay, we need to finish this." I nod my head and sit back at her desk.

We finally finish our assignment and I pack up, making my way out of her room, thankful, that it's finally over.

Although there is also something that's bugging me.

Does Marnie get this sort of abuse every night?

Is her mom struggling with some sort of addiction?

Is Marnie getting the brunt of it?

I look at Marnie, her face is impassive. To be honest, I'm stunned she's dealing with this sort of treatment -- is this neglect?

"Marnie..." I can't help the words falling from my lips. She looks up at me, her electric blue orbs are inquisitive. Instead, I look over and see a white piano in the living room area.

"Do you play?" she seems confused at first until she follows my gaze and her face turns gleeful. My lips tug up when I see the delight on her face.

"Oh yeah, I've been playing since I was seven." she walks over to the piano and makes herself comfortable.

As I watch her at the piano, it's obvious that this is where Marnie is supposed to be. It looks right.

What I was not expecting however was the beautiful music created by her fingertips. She plays what sounds like her own song and I won't lie -- it's beautiful.

I know my jaw must be on the floor while I watch this girl get lost in her little world. Her eyes closed, and her head down slightly. She looks... peaceful.

When she finishes playing, she smiles. Slowly, she looks up at me, sheepishly and waiting for my reaction.

"Wow... I..." I don't even know what to tell her. I'm at a loss for words.

She blushes scarlet, standing up from her seat.

There are so many things I want to say. "Thank you... for sharing that with me."

Her smile turns into a full grin. "You're welcome."

I feel like a lucky son of a bitch hearing her play. I will never forget this day that's for sure.

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