Jake's Pov
Being an Allen was a pretty perfect and sweet life. I woke up every morning looking forward to each day. We were a happy home, not because of the fame or money that came with my mom's success as a writer, but because there was love & peace that binded us. My mom has being both a father, mother & best friend to Laura & I ever since my dad passed away. We were only five when he passed. Though I may not remember much about my childhood, I know that life was pretty tough with my dad dead. It took a strong woman like my mom to pick us out of the ditch into the light. So if you ask me - I do know what survival means.

"Please, can you two eat your breakfast a bit faster. I'm running late for work" my mom's angelic voice yanked me out of my thoughts.

"Star writer Amelia Allen, your work isn't running away" I said, teasing her.

"And your stomachs isn't running away either. Do you know how much of a hit this book launch is? I want 'Flawed' to be a bestseller like my other novels, or Joe will flip" Joe was my mom's boss.

"Mom, you're a nut-case. Why do you worry over nothing?" Laura chuckled, pulling her soft cheeks.

"All you've being doing is working hard to take WG publications to the top. You placed them up the ladder" I said as I poured myself another glass of milk "Infact, I think you should ask for a vacation after your novel is sold out. You can even retire after 'Flawed' hits the charts"

I felt both my ears raise up.

"Are you certain I gave birth to you?" She said, yanking it harder. I yelled while Laura laughed hard at me.

"Why are you laughing, Laura? Hey mom! Let go, its hurting"

"And why should I? You don't know a thing Jake" she let her grip on my ears fade.

"Now my ears are sore" I said, rubbing them gently.

"The launch has to first be a success. A lot of money was invested. WG publications and I could be in serious trouble if something actually goes wrong"

"I didn't know that" I said feigning ignorance. I loved to tease my mom.

"That's because you're absolutely dumb"

"Hey! how can you say that about your son? Since you're my mom I must have gotten my traits from you" she gave me a playful spank on the back.

"You're asking for a beating"

"It's my love for you" I grined, giving her a peck on her cheek.

"You two are so cute" Laura chuckled as she savoured the last piece of egg board that sat on the plate.

"Hey, you ate it all" I said, picking the plate up.

"I didn't ask you to argue with mom. Serves you right" she giggled, sticking her tongue out to me.

"Would you two be quiet?" my mom added "I'm getting an ominious feeling. For some reason I feel nervous"

I studied her face for a while - Her short brown hair sat neatly on her shoulders. She nervously played with her fingers like a little girl. My eyes surveyed her black knee length gown & baby pink blazers, accompanied by black designer shoes. Damn! I had a gorgeous mom. I took her hand in mine & patted it gently.

"You shouldn't be. I'm sure you'll do great like always" Laura & I beamed a smile at her "You're the best. No one can compare to you"

"Thanks baby. That's the nicest thing you've said to me since this month" she quoted, sarcastically.

I shaked my head in disbelief "You're such a drama queen. The month only began yesterday"

"My point exactly jake. If I stay here for another minute I'll miss my book launch" she handed me her bag & laptop. 

"What are you doing?" I asked holding the bag & laptop. She pulled mine & Laura's ears out of the house and into the car, while we screamed playfully.

"Ow! Ow! Ow!"

We were now riding in a white Discovery HSE 4WD sport car, just a few minutes away from Nevaeh university.

"This is why you should let me get a license so that you don't have to drive Laura & I to school everyday" I said, putting my headphone aside.

"I see now what's happening here" my mom said, wiggling her head "You did this on purpose so that I have a reason to let you take a driver's test"

"Uh-oh, someone's being caught" Laura echoed, laughing.

"Come on mom, this is ridiculous. We have three cars yet you drive us to school every morning & make the driver pick us up after school. Dude, I'm in college now"

"Did you just call me dude?" She gasped like this was the first time I've ever called her dude "There's no way am letting you drive Jake. Have you forgotten how your father died in that terrible car accident? I'm too scared to let you drive"

"Mrs Allen, I'll eventually get married someday & I'll have to drive my wife & kids around. How will you stop me then?"

"Do you want to make your wife a widow like your mother? Even if I have to go to every driving agency to ask them to fail you I will" she was cute when she was being protective. 

"Did I mention how beautiful you look today" I winked at her, grining.

"I'm serious Jake"

"A little help here Laura" I said, taking the novel she was reading out of her hand "Tell mom she's overreacting"

"Mom, let it go already. Jake's really responsible & he'll be careful" Her small pretty voice spoke.

Laura was what you could consider a mini-Amelia. She was sweet, kind & calm. She had mom's beautiful brown eyes & mesmerizing smile. She was a little bit of a softy, but that was what made her Laura. I loved everything about my twinee.

"Your father was also careful, but a drunk teenage kid crashed into his car & killed him. What if that happens to you two?" Mom said, as we made a turn.

"What's the guarantee that I won't get run over while waiting for you at the roadside? Or.... "

She cut me off.

"I'm not listening to you" she shouted, covering her ear with one hand, while she steered with the other "I can't hear a thing"

"What a liar you are. Your other ear's wide open, so how is it that you can't hear me?"

"Do you hear anyone talking Laura?"

I chuckled at her attempt to play dumb. I turned to Laura who was laughing hysterically.

"Watch this Laura. Hey mom! I wanted to tell you that I already got a license. All I need now is one of the cars"

"What?" Her scream seeped through our ear drums. She turned swiftly towards me.

"Hey! I thought you couldn't hear me?"

"Are you crazy? I'll slap....." I cut her off, rushing for the steering wheel.

"Mom, watch out!" I shouted. She turned to see a dog in front. she stepped on the brakes & the car came to a halt.

"Oh my God. Are you two okay?" She abruptly turned to face us.

"We're fine mom" Laura nodded, laughing "You're crazy Jake"

"Sorry mom. I give up" I laughed, throwing my hands up in defeat.

"I'm sorry honey. I'm just trying to protect you two" Her eyes went sober.

"Don't feel bad. I was just having fun teasing you" I smiled, feeling bad for torturing her.

"So we're good?" She gave me puppy eyes.

"Of course dude" I fist bumped her, grining.

*******
Our car made a right turn into a remote area & we made a stop infront of a building.

"I'll be back kids. I just need to get something" she stepped out of the car & into the building. I let my eyes peer my unfamiliar surroundings. A little to my left I saw a woman in her 40s walk into a single cramped room. She wore old dull clothes & her black hair was tied in a bun. She had little scratches on her face & she limped when walking.

"Why are you just getting home now?" A haggardly looking man said from inside, staggering - he was obviously drunk & his eyes were blood shot. We could hear & see everything because their window was flung open.

"You didn't make me dinner last night" He snapped.

"When you use up all the money I earn from my menial job in drinking, how then do I feed you & I. Just look.... you're drunk so early. It would do us some good if you got a job Miguel" she said, calmly "It's hard working alone, so please quite drink....."

Laura & I gasped as he lashed at her, landing a brutal slap on her face. She screeched, shaking & crying.

"Miguel" Her hands laid on her cheeks.

"What do you think of yourself worthless woman!? A mere cleaner like you think you can boss me around, huh!"

"Why do you always hurt me? I work day & night just to watch you take all the money I earn for drinking & gambling"

I watched the tears roll down her eyes so quickly as she clenched her chest.

"My heart aches Miguel" she yelled "Haven't I done enough for you?"

I heard the man which I assumed was her husband hoot a loud, hearty laughter. He was definitely crazy.

"Of course you have. Ever since you came into my life I've only had badluck" He took a gulp out of the bottle of alcohol "You ruined my life & I hate you for it, Melissa" He grabbed her neck, pressing it against the wall with one hand. I could feel her veins popping out as she struggled - her face turning red as his grip got tighter. He pushed her and she crashed on the wooden table, hitting her head on its edges.

"Oh my God" Laura said, throwing her hands over her mouth.

As she rolled on the floor, letting out soft moans of pain, with blood streaming down her head; I couldn't contain my anger. Why wasn't anyone doing anything? This abuse has surely being going on for long.

"Your blood would never be enough to atone for your sins, Melissa. Your horrible sister left her husband & children behind to live a comfortable life. You should also leave me. I'm worthless. You have made me worthless!" He yelled, throwing the bottle to the ground. He yanked her up, dragging her purse out of her blue skirt; pulling some dollars from it.

"I'll get a lot of alcohol with this"

"You can't take that money, Miguel" she grabbed his hands, as they tussled for the purse "Give it back. I need that for Karen's medications. Have some pity" she cried.

"You keep spending on your worthless neice. Why are you carrying the burden of someone else? Let her mother do it!"

"Don't be so insensitive, Miguel! I'm all she has & I won't let my innocent child bear the brunt of my sister's mistakes"

She grabs the money out of his hands, attempting to make a run, but he yanks her hair tightly, pulling her backwards.

"You're hurting me, Miguel" she cried, grabbing his hands.

He grabs the money from her before landing a punch on her stomach that sends her to the ground, shrieking in pain.

"Miguel! Miguel!" she screamed & screamed, gripping her stomach, but it all fell on deaf ears.

My heart felt for her. This was a beautiful woman enduring such abuse. For a person who grew up in a loving home this was something I'd never seen before - Mom stepped into the car & I wiped the gloom off my face.

"Sorry I took a while. Let's go."

*******
Our car came to a stop at the entrance of a huge silver coloured gate with Nevaeh university boldy carved on it. We stepped out of the car and my eyes met with Ray, stepping out of a black Lexus RX F sport car. We shot empty looks at each other before I turned back to my mom.

"Ray still bugging you?"

"Nah" I replied "He just feels insecure because he thinks I'm trying to take his place as basketball captain. You know its not easy dealing with an Allen" I grinned, pushing a strand of my hair backwards dramatically. Laura & my mom shot each other glances before laughing.

"You're just like your father. See you guys later" she called handing me my bag "And keep Laura away from that brat Rebecca"

"Don't worry. I'm here" I watched her car zoom off before turning to leave.

As we walked in I surveyed Nevaeh for the zillionth time. I couldn't help but think that the owners just wasted precious land. The terraced space in the middle that led to the gate, the Tall fancy buildings, garden, gymnasium. A school which had a swimming pool, stable, soccer field, basketball court, gym, gallery & a state of the art cafeteria. Nevaeh was a school for the rich. A school where a nobody couldn't survive. Although, every session there were three to four scholarship openings for anyone interested, but no average person would even dare take that risk. Class distinct was the order.

Rebecca's Pov
I had everything I ever wanted being the only child of the united states of America's president. Luxury, clothes, cars, servants, bodyguards. Our executive mansion had a total of 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 8 staircases, 3 elevators and 6 levels of residence - This was the life I was born to live.

I made my way to the dinning table which looked more like a conference room than an actual family dinning room.

"What nonsense is this" I yelled as I sat to eat breakfast but found Cioppino on my plate "come here cook" I called out to one of the women stationed around the room.

"Yes madam" An ugly looking woman walked towards me.

"Do you have a problem with your brain? I asked you to make me chicken fried steak, but what I see here is Cioppino"

"I'm so sorry madam. There was an...."

"Do I look like I give a damn?!" I snapped, knocking the food off the table.

"Rebecca" I heard my mom call as she walked towards me.  "What's wrong, honey?"

"What sort of a fool did that agency give to us as a cook? I have to go to school but I haven't even had breakfast"

"How many more morons will that god forsaken agency send to us? I can't take this, you're fired" my mom yelled angrily.

I turned to watch the cook take off her apron & toss it on the table. I scoffed as she exited without even a single plea. Such pride for a nobody.

"I'll get nanny Clara to make you some fajitas."

"Forget it mom. I'll grab breakfast on my way" I angrily picked up my bag "Bye mom"

"Bye honey" she called back.

"Driver, take me to school" I said as I stepped into a blue Zenvo TS1.