Hey, guys.

Sorry for the long wait.

I finished my first year of college not too long ago and I have more free time until I get a job.

Some personal family problems we occurring so that will affect updates drastically.

Anyway...

Here you are.

Comment and vote please.

I really need them right now.

Please.

Please.

WARNING: death,

I ran into the office, out of breath as I went to the front desk. The first person I see is Mitch, an ice pack on her cheek with dry tear tracks decorating her porcelain skin. I sighed to myself, trying not to break down as I squatted down to talk to her.

"Hey, princess." I whispered, my heart breaking as a new round of tears welled up in her eyes. "I'm here. There's no reason to cry. I'm right here."

"I know." Mitch got out, sobbing quietly as she closed her eyes. I wiped away a tear, keepi ng my hand on her cheek longer than usual. "I was so scared. One moment I just came out of my speech teacher's room, the next I'm on the floor and boys are kicking me. They were so mean."

I nodded, wanting nothing more than to hug Mitch. I was worried though because I didn't want to scare her more. Five minutes passed and Kirstie was out of the principal's office, a smug look in her face while three other boys followed her. They all looked like they had their tails between their legs, flinching whenever they even came close to Kirstie. The principal came out, shaking her head as she looked over at me.

"I'm assuming that you are a close friend to them? Mitch is allowed to leave early to get over what happened and Kirstie is suspended for three days. She beat up those students and even though she stood up for her brother, I have to abide by the rules."

I nodded, signing the sign out sheet with a crying Mitch and a victorious Kirstie. The ride was quiet, but as soon as I opened my mouth, Kirstie spoke.

"Just because you came to save Mitch does not mean that you can talk to her. I'm still mad at you. You really hurt he-"

"No, it's okay. I forgive Scotty." Mitch whispered, putting her hand on the back of my seat. "I would hold your hand, but you're driving. I wouldn't want us to get hurt."

I smiled softly, looking at Mitch in the mirror. She still looked so sad, her eyes full of a pain I couldn't describe. I was to ask what was wrong when Kirstie shook her head, having the same exact pain in her eyes as well.

"Not now, Scott. Wait until we get home. We have bad news."

What they told me that day was something I was not prepared to hear.

~~~

Gerald scolded Kirstie and made sure Mitch was okay before taking me into his office, making me worried. I was preparing for this since I picked Kirstie and Mitch up, but I still felt like I wasn't ready to hear what he had to say.

I was never ready.

"Scott, I have some news. I need you to listen to me and listen to me carefully." Gerald started slowly, my head nodding slowly in response. He sat down and I repeated his actions, waiting to hear what he had to say. "Kirstie and Mitch already know this, but since I trust you, you will know too."

"Okay," I replied, praying to God that nothing was wrong. It couldn't be,"what's wrong?"

Gerald took a deep breath, staring at a photo of Kirstie and Mitch when they were younger. They looked happier. He looked back at me, takijng another deep breath before speaking:

"I'm sick."

"Oh." I responded, not knowing how to react. Gerald looked sad, but I didn't understand why he was sad. "Well, um, I could go to the pharmacy and pick up some medi-"

"No, Scott." Gerald interrupted, making me shut my mouth. I nodded, waiting for him to speak. "I'm sick, as in, I'm dying."

I dropped my jaw, tears welling up in my eyes as I shook my head. Gerald sighed sadly, putting a gentle hand on my knee before speaking again.

"My kidneys are failing me. Dialysis no longer works and there's only a matter of time before it all ends. Therefore, I want you to be Mitch's caretaker."

I nodded, wiping my eyes as I tried to process this. Gerald is my second father, the one who taught me how to ride a bike, the one who I came out to before my parents, the one who accepted everyone when they revealed who they loved.

The one who made Mitch.

"Gerald, how do you have?" I whispered, staring at him again. Gerald sighed, holding up two fingers slowly. "Two months?"

"Two weeks." He whispered, making me sob loudly. I was not ready to let him go, not yet. "Scott, it's okay. Kirstie and Mitch will have you. Watch them for me, please. All you have to do is sign the papers agreeing to take care of Mitch. Please do that for me. Please."

I wiped my eyes, watching Gerald pick up a packet. On the top it read Caretaker Agreement, the bottom of my heart aching as I saw Gerald's handwriting at the bottom. I looked at my second father, sobbing as I shook my head.

"I can't. I can't do it."

"Yes you can. Do it for me. Also, Scott?"

I sobbed, unable to speak at the moment. Gerald cleared his throat, putting a hand on the paper as he looked at me seriously.

"Call her Michelle. Please."

~~~

These two weeks came by fast, faster than I wanted them to. Last night, Gerald passed out. I called 911 and when we got to the hospital, the nurse gave us some news I was yet again unprepared to hear.

"Mr. Robinson is in a coma. Tbe chances of him coming out of the coma are very unlikely."

Mitch latched on to me all night, her tears making my shirt wet while my tears made the top of her head wet. Kirstie was staring at nothing, trying to comprehend everything that was going on. My heart aches for these two. They have no one.

Except me.

"Family of Gerald Robinson?" A doctor called out, watching us stand up. Well, just me and Kirstie. Mitch was asleep, her eyes shut tightly. "I'm afraid I have horrible news."

And I didn't even need to know what they were.

Kirstie began to scream, falling on her knees as she screamed no while I let the tears escape. The nurse asked us if we wanted to see him, but I shook my head. Not now, later. I will identify the body. I can't let Kirstie and Mitch do that by themselves. I was hoping to leave early when Mitch opened her eyes, standing up to see what was wrong with her sister when she saw the doctor. She looked at me, tears in her eyes as she shook her head.

"Daddy is dead?"

I nodded, my heart breaking as Mitch threw herself on me and cried loudly. I just wanted this night to end more than anything. I hated this.

So much.

Luckily, my parents let Kirstie and Mitch move in with us. Hopefully they don't figure out about Mitch.

She doesn't deserve that. .

"When's the funeral?"

"Mom, you just don't say that." I scolded, shaking my head as cut into the meatloaf for dinner tonight. My mom shrugged her shoulders while my dad continued to eat, not saying a word. "Let them eat."

"I prefer not to say." Kirstie answered softly, her dinner barely eaten. Mitch's was the same, her chin on her hand. I was about to speak when Mitch stood up, tears in her eyes.

"I have to go."

She ran off, me standing up to follow her. My dad called my name, but I didn't wait to hear him. Mitch is more important.

"Mitchy!"

"No! Go away!"

I sighed, walking into my room to find her snuggled up in my bed. Tears were in her eyes, making her look smaller than usual.

"I miss Daddy! Why did he have to die?! Why?!"

"I don't know, love. Mitch, how about yo-"

"Michelle."

"I'm sorry?" I asked, putting a hand on her back. Mitch looked at me, taking a deep breath before speaking.

"It's Michelle. That's what Daddy called me. Michelle."

"Okay, Michelle."

And she finally smiled.

A/N: Little do you guys know, the story has yet to begin.;) Thank you to everyone who is still reading this. It means a lot. I've been dealing with emotional stuff and I'm tired emotionally. Anyways, I hope that you all enjoyed this chapter and remember that I love you all.:)

-Maddie🐶💕🎤