Cracks

Understand- Dylan's POV

Dylan's POV-

"I don't know what's more annoying, you and Scotty or my girlfriend that is mad at me because I'm mad at her," I groaned as another M&M went flying over my head.

"Yessssss!" Scotty exclaimed as he raised his fist in triumph over catching the candy mid-air.

"Or the fact that I've been stuck with you two all week over Thanksgiving break," I sighed in more mock annoyance.

In all honesty, I enjoyed having Presley living with us. She helped me with Scotty, and it was easier to tutor her whenever we wanted to instead of having to cram it all in right after school. Granted, it had only been a few days, but she kept Scotty occupied and his mind off of our parents. Plus, she was low maintenance all around.

The only trouble had been with the sleeping arrangements. We had been sharing a bed, and it had been making me feel more and more guilty each and every night. We slept with our heads on opposite ends of the bed, but still... I just knew that Lindsay would have a conniption if she knew. We weren't doing anything, but some of the thoughts that entered my head about the beautiful girl were making me feel guilty as hell.

"Shut up," Scotty said and threw an M&M at my face. "You love us!"

"Oh God, he sounds just like you!" I groaned and pushed Presley playfully.

"Annnnd that's a problem because?..." She drew out while shoving candy into her mouth, making me laugh at how ungraceful she was.

Just as I was making up a reply, the doorbell rang. It was one of Scotty's friends asking if they could go play at his house. To which, I gratefully told Scotty to get the hell out. He was bursting with energy and annoying the hell out of me. I loved him to death, but he was a whole ball of energy all of the time.

"Hey, Dyl..." Presley said softly. "Has your mom said anything about Thanksgiving?"

"No..." I answered solemnly. "She usually would at least try to cook us a nice family dinner before going out to shop, but this year she hasn't said a word... I kind of doubt that she even knows that it's Thanksgiving with amount of wine that she's been consuming. You saw that she got a new shipment in yesterday. I mean... how has she not gotten alcohol poisoning yet?"

"I..." Presley sighed and just patted my shoulder. "When people are sad, and I mean really sad, you'd be surprised at the amount of alcohol they can intake. One time, my mom downed almost a whole liter of vodka after a bad night... and it was the cheap shit, the crap that smells like rubbing alcohol. After throwing up a bunch, she was okay. It's just... how she deals sometimes."

"I know... I'm just worried," I sighed and shook my head. "I mean, not only for her and her poor liver, but for Scotty too. When is she going to get better? He needs a parent, and she seems to be the only one that's sticking around. My dad has apparently written us all off."

"I wish I had an answer for you," Presley sighed.

We stayed silent for a few moments as we both just thought. I felt bad that she was in the middle of all of this crazy with us, but I was sure glad that she was there for me. Plus, she didn't seem to mind at all. She just rolled with the punches with us. She made me feel understood.

"How about, while Scotty is at his friends, we go grocery shopping? Thanksgiving is only a few days away and we can make a nice meal and eat it all together," she suggested.

I stared at her with wide eyes. I hadn't even thought about the fact that Scott was going to miss out on our already barely there traditions. I was glad that Pres wanted to give him some semblance of stability. Even when she and her whole life was unstable, she wanted to give my little brother some sort of tradition... It made me warm.