The Gang // AU One Direction

Chapter 1

The soft sound of music leaked through my headphones as I waited for Liam. My eyelids were growing heavier and not even my favorite upbeat pop song could keep me awake. There was a light knock on the window and I quietly got up and opened the window for Liam to climb through. He has been doing this since he was fourteen, leaving in the middle of the night or not coming home till later. Although his attitude hasn't changed, his appearance had since he started hanging out with Harry and Jenna.

His hair was spiked up with gel and his skin was occasionally inked with new designs. Sometimes he comes home and I can smell the smoke that was clinging to his clothes and staining his breath. I pretend like I don't notice and I think he thinks I don't. Which is okay. But he has no problem stealing dads alcohol while I'm around.

"I got your text. Where's dad?" He whispered while quietly shutting the window.

I looked at him and sighed, "He went to bed. I told him that you were in the bathroom sitting in the tub."

"Sitting in the tub? Way to make me sound like a girl." He rolled his eyes and I smiled. "Anyway, I owe you one."

"You owe me many actually." I pointed out. He turned our lamp light off. "Goodnight Liam."

"Goodnight. I'm gonna pick you up from school tomorrow." He informed me. I nodded and closed my eyes letting my self fall asleep.

_____

I walked to school alone, as I did every morning since Liam started working. He had to be at the shop before it was even time for me to wake up. So I made myself breakfast, got ready and left without waking dad. It was the same routine every day.

I tended to stay as far away from the allies as possible, practically putting myself in the road. I hated it here. Of all the places in Florida, we had to live here and on this side of town. Although it was a small town, it was easy to get lost. When I cross the train tracks, I can start walking a bit slower and let the overwhelming tension leave my body. After the tracks, is the downtown area where everyone from school is grabbing breakfast and meeting up to finish homework. I walk past them all and straight to the school.

All the schools are lined up, the High School being the closest to my side of town, then the Middle and then the Elementary. There are only buses for the Elementary School. Everyone else has to walk. Liam stopped going to school two years ago. He needed to work.

"Dad? Why are you home? Shouldn't you be at work?" Liam asked dad cautiously as he sat on the couch with a beer in his hand. We were just getting home from school.

"That's none of your damn business. Shouldn't you be at school?" Dad snapped. Liam looked back at me and I knew what he was trying to say. I went to my room as I usually did until dinner. Dad of course never cooked dinner so it was me or Liam in charge. I took my bag and went straight to my room without making eye contact with dad.

Once I was in the room and closed the door I listened to the conversation.

"So what if I quit my fucking job? Maybe you should get a job!" Dad screamed. I could tell he was drunk by the slurred words. Liam knows how he gets when he is drunk so he knows not to say anything stupid.

"Dad, I still have to go to school. Do you want me to drop out?" Liam asked. He was being calm and that was probably the best thing right now.

"It's not like you would ever go to college! You're too stupid for that shit!" Liam wasn't thinking about going to college anyway. He didn't want to leave me here with dad. So I knew what was going to happen.

A week later Liam dropped out and started going to work at a auto repair shop with some friends. It was definitely hard not having my brother at school. But we got through it and now I was used to walking alone though it still horrified me. It wasn't exactly the shortest walk and the first few minutes it is still partially dark. I have heard about people getting jumped and even killed out here. I have to call Liam right when I get to school every morning or else he will probably call the cops and have them searching across the state for me. He was only two years older than me but acted like he was my dad. Most girls would hate that but I really don't. It's nice to know someone actually cares about me.