Bus Stops • l.p.

1. Only if looks could kill.

Dawn. The earliest time of the day when it's supposed to be most quiet. Alas that's not the case with me, I rather be in bed than babysitting my five year-old cousin who sadly doesn't understand the meaning of quiet. I wouldn't blame her though, I would be beyond pissed if someone interrupted my beauty sleep. I was doing a favor for my Aunty by trying to be the pacifier for Angel, who was exhausted after arriving at our place only five hours before.

My Aunty Catherine was a single mother and Angel was the her only child. She'd just gone through her divorce and to start afresh they moved to us. Aunty Catherine or Aunty Cath as I called her, was going to be saying here with us until they found a place to live but apart from the constant crying, I was fine with that.

I looked down at the young child who rubbed her eyes, tiredly. I pulled her onto my lap and patted her back softly.

"Angel, wait here. I'm going to call Daniel." I smiled at her before entering my brother's room. The lights were turned off as I entered his room, I could tell that he was asleep since his snores filled the room.

Switching the light on, I walked to Daniel before shaking him, so that he could wake up.

"Daniel, get up!" I shouted. He groaned in response but nonetheless got up.

"What is your problem?" Daniel stared at me.

"Help me. Angel won't stop crying." I stated before dragging him into the lounge.

"What does a guy have to do to get some sleep around here." He mumbled as I rolled my eyes at him.

"Angel." I looked at my brother as he picked the toddler up and rocked her in his arms.

I looked at the both of them in awe. Daniel was a prick most of the time and I could just be saying that since I was his sister but he just happened to be like that around everyone. But he was such a sweetheart towards kids. His soft and considerate side only comes out when he's with kids or in any serious situation. It used to always surprise me that he even had the ability to be nice and it still does.

A loud piercing wail brought me out of my thoughts as I stared at Daniel and Angel, Daniel holding her out to me.

"Sorry, this ones a tough one." He murmured before leaving the lounge. I shook my head at him before looking down at Angel.

Don't get me wrong I love Angel with all my heart but it's just that I would rather be sleeping now.

"Hey, Angel I know that you're tired so do you want me to read you a story?" I whispered into her ear. She looked towards me, the tears stopping temporarily as she nodded.

"Come on let's go then." I picked her up, leading her to my bedroom. Sitting her on my bed, I pulled up The Three Little Pigs -Angel's favourite book- on my iPhone.

"There was once a..." I started reading the book to her as I found her slowly drifting off to sleep. About midway through the book, I saw that Angel was fast asleep on my bed. I smiled softly at her as I placed the duvet over her small body.

Finding no point in going back to sleep, I decided it would be a smart idea to go get a head start on my work for Uni. I stared at the desk which had all my books and papers piled up. I sighed staring at the amount of work I had to get done.

"Alyssa?" I turn around to find my mum standing in the doorway of my bedroom.

"Mum? What are you doing up so early?" I question as I walk closer to her.

"I can ask you the same question." She chuckled, placing a soft kiss on my forehead.

"I just put Angel to sleep and I thought of finishing some of my work." I answered as I saw my mum glance over at Angel.