Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Chapter 7

☆Ethan's pov☆
Last night
Rachel has just stormed out again. I don't know what's going on with her, but she's getting on my last nerves .

What she said though, it stung, deep, "You're not my parent or brother."

She said I'm not her brother, that I'm not her flesh and blood, that i don't share some of her DNA. That kills me

It kills me because she's kinda right, I haven't been her brother in 10 years, so i guess to her, I'm not her brother anymore. But not to me, she'll always be my sister.

I left 11 years ago because I couldn't be a 20 year old father to my 6 siblings anymore. I needed to start my life, to live without wondering if my siblings are home alone waiting for me to look after them or whether my dad is back from work yet or whether my mom even went to work.

It was selfish to leave them, I get that. But I was 20 years old and scared. Scared that that would be my life until all my siblings went to college, scared that I would never get to live my own life. So I went to live my own life, and it's honestly the best thing I've done, well, except one part of it.

Soon after I left, the rest of my siblings started to follow my lead and left too. They left on their own or in two's, throughout the years with each other. Except they left one sibling behind, Rachel.

Rachel was the youngest, and because she was so young, she was the most work, which wasn't her fault. Everyone was so much older than her, well except Caleb, but still, we all just didn't want to be parents as teenagers to our sister.

When Stacey called me telling me that she was leaving, she was sure that Hayley and the twins could look after Rachel. But soon they left aswell and none of them brought Rachel.

I wanted to go back for her, but I knew i couldn't. I had been out of her life for so long that I couldn't bring myself to go back, to face her, to face mom.

Mom was so different now than she was when I was younger.
She's mean, angry, and cruel to Rachel. She treats her terribly and doesn't seem to care at all about her. When I was younger, she would have never let me go out late at night. But when Rachel went out she didn't care at all and said she's worthless and useless. Who says that about their own daughter? Mom used to be kind, thoughtful, and caring when dad was here. But since dad and the rest of us left, she's turned cold, mean, and to alcohol clearly.

There were empty bottles of alcohol all over the apartment. The fridge was empty apart from a few beers. The pantry was bare, and the place was a mess. It certainly didn't look like a home. Rachel's room was just a bed, nothing else.

Rachel had a black plastic bag with her when she came home. It had " medicine " for mom in it.
Medicine, what medicine does mom need that her 16 year old daughter needs to get for her. Clearly, it's not prescribed medication. But I sure hope that it's not under the counter medication.

When Rachel stormed out, Mom was mumbling something about how "Rachel left her short" and how " She would be delt with later." If that's what I think it means then I'm gonna flip the fuck out. If anybody lays a finger on my sister, I swear I will go mental.

Mom picked up a bottle of vodka and took off soon after. I tried talking to her about what she said but she told me to " go to hell, and fuck off". So that was just pointless.

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Caleb's pov

I just finished my exam for this semester, and i couldn't be happier. These exams have been kicking my ass and I can't wait to relax and just chill.

I'm going out with my friends tonight to celebrate. I'm still only 19 so I've gotta use a fake ID, which is so annoying. In Europe the legal age is 18, why can't it be the same in America? Why do I have to be 21 to drink a beer legally, when 18 year olds can drink beers in Europe? It makes no sense.

I'm just about to leave my dorm when Ethan calls me.

" Hey, did you mean to call me you don't normally?" I ask him, it's unusual that he calls me. Normally, it's a butt dial.

" Um yeah, look, you know how Stacey and I went to visit Rachel and Mom. Well, Rachel is a lot different than when we were younger, and so is mom. I know your in college and have your own life, but I really think that you and the rest of our siblings need to come back to Nevada. For Rachel and for Mom" Ethan tells me

" What do you mean Rachel and mom are different" what's going on with Rachel and Mom.

" Look just get here ok? I can't explain over the phone. Come and see for yourself" Ethan is being really annoying right now by not telling me.

" I'll be there tomorrow" I guess I'm going to Nevada.

Ethan said that Hayley is going too, so I'll drive the two of us.

Knowing Haley is going to be with me makes it a lot easier. I haven't been back home since I left two years ago.

When my older siblings started leaving, I saw how it affected Rachel. How she started talking less and less, how she was home less and always out somewhere with who knows who. I guess it was her feeling left behind? Or a cry for attention, maybe? Rachel was always ignored by everyone, them not wanting to deal with another sibling who is so much younger than them. I'm only 3 years older than Rachel, but even I didn't want to hang out with her, rather wanting to hang out with the twins instead. Rachel never did anything wrong,she was just so young and innocent, she was a baby in everyone eyes. A baby we didn't want to be the parent to.

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I picked up Hayley early the next morning, and we headed off. Hayley hasn't been back in 5 years, and I can practically feel the nerves coming off of her.

" Why are you so nervous?" I ask
" I'm scared about what she's gonna say" Hayley finally tells me
" What who's gonna say" who is she nervous about saying something to her

"Mom?" It's hardly mom, Hayley was mom's favourite.

" No, Rachel. I haven't seen her in five years. I left her five years ago and abandoned her. She's gonna hate me, and it's my own fault." I don't get what she's so nervous about. We all knew Rachel would suffer from us leaving.

We just never knew how much she would suffer

Hey readers,

I'm so sorry it's been so long since I updated. I've just been so busy with exams and work and all that stuff.

Hope to update again soon with Easter coming up and update more often aswell.

Please leave your opinions below, I would love some feedback and to take on board your suggestions xx

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