unseen [Divergent au]

one

My mom and dad are both slumped over, sleeping. My mom on the futon and my dad in his recliner.

This is my life. Everyday, no matter what. Ever since I was eleven years old, my parents were heroin addicts. Tearing our whole family apart. Leaving me to pick up the pieces.

I am going to give you a piece of advice. Never ever trust. Trust nobody. Because if you trust someone, they are going to turn around and stab you in the back. Even your own parents.

My little brother Caleb starts to wail. He's only four years old, and me, a sixteen year old, has to raise him. Practically on my own.

"Hey buddy," I coo. Pulling him out of the crib. He immediately quiets down and stares at me with wide innocent eyes.

I used to be like that.

Innocent, not a care in the world. Still had my purity, a wide future spread out before me.

Oh how times change.

"Your almost too big for that old thing," I state. Caleb sticks a fist in his mouth, listening to my words, but not understanding them.

I wish Caleb could grow up in a functional home. With two parents who would care for him and raise him.

Of course, I wish it was like that for me, too. But I cannot be selfish. There is no room for selfishness here.

"I guess you can take my bed. Now, come on." I get Caleb dressed as well as me, and walk outside to my car which I paid for myself. Thank god I have a job.

"Get in your seat," after Caleb is buckled in I get in the driver's seat and drive off.

____________

We need food so I drive to a local grocery store which is not too far from the house.

"Hungry!" Caleb bangs his fist on his booster seat. I sigh. "I know bud, that's why we're here."

People give me dirty looks as I walk in, thinking I'm a teenage mother. This world pisses me off sometimes. I mean, even if I was a teenage mother, is it any of your business? No.

"What do we need bud?" I scan the grocery list in my hands.

"Cereal!"

"Right, thank you."

So we go down isle after isle, getting the items we need. Then finally, we head back to the house.