Willow Gallagher

Chapter Six: Casey Casden

Willow P.O.V:

I was sitting in my dark room alone, as always, crying. I was crying because I couldn't provide for everyone like I was supposed to. And I knew that I wasn't doing enough for everyone but I couldn't do anything because if I took on more "clients" my siblings would start to notice and they would figure out what I do to make money. I also knew that I wasn't old enough to get a work permit to get a real job like Ian and Fiona. I wasn't smart enough to be a touter like Lip, and I wasn't good with kids like Debbie was. I was just crying because I knew that I was just dead weight to my family.

"Hey Willow!" I heard Lip call from the the hallway outside my door. I quickly whipped away my tears and walked over to the door, then opened it slightly. I looked up at Lip as he looked down at me, at first he was just looking at me but then his facial expression turned into one of worry. "Whoa, you okay?"

I started to nod but then stopped and started to shake my head. Tears slipped from my eyes and Lip pulled me into a tight hug.

"Want to talk about it?" He asked.

As I shook my head I said, "I can't t-tell you."

"Well why not?" He asked. 

"B-Beacause I just can't, Lip." I buried my head deeper into his chest. 

"Okay. Hey its okay. Just calm down." Lip gently pet my head. For just a few minutes Lip held me in his arms and gently pet me. Suddenly there were footsteps coming up the stairs. I didn't move from my position that I was in because I was just too comfortable. After a few more long moments I stopped crying and released Lip from my grip and in turn he did too. 

"Thanks." I mumbled to him.

"No problem." Lip said. 

I looked up to see who had come up the stairs and saw Ian looking at me with concern. Lip then wrapped his arm around my shoulders and started to rub my arm.  

"It's nothing." I said. 

"You sure?" He asked. I nodded and leaned on Lip once again. 

"Okay." Ian said. "But for the time being, Lip you gotta see what is wrong with the water heater." 

"Okay. I'll be down in a second." 

Ian nodded then gave me one last glance before walking down the stairs. When we could no longer hear Ian's footsteps Lip turned to me again and gave me one last hug and a pat on the head before following after our brother. I only walked back into my room after I couldn't hear Lip's footsteps. I leaned against my door, closed my eyes, and took a deep breath. When I opened my eyes I decided that it would be best to get ready for the day, foreseeing that I would probably leave the house at some point or another. 

I chose to wear a long sleeve Batman shirt with some galaxy printed skinny jeans that fit me last month, but now they were a size too big for me. I knew that at least one of my siblings would comment on the pants not fitting me. When I was done getting dressed I looked in my full body mirror and noticed that my thigh gap was bigger. Its not like I was trying to have one or be skinny for the social quota or anything like that, I just wanted to help feed my family. 

Before I could start crying again and have a little pity party in my room, I walked out, locked my door, and went downstairs just as Fiona walked into the kitchen. Ian and Lip were sitting on the floor next to the water heater. Lip was holding a flashlight, pointing it in the water heater, while pulling something out. 

"Oh, my God. That's uh... it's dead." Lip said. 

"You sure?" Fiona asked as she leaned over the counter. Debbie then walked into the kitchen.