Adopted by Phan-a Dan and Phil Phanfic

Chapter two- If you don't have something nice to say shut your mouth

I ran down the stairs, not out of eagerness, but out of fear of what would happen if I wasn't there within 30 seconds.

When I first came to my Aunt's house, she was somewhat helpful, showing me around and letting me get settled. As soon as I was though, it was chores, all the time, and a lot of being yelled at and being hit. She's always telling me how ugly or fat I am, "just like your mum". Uncle Lee isn't much better, as he's always in bed with a headache. Aunt Karen says he's ill, but I know he drinks. When I can't sleep I can hear him yelling at her and I think he's hurting her. At least my cousins are okay. They're 4 and 1, so there isn't much they can do.

When I got downstairs, there was Aunt Karen, hands on her hips, scowling at me. "What took you so long?! Being lazy again? Watching your precious YouTube videos?" She taunted (I was actually watching videos, but also skyping with Nellie because I'm not allowed to got to her place for more than every 2 months). "Go clean the lounge, and don't skimp on the dusting this time! Last time you were done within 4 hours, that certainly can't be enough time to pick up, wash the windows, polish the table, vacuum, and dust?" "I wasn't aware I had to do all that," I muttered under my breath. "What was that?!" "Nothing"
"Good. Now start cleaning up."
As I walked into the lounge, it was all I could do not turn back and yell at her, but I remembered a saying my dad always said; "If you don't have something nice to say, shut your mouth". He was right, but I just wished I could get out of here. After 2 years here, I just wished for a better family.

Later that day, after I had cleaned the lounge and the kitchen, I was washing the dishes while the rest of the family finished their cupcakes. I always listen to their conversations while I do this, and today the topic was "Our horrid niece and her parents". Again, I tried as hard as I could to keep my mouth shut, but when Uncle Lee slurred, "Yeah, yeah, her mum was such a c*nt, just like her." I couldn't help it. I whirled around, and said in a firm but shaky voice, "If you've nothing nice to say, don't say anything." For a few seconds the family sat in stunned silence, except an occasional belch from Uncle Lee. "Go to your room!" yelled Aunt Karen, pointing towards the door. "No, no Karen, let's see what she thinks she knows", Lee said.

"Erm, alright, I know that when you say you're going to work you're actually just going to the pub. I know when you 'come home sick' everyday you're really just drunk. I know when you stay in bed the next day because you're 'ill', you're really just hungover. I know he abuses you," I pointed at my aunt,"and I know I want to get the fuck out of here." I finished with a smirk on my face.

Suddenly, my aunt grabbed my arm and pushed me against the wall, her face inches from mine (okay, I realize this sounds weird out of context, but bear with me). "If you want to get out of here so bad, why didn't you just leave? We don't need you here!"

"I- I didn't know where to go..." I said feebly. "Well there's a children's home not far from here, why not go there?" she demanded. "Maybe I will," I said, regaining my composure. She let my arm go, and shoved me towards the stairs. "Go. Go to your room. We will speak about this later." Her face was so dark it looked like she had storm behind her eyes. That wasn't far off though, because a theoretical storm was brewing.

I ran up the stairs to my room, closed and locked the door, and cried myself to sleep.