Exposed (#wattys2016)

chapter twenty-nine

48 hours left.

It felt like my body was a ticking time bomb, just waiting for the moment professionals knock on the door and take away my cousins. Even if Levi and I aren't parental guardians, we do a damn good job raising them - better than their mother does.

It was late morning on Saturday, so I spent some time knocking on closed doors upstairs to wake everyone up. Since Gina got home, Levi allowed her to stay up in his bed while he slept on the couch. This was a good thing for me because I wouldn't have to deal with her snark comments towards Caspian.
I almost hit her door with my fist, but quickly refrained when I remembered she was in there.

"Wake up, everyone, we gotta talk," I paced up and down the hallway banging on the doors until one opened, then another, and one more.
"Except you, Gina," I added last minute when I noticed her door was the only one still closed. I heard her groan in approval.

As my cousins stood in their doorways, I nodded towards the steps where I carefully climbed down to the kitchen. They followed me, probably half asleep.

"Here's the plan," I said while they all sleepily took a seat at the kitchen table, "Caspian is going to act as your dad," I spoke slowly to let that one sink in.

Melanie tilted her head in confusion, "Gross, why?"
After her comment, I heard Levi walk in from the living room, "Don't ask any questions about it. We'll make it work. Remember last time we got that male social worker who didn't give a shit about anything and was just about to clear us, but the other older woman with the witch nose stepped in and separated us?" Levi was using so many hand motions i had to keep watching him talk.

"Well, I know for a fact he's going to be the one who checks our house this time. Positive. We got nothing to worry about as long as Caspian lives up to his role as our dad," Levi smiled and nodded slightly to make sure they understood.

"Why?" Danny asked curiously, rubbing his eyeballs with his fingers.
Levi looked at me for help and I just shrugged.
"Uh, we will all stay together this way," Levi said with another smile. Danny dropped his head against the table which made a loud thump.
"Now you probably have a concussion," Joyce rolled her eyes, "Start worrying about that too."

Levi shook his head and used more hand motions to stop that conversation, pointing back to me so we could finish this conversation.
"Basically, we just need you guys to cooperate and act like Caspian is actually your dad. But just remember, if someone other than that guy who inspected last time shows up, you will most likely be separated and then that's Levi's problem for a few days because I'm going away with your dad," I quickly shook my head, "Caspian."

I heard Joyce chuckle, "That's funny, our dad is almost the same age as you and Levi now."
I shot her that look you give when someone is really starting to irritate you, my eyes narrowed slightly, "Just go with it."

"Alright, well, that's all. Please carry on with your Saturday activities," Levi clasped both of his hands together and smiled, heading back upstairs to probably check on Gina.

My cousins at the kitchen table grunted and began to separate into different parts of the house, most heading upstairs except for Danny.

"My birthday is next week," he quietly mumbled while rubbing his head.
I nodded and sat down next to him at the table, "Anything in particular that you want? I'll try to get it for you."
He shook his head and kept rubbing the same spot over and over, "I want some ice."

I got up and pulled frozen corn out of the freezer, handing it to him.
"You might wanna lay low today," I told him while he applied the ice to the spot on his head, "In case it's a concussion."

Danny sighed and nodded in agreement. For once, he didn't argue or ask a stupid question. It's like for once, he knew that he had to look out for himself. For once, I actually think he was growing up.

I spent the remainder of the day not really doing much, just sitting in silence as I tried to call Liv, but her cell phone wouldn't pick up. Frustrated, I grabbed my jacket from the pegged holder on the wall and slid out the front door. It was cold and the sun was almost set, but people were out bustling into different small corner shops. I kept walking until I approached Caspian's house, climbing the creaky steps to the door. I knocked a few times and stood back to wait.

Caspian opened the door.
"Hey, you don't have to knock," He cocked his head towards the interior of the house. I stepped inside and looked around at the living room, full of beer cans and other bottles. The kitchen had pots filled to the brim in the sink, and the whole house smelled like cigarettes.
"What do you need?" Caspian interrupted my thoughts as I took in my immediate surroundings.

"Nothing, I just want to talk to Liv, I haven't seen her in a while," I smiled at him.
He lowered his eyes to the ground and shrugged, looking back up at me.
My smiled faded when I noticed his concerned expression.
"I think she ran away," he added.

I widened my eyes, his expression unchanging.
"She did what?" I gasped out while my eyebrows creased inward, "What? Why?"
Caspian came over and set his had on my shoulder, gripping it tightly,
"Listen, it's fine, be quiet. Don't make it a big scene. She will be back."

I shook my head while thousands of thoughts crept into my brain about Liv running away. I knew she was insecure, and I knew that she wouldn't just run away for nothing.
"Hale," Caspian huskily spoke louder, to grab my attention, "She will be back. You look like you're about to fucking pass out."
My head unintentionally bobbed back and forth, creating somewhat of a nod while I fell back onto their couch.
"I just wanted to catch up with her," I slowly spoke out, "Now she's gone."

Plopping down next to me, Caspian grabbed my hand, which was a nice improvement from him usually making no physical contact at all with me. "Stop worrying so much. Smoke some weed if you have to," Caspian squeezed my hand in his tightly, "You haven't been yourself lately and I know I'm not the only one, it's freaking me the fuck out. I can't wait to take you to this hotel with me where we can just relax."

I smiled at the words "relax", letting my back sink into the couch cushions. Casp was correct, I needed to let some things go and try to focus on myself. I was more than ready to get away from my family for a few days.