Your Everyday Hero

Chapter 1

*Thank you for getting this far in my book. I don't usually do this stuff, but what the heck?! Why not? This is my very first story I've ever written and I hold it very near and dear to my heart. This is no story that I just made up. It's about a woman that is so special to me and that has inspired me to create this story. She is the one and the only person I could ever call mom.
Most of the stuff in this story is true, just changed a little bit to add my own creativity. Constructive criticism is welcomed!!! I would love for you lovely readers to point out any flaws or mistakes. I would love to have your opinions on how to become a better writer and after my experience with this story, I will decide whether or not to continue writing more!
Also, I've had lots of trouble picking a title so if you would like to comment some opinions after reading that would be very lovely! Thank you!
Enjoy!*

"My goodness! It's so hot in this room." I pushed my sister out of the way gently, so to not wake her. Once I was finally untangled from my two sisters' limbs and the blankets, I looked back at their sleeping bodies. Kelsey's long blonde hair plastered to her body from the heat and Annie's chubby little face with drool dripping from her mouth. I wish we had a fan in our room, it would make it a little less torturous to not only share a room, but also a twin bed with my two little sisters.
   I tiptoe down the hall to the bathroom, not wanting to wake my parents. I don't want my mom yelling at me this early in the morning. When I walk into the bathroom I catch a glimpse of my wild curls, it reaches to the middle of my back. I've always wanted to cut it short, but my dad would never allow me to.
   "Cora? Can you make us some food please?" Kelsey asked through the bathroom door.
   A small sigh let my lips and I replied, "Give me one second Kelsey and I will." I finish up quickly and throw my hair into a big bundle on top of my head. Before I walk out I say a prayer, "Dear Heavenly Father, please watch over me, my sisters and Kai. Thank you for blessing me with another day. Amen."
   I walk out the bathroom and hurry to the kitchen because I start to hear Kelsey and Annie bickering, as usual. A nine-year old and a seven-year old left in a room together is World War 3. Over dramatic? Don't think so.
   "What are you two fighting about this time?" I ask with an exasperated sigh.
   Annie is the first to speak up. "Kelsey won't let me sit in her seat, so I can sit next to you," she whines.
   "I got here first Annie! It's fair and you know it!" Kelsey argues back.
   Before it gets any farther I jump in and squash it. "Why don't I sit in the middle and you both can sit next to me? No one has to fight over any seats and we don't wake Mom and Dad up," I explain.
   "Okay," both say at the same time and look at each other and giggle. The tension quickly dissolves and is easily forgotten.
   "So, what do my two favorite little girls want for breakfast?" I ask with a small smile on my face.
   They both look at me and yell "PANCAKES!"
                               •••
   While I was cooking my parents came out looking refreshed from their wonderful full eight hours of sleep. My dad came by and pecked me on the cheek. "Good morning sweet pea," he whispers in my ear. My mom kind of just grunted at me and then turned to my sisters and greeted them with a smile and kisses. She's been like that to me ever since Grandma, and I don't know why. Grandma made the choice, not me.
    I make everyone pancakes and there was just enough pancake batter for everyone to have two, except for me. I got one and ended up secretly splitting it with Annie because pancakes are her absolute favorite. I especially can't say no when she flashes her big green eyes that are identical to mine, at me. I don't complain though, I like knowing her and Kelsey are full. Usually, we don't eat like this. My mom makes us one serving and that's it. We only get seconds if it is veggies or something else healthy and if there is enough.
   "So sweet pea what are you doing today?" Dad asked, while we were cleaning the kitchen. Mom wanted me to do it myself, but my dad told her we should all pitch in since I made breakfast for everybody. After some convincing she gave in and helped.
   "I'm hanging out with Nikki and Leah today, if that's okay with you?" I reply back.
   "Yea-" Dad starts to reply before Mom interrupts him.
   "No, you can't. You have to watch your sisters." Mom says with a weird look on her face.
   "Why? We have nothing planned for today. She deserves to hang out with her friends sometimes. She's always at home with Kelsey and Annie," my dad says to my defense.
   "We need to go shopping Dean, for food and other essentials for the week," my mom argues back.
   "We can take Kelsey and Annie with us, Becky."
   I can tell my mom is getting annoyed. "No, Dean. I want them to stay here with Cora. Stop arguing and go get dressed, we are leaving soon." She says this with a stern look on her face. He walks out of the room not wanting to argue anymore and I know she's going to start on me.
   "Why do you do that?" She says with a disgusted look on her face.
   "Do what? I haven't done anything."
   "You make him take your side and stand up for you!"
   "No I'm not. I didn't tell him to say anything. I don't mind being here with Kelsey and Annie."
   "Better not be. You don't need to hang out with Nikki and Leah. You can tell they're rubbing their sleaziness off on you." She says this while running her eyes over my body. All I'm wearing is a short sleeve black and white striped V-neck with black mid-thigh shorts, that I slept in last night.
   "Okay. I will remember that next time." I say with a hint of sarcasm.
   She gets inches from my face and hisses, "You better watch your mouth, girl. I'll kick you out of this house again."
   I can't stand when she tries to push me around and expects me not to put up a fight. "If you do you won't have your live in babysitter anymore and will have to be an actual mother to your kids."
   Before I had a chance to react her hand met my face and most likely left a handprint. I took a step back and put my hand over my face and looked at her with anger in my eyes.
   "Now get back to cleaning my kitchen." She walks out with a smirk on her face. My heart starts to race and it gets hard to breath. Last time I stood up to her she kicked me out and I was terrified. She argued with me and kicked me out. All I had was the clothes I had on and my sandals. I had no clue what I was going to do and I was scared out of my mind. That was until I saw Kai that day. He was a really nice boy that attended my school. I have him in a few of my classes and talk to him a few times.
   I was sitting on the side of the road a couple of blocks away from my house, crying. I hear a truck pull over and I look up to see Kai's icy blue eyes looking at me with concern. He gets out the truck and I hurry to wipe away any evidence of me crying.
   "Cora?" He asks with his deep thunder like voice. "Are you okay?"
   I look up at him with tears welled up in my eyes and answer back "Yes," with a smile on my face, "I'm perfectly fine."
   "Okay. We don't have to talk about it." He says this so sincerely it kinda makes my heart swell. "Come on, I'll take you to get something to eat."
   As he helps me up I start to protest. "I don't have any m-"
   "I don't care. This is on me." He looks at me again with those icy eyes and a smile so genuine and warm, it might melt my mom's cold heart.
   We head to the nearest restaurant called Mary Ann's Diner. It's known for the best and softest pancakes in town. Even though it was almost 2 in the afternoon we both ordered a stack of pancakes with strawberry syrup. Which led us to talk about other stuff we have in common. Which is more, than I expected.
   "There is no way you know about ER!" I say with a chuckle.
   "It's only the best show ever!"
   "I know right! Everyone I talk to about it, has no clue what I'm talking about!"
   "Exactly! Everyone should be forced to watch this amazing show!" He says this with a serious look on his face and then we just break into a fit of giggles.
   I didn't only find out his favorite show I also know he is older than me. He should be in the 11th grade, but his birthday is in November which resulted in him starting a year later. He also has two older brothers. The oldest is Danny and the other is Johnny.
   I've seen Johnny around school. He's known for being a pothead. He's a senior. Kai's other brother, Danny already graduated, he's 25-years old and is pretty cool according to Kai. Kai talks of him very highly.
   The conversation slowly dies as we get closer to finishing our food. I'm patiently waiting for the moment he asks why I was sitting on the side of the road, crying. He kept looking at me, probably thinking his black shaggy hair was covering what he doing.
   "So, why were y-"
   "My mom kicked me out." I interrupted quickly.
   "Why?" He asked with a curious look on his face.
   I sigh, not really wanting to talk about it. I know he deserves to know, especially after picking me up and feeding me.
I hesitate at first and then I take a deep breathe and start to explain, "She finds any and every reason to yell at me or punish me, even if it's for no apparent reason. My mom has been like this since my grandma chose to go to a nursing home and shortly after died. She probably blames me, but it was 8 years ago and I didn't want her to leave. My grandma didn't want me to see her dying or even find her dead one day, so she moved out."
   "Wow. That really sucks. What about your dad?"
   "He tries, but my mom is persistent when it comes to fighting with me and it makes it worse that my dad favors me. What time is it?"
   "Half past four," he answers. I start wringing my hands because I don't know where I'm going to go tonight.
   "Don't worry." He says grabbing my hands with his big callused hands. "My brother is out of town and I'm watching over his place. You can stay there for a few days."
   I didn't want to intrude so I said, "No, I can't. That would be rude to just stay in someone's home without them there."
   "I've already asked. He is totally find with it." He reassures me with a squeeze on my hands.
   After we got done, Kai paid for the food and we were on our way to his brother's house. When we arrived to his brother's apartment, he let me borrow some clothes so I could shower. It was almost 7:30 when we got here, so he ordered pizza even though we ate 3 hours ago. I wasn't that hungry and just wanted to sleep.
   "Is it okay if I just call it a night? Today was pretty exhausting." I say with an apologetic smile. I felt bad and didn't want to seem rude.
   "Yeah, of course! You can sleep in the guest bedroom also known as my room." He says with a smile.
   I head to the room and thank him while I'm walking away. I finally reach the room and once I hit the soft bed I fell right to sleep with the scent of men's cologne up my nostrils.
                                •••
The lemon-scented Clorox spray brought me back to my cleaning. I scrubbed the counters till my hands ached. Once I was done with that, I went to check on the girls. Then, I'll finish my chores before my parents get home.