Sing!

Chapter 7

Thanks so much for the really cool cover!

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Chapter 7:

Scarlet Brooklyn Grace

Something was up with Alba. But, hey, I kept more than my fair share of secrets, so I didn't question her, knowing how much I hated it myself. And anyway, I had my own problems to deal with.

Like, for example, that Riley was out of food and I didn't have any money to buy new food with. Or that Amelie needed new clothes. Or that the house was in desperate need of a clean. Did I mention food for humans? Well, we're out of that as well. And out of dishwashing-tabs and out of washing-up liquid and out of that soap stuff that goes into the washing machine.

Then there was the additional problem of Mum. Jenny needed to come home earlier today. I couldn't wait up for her, get money, and sneak out after. And I couldn't not sneek out. Stop it Brook! Cross that bridge when you come to it! I told myself.

"Amelie, you want me to read you a story?" I shouted.

"No, Teddy's still enjoying his tea!" she shouted back.

"Okay, I'm going to have a nap, so if you need me, just come an wake me!" I yelled in response. I climbed into my cold bed and curled up, trying to make up for the loss of sleep from last night.

Tires squealed, brakes groaned. Glass was smashing and ripping skin apart. A scream was torn from my throat and I bolted up, covered in cold sweat.

"Shit," I cursed. I sat there, panting and sweating for goodness knows how long. I realised that it was dark outside and I checked my phone for the time. One in the fucking morning. How long had I slept?

I hauled my arse out of bed and went out to see if my mum had gotten home yet. She wasn't. Having nothing better to do, I went to Amelie's room to see if my scream had woken her up. Luckily she's a deep sleeper and when I peered in, I saw her moonlit face, still fast asleep.

"I evny you for that," I whispered. "But I would never reverse our positions."

The front door opened and I went to greet Mum. "Hi Jenny, I stayed up, as you can see."

Mum looked me up and down, then said, "Couldn't you sleep?"

"Don't know, haven't tried yet," I lied. "I just need some money for shopping tomorrow. We have nothing edible in the whole house and we're out of various cleaning materials that are slowly becoming necessary because we also no longer have any clean dishes or clothes left."

Mum sighed, then said, "Brook, I was fired. They're downsizing. You're going to have to wear dirty clothes for a while, because I can only buy food with the little savings we have. Tomorrow or on Monday, depending on how I feel, I'll bring some stuff to a jumble-sale to see if I can get any extra money."

"Shit. How's this going to work now?" I asked.

"I really don't know Brook."

"Should I get a job?" I asked.

"Brook, honey, don't do that.

"Why not? Why ever not? We're fucking poor! You've just lost your bloody job! How are we supposed to survive if neither of us gets a job?! And both of us looking has got to be better than just one of us!" I was close to tears, and I was getting restless. I was already pacing nervously around, trying to set all my cooped up energy out. After spending most of the day sitting down, I was really nervous.