Three years later_______________“Say cheese!” Preston yelled at us, Maddison right beside him with her arms around his torso as she watched us with a smile. I gave the camera the brightest smile I could muster while both of my parents practically screamed, “Cheese!” Preston had a goofy smile on his face as he looked at the result of the picture and I bounded up next to him to take a peek over his shoulder. I was squeezed in between my mom and dad, towering over my mom’s 4’9 figure with my 5 inch heels. My dad was still slightly taller than me even with these heels on. My dad was wearing a navy blue button up and a tie while my mother was in a white long-sleeved dress that ended just above her knees. They both had wide smiles on their faces, looking proud and overjoyed. My graduation gown was draped over my silver knee-length dress. My graduation cap was slightly tilted and I was keeping a hand on it t

I've often heard people say that your brain records every second of your life from the second that you were born into this world. I believe in that saying.It might be hard to believe but I faintly remember peeking through the gaps on the side of my sister's crib when she was a baby. I must've been 2 or 3 at the time. She was fast asleep, her fists covered in small mittens to keep her tiny hands warm. The cloth moved slightly as she clenched and unclenched her fists in her sleep. When she brought her fist to her mouth, I stopped it from doing so with a finger."No, baby Casey, dirty. You'll get sick." I whispered softly to the sleepy baby.The small fingers inside the mittens moved as if trying to grip onto the finger that was holding her hands away from her mouth.

3 years before TNCFI dodged as Casey's foot hurled itself towards me, missing me by a bare inch.I crouched and swiped her legs under her, causing her to fall onto her back on the mattress.She rolled backwards to put some space between us and I used that to catch my breath as sweat trickled down my forehead.We eyed each other up before Casey charged once again, aiming for my midriff.I sidestepped her and grabbed her attacking arm, twisting it and holding her in a triangle lock.With her other hand, she quickly tapped my arm three times and I immediately let go of my grip.

2 years before TNCFI yawned, stretching on top of the stairs before climbing down the staircase to get to the kitchen. However, I stopped short whilst passing the living room on my way to the kitchen when I caught sight of Joe packing his things hurriedly."Hey, are you leaving already?" I asked him."Yeah, I need to go home and catch my dad coming home and stop him from throwing money everywhere again. We can't have a repeat of last night." Joe said in a rush, zipping up his bag and turning to me.His face was still beat up. We were lucky that his head wasn't split open, though he did get a concussion."Is it even okay for you to leave?" I asked him, unconvi

I parked the bike in a hurry and didn't even bother taking off my helmet. I jumped off my bike, immediately bolting up the doorsteps and tried to open the front door. My hand went limp and I exhaled in relief when the door didn't budge open.It's still locked.No one broke in.Casey's safe.My legs suddenly felt like jelly and I lowered myself to a crouch in front of the door before my legs could give out on me.I lowered my head, tucking it between my arms while both of my hands holding the back of my neck.The police are no help.The loan sharks know where we are.