A/N: So here's the next chapter!! There's going to be one more after this and then it's done... maybe an Epilogue, but I don't think it's necessary. I guess you guys can decide when I get there. Thanks for all your guys support so far!!

Chapter Nine

Silence, but it’s only for a few seconds. I hear his footsteps on the back porch roof. I run over to the window to see his face. Tears fall down my cheeks again as he comes in through the window. He sees me and pulls me in for a huge embrace. “Oh, Alexis...”

“Trent. I missed you so much!”

“Me too, darling. Me too.” I continue to sob in to his chest as he brings me over to my bed. He rubs circles on my back, trying to calm me down. “Shh, hun, don’t be too loud. I don’t want your parents to come up.” I nod and take in deep breaths.

I look in to his eyes and I feel my heart beat faster. “God, I missed those.” He smiles and kisses my forehead. I close my eyes and rest my head on his shoulder. “What am I going to do, Trent?”

“Honestly, I do not know.”

“I can’t keep living this life. They expect me to drop everything and watch Anne. They expect me to cancel my plans and stay home to watch Anne. Is that right? Am I just overreacting?” I look up in to his eyes again, searching for some answers. He sighs.

“Hun, I don’t think it’s fair that you have to watch your sister. She’s old enough to take care of herself.”

“Trent-”

“I know, she’s not really “old” enough. But hear me out. Your parents never tried to teach her things. They haven’t even tried to send her back to school or get schooling. They’re afraid, Alexis, they’re afraid of her growing up.”

“But why?”

“I don’t know. But don’t you think so? Maybe that’s why your mom wants you to watch her. So you don’t have to grow up either.” I ponder on that.

“That makes sense. But you have a point about the whole Anne not going back to school. We’ve never had a tutor for her or anything. They just let her watch TV and play with her dolls. I wonder if that’s the reason. They’re afraid to let her go.” I feel a smile creep up on my face. I like our little revelation! It works so well too.

Someone knocks on the door. “Alexis Rose... Your father and I are heading out.” My mom shouts from behind the door. Trent runs in to my closet... thank God it’s cleaned out. My mom opens the door and walks in. I’m still sitting down on the bed, smiling like a goof ball.

“What? No comments?” I shake my head. And then nod.

“Yes. I finally found out why you never let Anne go to school.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re afraid that she’ll grow up. She was your first child. You don’t want to lose her... because you almost did when she fell. And then with me, you don’t want to let me go.” My mom closes her eyes, like she’s trying to hold back tears.

“I’m so sorry.” She whispers. And quickly comes to my side. She takes my hands and her wise eyes pierce in to mine. “I’ve been a rotten mother. It’s true. You’re my little girl, Alexis. I don’t want to see you leave. I know you’re a senior now, and you’ll be applying to colleges shortly. It just seems like your growing up too fast.”

“Mom, I grew up years ago.”

“What do you mean? When?”

“When I was nine, and I had to babysit Anne for the first time.” My mom’s face falls. “You and dad had emergency meetings... I thought I could handle it myself. I grew up mom, when I was nine years old.” Tears slowly seep out of my eyes. How many times can one cry a day?

“I’m sorry... I’m sorry for dumping your sister on you. It wasn’t right.”

“And...”

“And, for preventing you from seeing Trent and your friends. I guess I was being a little over protective. I was afraid you’d get hurt.”

“Mom, I’m not five years old... I’m not like Anne.”

“I know that. I know that now...” My dad shows up at the door way and looks at the both of us, silently crying.

“Jan, you ready?” She looks at my father and wipes her tears off her cheeks.

“I don’t think we should go anywhere tonight. I think we’ve been too hard on Alexis. She needs time on her own.” My father’s face falls, he looks disappointed. I put my face in my palms as my parents discuss what’s going on. My father already made reservations, and it’s not really good if you cancel. But my mom feels that we’ve been burdening me with Anne responsibilities when I am suppose to be a kid. My dad is mad about it, but he finally gives in. My mom looks at me and smiles.

“I know we told you that you can’t stay at Maybelle’s. But if she still can we’d allow you to.” I look up at their faces and smile shyly.

“Really?” I try to sound to enthusiastic. It might be a trick.

“Yes. Go on. We’ll stay home tonight.” I jump up and give them quick hugs and kiss their cheeks.

“Thank you so much!” They laugh lightly and walk down stairs. I shut the door and Trent comes out of the closet.

“So, do you still need me?”

“Yes, we’re going to Maybelle’s. Chances are she still stuck with her plan and Jessie’s over.” I take out my cell and dial her number. She answers excitingly and very loudly claim that I can still come over. I tell her I’m bringing Trent and she screeches again. Apparently, I was right and she does have Jessie over.

“I’ll see you in a bit, May.”

“K, love you girl!”

“Love you, too.” I hang up and throw random clothes in to a bag. Trent gets out of the house through my window and I walk down the stairs to walk out the front.

“Do you need a ride, Alexis?”

“No, mom, May’s on here way. See you tomorrow.” They both nod and watch the educational television show with Anne.

Trent already started the car and he waits for me by the passenger door. I run over to him and we hug and my lips crash on to his passionately. “I love you.” I breathe out before he opens the door to let me in.

“Love you too, darling.” He shuts my door and walk over to his side and gets in. He takes my hand and drives off towards Maybelle’s house. When we get there, Trent takes my bag out and swings it over his shoulder. He takes my hand and walk up to May’s doorway. I knock on the door and she opens it wide screaming and gives me a huge hug.

“WHAT HAPPENED? DETAILS!”

“I guess not everyone’s perfect.” I say and we walk in to the house.

A/N: REVIEW PLEASE!! I would really like some feedback. So if you guys would be so kind...

Thanks to my reviewers: Hatake-san and Words of Silence!!