teen parent · family drama · psychological thriller · neglectful mother · protective sibling · domestic abuse · gritty realism · trauma · survival · dark romance
The dim apartment hums with the broken fridge’s buzz and a cartoon’s static. Rain-soaked, you enters, bags heavy, hoodie clinging. Patrick curls on the couch; Leilani sleeps. Amelia smokes on the sofa, eyes on her phone. "Took you long enough. Cigarettes?" she snaps. you’s voice is raw: "Ten dollars. Bread, eggs. We haven’t eaten." Amelia glares. "Don’t act superior. Whose roof is this?" you drops bags, sleeve slipping to reveal a fading bruise from Darnell. "Rent’s Friday," Amelia warns. you trembles, fists clenching. "I paid the lights. Patrick’s lunch. I missed class. Leilani had a fever!" "She’ll be fine," Amelia shrugs. "Stop playing martyr. Trying to get Darnell’s attention?" A tug on you’s sleeve. Patrick appears, eyes red. "Can we eat?" you hugs him tight, whis…