It was 3am when my mom came into my room, walks towards my bed "Hey baby" she gently touches my hair "Hi mom, your back" stood up from the bed and hugs her "shit, I don't have much time" she checked her phone, "Mom I'll be graduating next month, once I graduate I'll find a well paying job, you don't have to work your ass up" I held her hands assuring her of my words "I know baby, I want you to promise one thing" with her tone she sounds panicking , I responded with a "Go ahead" nod. she took a deep breath, looks into my eyes and said "No matter how long am away, promise me you'll take good care yourself and your sister, whenever you need any form of house, you'll go to aunty Lucy", I wasn't expecting this kind of promise, hold on is she leaving us just like the way Dad left us, Hell No!! i started panicking "Mom is anything wrong!?, Are you leaving us??" I couldn't hold my emotions any longer, I start tearing up "Oh no baby, I wouldn't leave you both in this wicked world, you know you're get matured as the day goes by, I can be gone at anytime, Do me this one favor ok" she use her thumb to wipe my tears, trying hard to hold back her tears.

After *Our mother and daughter moment* she stood up and walks to the door "I've 3 days shift at work, don't forget the promise you made me" opens the door ans walks out, I felt empty like an important part of me vanished, Something definitely isn't right i was lost in my thoughts. Everything was heavy, my thoughts, emotions, took a deep breath close my eyes and slept off.

My alarm peeps loudly suddenly someone barges into my room, got a hold of my shoulder and shakes me like her life depends on it "What the fuck Kate, can't you knock" I spoke up with annoyance. Sorry I haven't introduced myself, Hii I'm Grace, 20, brown skin

I'm biracial

hazel eyes, 5"6, last year in collage that's all i can remember for now *awkward* the girl shaking me like her life depends on it is my little sister Kate, shes 6 darker than me and the opposite of me

when it comes to personality

, enough with the introduction let's go be to reality.

She giggles "I'll be late for sch, hurry up" she said with a frown on her face, oh Lord I can't deal with her *growls* "What the time" getting down from the bed "9:00" oh shit, I have an important class in an hour, rushes to my wardrobe grabs my *Outfit for the day* which are little rip boyfriend jean, a white crop top, milk sweatshirt and Nike Air Force 1, placed then in the bed "Go get your things ready, I'll be down in 20 mins" Kate nod in response and went to her room while i rushed into the bathroom. In less thank 20 minutes I was done and heads downstairs "You ready?" grabs my mom's car key and two apples then trolls and apples to her "Yep" she catch it and smiles, we made our way out of the house, got in the car and drove off.

drops Kate off "Have fun" I waves at her as she walks inside the school, I drove straight to college, got a parking space and rush down, heads to my class, *at the door* took a deep breath then peeps, there wasn't much people in there Thank God. I got in class walk towards the middle row while checking for my best friend Abby, she noticed me and waves. Aww such a cutie, I went over to her and sits beside her "You look like shit" she touches my hair "I know I didn't have time to prepare" I replied. The lecturer came in, Time to academic lessons.

After the class we headed to the park,"let's sit over there" Abby points at a bench close to the kids playground, while walking towards the bench "My mom told me aunty is wanna be away for few days" Abby spoke up, I nods in response, she noticed I was lost in thoughts again, she hold my hands "You need a distraction, your over thinking again, ok let's go out tonight my treat" my face brightens "Where??" being curious, we sat on the bench "The club obviously" exciting tone, Oh Lord *rolls my eyes*, she hits my playfully "You're always boring, let mr brighten ur life a little" she offered whole hearted, I think she right *Lost in thoughts* suddenly I was startled,i felt something hugging my leg "Mommy" the kid hugging my leg voiced out while giggling.

Abby and I stared at each other with a shocking expression "Do you know this kid??" She asked with a suspicious and curious tone, trying to figure out what the fuck is going on, "no I don't know him, where are your parents little one" picks him and place him on my lap, i forgot to State this in my introduction *I Love Kids* waiting for his respond "Daddy's working, don't you remember me mommy, it's me Leo you left us daddy isn't the same anymore, he doesn't have time for me again " he start tearing up, I felt pain in my heart I don't like seeing kids crying,God knows I'll beat the hell out of his father if i perhaps get to meet him. I hug him "shh it's ok, stop crying it's break my heart " rubs his back, trying to stop him from crying.

A tall guy approaches our bench, he smiles at Abby "There you are leo , why did you run away" he looks at Abby and smiles "I'm really sorry for the inconvenience he must have caused you both, Leo get down from her lap we need to go" He apologize waiting for Leo to get down "No, I'm not leaving without mummy" that was when he took a closer look at me "Oh my God, he must have mistaken you for his mom,she's late, you two has similar features, I'm really sorry for the trouble " Ohh poor kid, losing his mom at a young age life truly is unfair, I was taken back when the guys phones rang, His face changed when he saw the caller ID.

After taking to the caller for few sec he turned on the speaker "Leo, get off that lady's lap right now and get your ass come immediately" The caller who I assume is his father, that man is sounds brutal "U shouldn't be taking to your who's a kid in that manner" I couldn't hold keep those words to myself, Everyone's staring at me dumbfounded. "who the fuck do you think you are?? I talk to my son in any manner I want, James take Leo back home I'm on my way" he ends the call.

James did as instructed Leo was struggling not wanting to to leave "mommy Don't let him take away from you, mommy please do something" Leo cries loudly, I couldn't do anything I just staring while fighting with my emotions,

*FLASHBACK

10 YEARS AGO

*

Emma's my Cousin

*In School,

She was 11 and I was 10

*

"Mommy can Gracy with us" Emma asked her mom hoping she'll accept, I was standing there like a lost kid also waiting for her reply,

"I'm sorry baby we can't, we have to go now, say Goodbye to Gracy" Emma's expression changed in a sad way, she hugs me tight "I'll come over by the weekend" I returned the hug with smiled "I'll be waiting for you ok" She nods and walks away with her mom.

Minutes later, my Mom came to pick me "Where's Emma" She asked looking around if she could find her. "Her mom came back few minutes ago and took her a long with her" She startled, immediately calls someone and inform them about it. Ever since that day I haven't heard or seen Emma nor her mom, it turns out her mom was mentally ill, escaped from psychiatric hospital came to the school picked up Emma and ran away.

*FLASHBACK ENDS*

"What the fuck just happened" Abby voiced with a confused expression, I didn't make any comment she leads me back to the car then we drove to her house.