And Then There Were Four (Lilith Carrie)

Grabbing my black leather jacket, I slid on my tennis shoes and snatched my backpack on the way out of my room. Never in my life did I find myself excited to go to school until I was so close to finishing. It was the best birthday present a girl could have, finishing school The moment my feet hit the floor at the bottom of the stairs, the chaos of my family consumed me. My younger siblings ran around screaming and yelling at each other. My mother was busy making lunches in the kitchen while my father, James, finished preparing

two days before you turned eighteen.

breakfast.

It was a whirlwind of chaos, but I loved it.

It reminded me I was real sometimes, and within the chaos surrounding me, I felt nothing but love. Even if the majority of them got on my nerves half the time.

"Oh, Cassie." My mother smiled as she wiped her hands on a kitchen towel. "Can you do me a huge favor on your way home today, please?"

Letting out a soft sigh, I pushed a smile onto my face. "Sure, what's up?"

"Can you just run by the pharmacy and pick up Tatum's medicine, please? It would be a huge help. He isn't having the best day today, and I don't want to take him out. Not to mention everyone else is busy..." Tatum was the youngest of my siblings at only nine, and unfortunately, last year was diagnosed with a rare condition that quickly changed all of our lives. "Of course, Mom. No problem."

Tatum's eyes met mine as he rounded the corner into the kitchen, coughing. The dark swells under his eyes were a huge contrast to his pale white skin, and every time I saw him, I prayed I had the power to change his fate. "Cassie." He smiled as he wrapped his arms around my waist. "Are you leaving for school?"

home a little early today, though, since it's only a half day. Maybe when I get home, we can climb into my bed and watch a movie. Does that sound good to you?" I asked, watching his eyes light up with excitement. "Yes. I can't wait! We can watch the new dinosaur

"Alright, sweetie. Cassie has to get going, so why don't you go eat your breakfast daddy made, and then we can get you sorted for the

hesitate to

my mother happy because out of all

the only one

was here, I tried to imagine what it would be

have dad's amazing breakfasts or even mom's homemade lunches. The

of

but pursuing

becoming a doctor wasn't

was willing to give up. Even if no one knew, that's what I

front door, causing

coming. Galm

response seemed to

after grabbing a piece of foast from the counter, quickly followed him out the