Anh never intended to be the only person raising her little brother, Cherie. Yet she was chosen for the responsibility because of her and Cherie’s parents being absent. It was stressful but her love for Cherie pulled through and made it easier. Cherie wasn’t difficult to raise, he was calm and quiet. The worst he’d do is pick a fight in school, but so what? He’s a middle schooler, things happen.

Anh loved to sing, she always has since she was little girl. She sung everyday, every holiday, every event, she sung at talent shows and performances. You name it. Singing was what made her happy, but with all the pressure and stress, she picked up smoking. A few cigarettes wouldn’t hurt, right? But Cherie always freaked out. Stomping out her cigarettes, or just being a moody teenager about it, huffing and not talking to her. Anh sighed as she thought about it. She had developed lung cancer before, but beat it, though she didn’t stop smoking, she just cut back, otherwise Cherie would be on her ass constantly.

She lived with Cherie still, and Cherie is currently 17-18. He was studying to get into a college and he’d recently met this boy in his earlier years of high school, his name was Crush. Anh hadn’t met him but Cherie seemed very enamored with this boy, she wasn’t a fan of it but she let it slide. But if anyone dare hurt her Cherie, she’d be out for blood. Anh had been more rugged since the years went on, you don’t just stay kind and sweet, raising your little brother with anger issues and all, alone. She was tougher, more sarcastic and took less shit, but she still adored her little brother, he was the only one she had a soft spot for.

Anh took a drag of her cigarettes while sitting on the steps of the porch of her and Cherie’s apartment. She sighed and thought about everything. About how Cherie would be leaving for college soon.