Scarlett was preparing lunch for the family. The others had gone to work and she was the only one at home. The first person to come back from work was usually her. She would always come back early to prepare lunch or dinner for the others. The main door opened and her brother walked in.

" You're home, Scarlett." Jimmy her little brother said.

" I'm always home early. Were you expecting the house to be empty? " She asked looking at him suspiciously.

" No why would I do that?  I was thinking you'd stay long at work today. " He said innocently.

" Were you expecting someone? " She asked and he nodded.

" Yes. And it's a girl. "  He said and sat on the mountain across her. " Seems my plan got ruined."

" Jimmy you should stop messing around with these girls. "

" I'm not messing with them. They're the ones who's always hanging around. She's the first girl I've actually paid attention to. " He defended himself and she sighed.

" I trust you Jimmy but I don't trust those girls and I don't want to see you hurt."

" I know. "

...

Scarlet's mum came home the same time as her father. Her mother smiled as she saw the already arranged dinner table but her father frowned. He had never liked nor appreciated anything she does . He had always seen her as an outsider even if she had been with them for twelve years. She had lost her parents when she was roughly eight and his wife had begged that they took her in so their son could have someone to play with and he agreed at that time since she couldn't give him any other child again but now he wanted her out of the house.

" Good evening dad, mum." Scarlett said happily.

" Good evening. How was work today?" Her mum asked.

" It was great. How was yours?" She asked smiling.

" The usual. Jimmy how was your project?" Her father asked. He had no time to engage in a conversation with an outsider.

" Exhausting. The girls in my team were so awkward. They stared at me through out. " Jimmy said. Although he liked the attention he was given but he hated the way the girls behaved. He was barely eighteen yet every girl wanted him to be her boyfriend.

" That's what you get for being handsome." Scarlett teased.

" Watch your words with my son!" Her father said.

" Honey it's alright. Scarlett was just teasing him. " Her mother said softly.

" She should watch her teasing. Go tease someone else and not my son. He doesn't need you."

" Dad.... " Jimmy cried and Scarlett sniffed. She was used to father's curses and hate but she still felt bad anytime he did it.

" I'm sorry dad. "She  said softly. She stood up from the dining and went to her room.

" Must you always be harsh towards her? She's our daughter too. " Her mother said.

" Your daughter not mine. "

" Dad, Scarlett is my sister. Treat her with some respect. " Jimmy said and stood up.

" Don't try to divide my family. " Her mother said and stood up also.

" Where are you going to?"

" I lost my appetite." She said and went to their room. They lived in a three bedroom apartment but used only two rooms.

" She's against me because of that girl that has cost us so much problem." Her father murmured as he ate alone.

Jimmy entered the room he shared with Scarlett. She was the corner of the room with her head down.

" Scar..." Jimmy said softly as he walked towards her.

" Why does father hate me so much. What have I ever done to him? " She cried.

" It's alright. Father doesn't hate you, he loves you. He's just being paranoid sometimes. Please don't take it to heart. We love you. " He said and hugged her.

" Jimmy's right , Scarlett. We all love you. " Her mother said as she sat on the bed.

" Thank you. " She smiled. She looked at her mother carefully and noticed that her face was pale. " Mum are you alright? "

" Yes yes. I'm fine. I'm just a little tired. That's all."  She said as she tried to stand up but fell back on the bed.

" Mum! Mum! " Scarlett yelled as she shook her. She was doing alright just now. What happened?

" Dad help! " Jimmy yelled and their father ran into the room. He pushed Scarlett from her body and carried her outside. He took a cab to the hospital and Jimmy and Scarlett followed behind.

" Scar is mum going to be okay?" Jimmy asked.

" I don't know. " She whispered.

...

" Doctor what's wrong with my mother?"

" What's wrong with my wife? " They asked when the doctor came out of the ICU after several minutes.

" Are you the family of the patient?" The doctor asked and they nodded.

" What's wrong with her? " Scarlett's father asked.

" I'm sorry. Your wife has been diagnosed with a  deadly kidney disease. She has barely two weeks to live if her kidney isn't replaced soon. " The doctor said.

" Kidney? "

" Yes. We have to do a transplant soon if you want your wife to be alive. " The doctor said and patted his shoulder. " I'm sure you'll think of something." He smiled and walked away.

" Mum has a bad kidney. We don't have enough money to buy her drugs let alone do a transplant. " Jimmy said. Scarlett remained silent cuz if she talked, her father would pass the blame to her.

" We'll think of something. " Her father said . They went into the ward where her mother was and she was on the bed sleeping peacefully.

" Why didn't you tell us mum? How could you keep such a thing from us?" Scarlett asked tearfully as she knelt close to her. " Mum you have to stay strong for us. You have to stay alive. We need you." She said lowly.

" You guys go home. I'll stay here with her. " Her father said and she stood up.

" Get well soon mum. I'll do everything possible for you to have that transplant even if it's to sacrifice myself. " She said and pecked her mother's forehead.