The air conditioning is on full, or that's what the dial says, but I can feel the sweat causing my t-shirt to stick to my back against the fake leather seats of Marcus' car as we embark on hour two of the drive to our next house."I want you to promise me you won't get into trouble here." Marcus glances at me nervously from the corner of his eye as he drives. He's uncomfortable around me, they always are, my reputation frightens them. But, they all want to be the one to 'get through to the troubled kid' so he spent nearly the first full hour trying to befriend us and now, as per Social Worker training 101, he's going to attempt to reason with us, thinking he's got us onside and he'll be able to successfully manipulate us into the perfect little foster kids. It's a waste of his breath, we kn

We've been at Maggie's for a couple of weeks now and as unusual as she is, I'm pretty sure the boys are safe with her when I'm not around and it's been nice, her place actually feels like a real home, which is a first in what seems like forever.For the last few days I've been wandering around looking for a job, figuring if I can pay her some rent, she might let me stay in the house after I turn eighteen and I won't lose my brother's again.I've come to realise it's not the easiest of tasks when I look the way I do, I get that I'm not overly approachable, but it's frustrating when I'm filling in application after application and as soon as they see me it's "we'll call you if anything comes up" with a look in their eye that says they definitely won't be calling. Last night Mason actually came up with a

Bob and Connor's argument got rid of the rich idiots who have turn up for the third night this week, as well as the terrified looking girls they were trying it on with. After handing the two guys a pint each, they wandered back outside happily, trying to discuss some match they watched last night, although from the sounds of it, Bob was talking about football and Connor about Rugby, so god knows where that conversation is going to wind up. After the majority of the guys leave, I cash up the till, collect all the glasses and stick them in the dishwasher ready for tomorrow before doing a quick sweep around the bar and clearing away the few bits of rubbish I find. Simon's still slumped on the edge of the bar, an untouched pint by his head that he clearly doesn't need, so I pick it up, slowly, careful not to disturb him and pour it away, placing the glass back exactly where it was before I nudge him awake.. "Ah, Jake, jus' need to finish me drink 'n' I'll go 'ome." He picks up his glas

 I storm back into the house, not wanting to continue seeing the accusation in those girls' eyes.I fucking saved her from being raped and she thinks I'd have sex with her when she was that out of it. What sort of bloke does that? That twisted posh fucker, that's who, and she thinks I'm capable of that too.  This is why I don't talk to people! They're generally awful and make you feel like shit! I grumble away to myself, stopping when I realise Lloyd and Mason are still talking to the girls outside. I'm about to call them again when I hear her tell him to bring me.and Kian along to wherever they're going. Well fuck that! I'm not going anywhere! 

I have no idea what I'm doing even considering going over to Kim's tonight, she's like a tornado that just sweeps you up and drags you along in the wake of her plans. She's text me twice this afternoon, once to let me know to come over around four so we can watch as many episodes as possible this evening, and the second time to ask about what we like on our pizza so she can get it in advance. At three I hear the chaos that indicates my brother's have come home from wherever they were when I went looking this morning.  "Jake, we got you some biscuits, Lloyd said bourbons are your favourite." Maggie holds up the packet and I shoot Lloyd a look.  He's already smirking, knowing full well he's tricked her into buying his favourite instead of mine.