"Nebraska, the phone's for you!" Melissa, my boss, called to me as I spilt milk all over my apron.
"Argh!" I swore and hurriedly cleaned it up, taking the phone from her with the tips on my fingers, my hands still covered in milk. Why the hell was someone calling me while I was at work? And on the work phone number too!
"Hello?" I answered as I stepped into the storeroom where it was quiet.
"Is this Nebraska Johnston?" A dull female voice asked. I got all nervous when people used my first and last name.
"It is."
"Hi this is Principal Whitlock from Dulaney High School. You're Cody Johnston's sister, is that correct?"
"Yeah, but, look I'm at work, could you not have called my father?"
"He is unavaliable."
I sighed. "Of course he is," I mumbled.
"Can you please come down to the school, your brother has disobeyed school rules."
I frowned at her words. "Uh... Yeah, sure. I'll be there as soon as I can." This wasn't like Cody, he was always a good student.
I hung up and pulled of my milk-soaked apron, drying my hands on my shirt. "Mel?!" I called as I walked out of the storeroom.
"What's up Nebraska?" She stepped away from the till.
"Uh, I have to go. My brother's in some trouble at school apparently, and I have to go and sort it out."
"Of course, take your time love."
I exhaled loudly and grabbed my coat and bag, hurrying out to the parking lot.

-

I entered the principals office to find my brother sitting on one of the uncomfortable plastic chairs with his head down.
"Hello Nebraska, please sit down," Ms Whitlock said and I sat down warily. "I have called you in here today to discuss your brothers behaviour in the past few weeks.
"Uh, okay..."
"Are you aware that he has skipped four days of school in the past two weeks?"
"No?" I said, surprised. "I was never told." I frowned and looked across at Cody. He kept his head down.
"Today, he and a few other boys were caught with illicit substances in the boys bathroom."
"Cody," I breathed. He avoided my gaze and turned his face away. "Is this true?" I said louder. "Cody?"
He sighed and nodded slightly.
"I am not going to expel him, but if this happens again, I may be forced to. He is suspended from school for 3 days and will attend 2 weekend detentions," Ms Whitlock said as she filled in a form and handed it to Cody. He groaned at his punishment and stood up.
"Um... I will let our father know, and Cody will make sure that it doesn't happen again. Thank you Ms Whitlock. Have a good afternoon," I said awkwardly and stood up as well, Cody following me like a puppy that just got told off.

-

I pulled into the driveway of my fathers house and parked my car. "Get inside before Dad get's home or you'll be dead. I'll let him know later."
"Nebraska, I'm sorry."
"Are you? Are you really? Sorry that you did it or sorry you got caught?!" My voice raised and Cody tried to avoid my eye contact.
"...Both I guess. Being me isn't easy okay! With Mom gone-"
"Don't say it Cody! Don't tell me that life's harder because I already fucking know that! And by screwing your life up you're not making it any easier!"
"You don't understand! God I hate you!"
"Don't you dare! Get out." I screamed and Cody gritted his teeth and got out, slamming the door behind him.
I sat there in my seat, my hands shaking a little. Great, now I was losing my brother. At this rate I wasn't going to have any family left at all.

-

I closed the door behind me and took a deep breath before walking into the kitchen, attempting to avoid contact with Alex and Jack who were in the lounge room drinking and watching some form of sport.
"Hrrrr Nbrrrskrrr!" Alex said through a mouthful of crisps. Jack waved and skulled the rest of his beer. Alex swallowed the food and frowned at the look I was so desperately trying to hide. "What's up?" He said, patting the empty spot on the couch next to him. I bit my lip and plonked myself down.
"Cody got in trouble at school."
"What? But he's a good kid?"
"Yeah, not anymore apparently. He's skipped four days in the past two weeks. And he got caught with drugs today."
"No way..."
I nodded and buried my face in my hands. "Mhmm."
Alex patted my knee awkwardly. "It'll be okay."
I groaned and pulled my hands away. "No, Alex. I actually don't think it will be. We can pretend that nothing has happened and that everything is okay, but majority of the time I can't deal with it. I can't do this."
"Yes you can," he said bluntly, and kissed me on the cheek. And with that, he got up and left the room. I looked over at Jack, dumbstruck. He just nodded and turned his attention back to the game.

-

"Ugh, seriously?" I moaned as the doorbell rang. It was 12:30 at night and I had only just managed to fall asleep. Alex stirred next to me. Yeah, I had taken to sleeping in his bed.
"I'll get it," he mumbled and got out of bed, wandering out of the room and to the front door in only his sweatpants. I heard a male voice and wondered who the hell would be at the door so late.
"Uh, Nebraska..." Alex called down the hall. "Can you please come here."
I sighed and got up, pulling one of Alex's jumpers on over my singlet and pyjama shorts. I paused at the sight of a police officer at the front door. I swear my heart lurched into my mouth. Again? Really?