It had been an eventful morning for the Jenson sisters. They had been up since dawn to clean the entire house and make it as welcoming as possible for the social worker who would show up that same day.

And, when they were done, it was barely ten in the morning and the two girls felt like they had just gone through an endless day and it was finally time to go to bed.

Lulu put a cigarette between her lips, bringing a lighter near the end of the stick, when Zahia shook her head disapprovingly, "She's here in an hour, if you wanna smoke, you do it outside."

And the younger one pushed her out of the house.

Lulu sat on the porch, trying to control her nerves before they would get the best out of her, when her phone started ringing.

She smiled before picking up, "Hey Enolla!"

"Hi Lulu! How are you?"

The woman had no clue about the social worker —or even the cops, "I'm good! How are you?"

"Lulu, I have amazing news," she chirped joyfully.

"What is it?" Lulu asked, letting out a small chuckle.

"You got the part."

Lulu let her eyes wander all around her, very confused by what she had just heard. She had had a few auditions during the winter break but she didn't expect a news like this right now.

When Enolla didn't get any reaction, she spoke again, "For the Refn movie! He absolutely adored you!"

"Are you serious?"

Enolla was giggling excitedly on the other end of the phone, "Yes! He kept saying you were perfect for the role!"

Lulu looked up at the sky, smiling from ear to ear, "I can't fucking believe it! I've been wanting to work with him since—"

"You were fifteen and saw Drive, yep, I know!" Enolla said, "And it's happening!"

"Oh my god, I could cry right now!"

Enolla laughed, "Look, you can come by later next week to sign the contract and then you'll have to start your work with him. I'll fill out the paperwork for your school—"

"Wait, wait, wait," Lulu interrupted, "When does it start?"

"In a month."

That was when Lulu was brutally brought back to the real world. Because there was absolutely no way their mother would be back home in a month. And, even if she was, she would probably be prosecuted for abandoning her children, which meant Lulu wouldn't be able to take the job. Or she could be selfish and still go for it.

But, she would never have to think before choosing between a job and the only family she had left.

"Lulu?"

The girl hadn't noticed the prickly feeling in her eyes, suddenly filled with tears at the thought of saying no to something she desperately wanted, "Y-Yeah, hm... I'm... I'm sorry but I can't."

"What?"

"A month is too soon... I can't leave Zahia, I just... I can't."

"What? No, no, you can't say that," Enolla stressed, "Listen, this is a one time opportunity..."

And Enolla was right, it was the opportunity of a lifetime. A part in a movie like this one would most certainly secure her career for the upcoming years.

But her career was no longer a priority right now.

"Yeah... but I have to stay with Zahia," Lulu muttered with a voice crack, "I'm so sorry..."

Enolla remained silent for a few seconds, Lulu nervously lighting another cigarette and rubbing a hand under her wet eyes.

"Don't say you're sorry. If I could find a solution for you and your sister, trust me, I would," Enolla said, "Please, don't be so definitive about it. Imma go work my charms on the producer and see if they can reschedule the whole thing."

Lulu shook her head, "Reschedule an entire movie? Yeah, you got a lot of faith in your charms."

Enolla let out a soft chuckle, "I like the sound of your sarcasm. Okay, I'll keep you updated."

The young girl ended the call, feeling like she had turned down one of the greatest jobs she would ever get in her life. She bit her trembling lip, slowly putting some distance, and finished her cigarette, unaware that Zahia had heard the whole thing when she had wanted to bring a cup of coffee to her sister.

... ... ...

The sisters had shown the house to Mary, trying to make small talk and make the moment less formal than it was.

They circled their way back to the kitchen as Mary looked at the two sisters, "Is it okay if I have a conversation with you, Lulu?"

"Uh, yeah, sure."

"Great," Mary replied, "I'll have one with you right after, Zahia."

Zahia shot a doleful look at her sister before stepping out of the room, disappearing into the corridor leading to the bedrooms.

Mary sat down at the kitchen table, "So, how are you, Lulu?"

Lulu had grabbed two cups and was filling one with coffee, "Hm, good, good. Do you want some coffee?"

Mary opened a notebook, "Yes, thank you."

The young girl took a deep breath as she felt her hands shaking from the nerves and rapidly gave her the cup before she could notice anything.

"Thank you for having me over today," Mary smiled, "You two are very sweet."

Lulu sipped her coffee, unable to open her mouth to say something that wouldn't be sarcastic. They had had no choice but to let Mary come into their home and she probably held the fate of their lives between her hands.

"I can tell you're nervous," Mary pointed out, "Now, I'm not trying to do anything that would hurt any of you. I'm just here to help."

Lulu nodded, "Yeah, I know..."

"I just want to know how you are dealing with all of this," she asked, "With school and your sister. It can't be easy on you."

Now, Lulu could lie and say she managed everything at home with ease. She was talented enough to make her buy it. But she also knew that Mary could definitely call her school and have access to her report cards.

"Yeah, it's... it's not easy everyday," Lulu confessed, "I'm not gonna pretend it is."

She nervously started tapping her nails on the table, recalling all the things she had to do, "I'm really bad at school. Since, like, forever. Basically."

Mary smiled at the girl's honesty, writing down a few things on her notebook.

"But... I feel like, like, I've always done what I'm doing now that... our mom's gone," Lulu said, "Cause she was honestly a mess."

"Yeah?"

Lulu opened her eyes wide, "Oh yeah... she lost her mind, I think."

"So, she wasn't like that before?"

"No... she was," Lulu started, hardly gulping, "She was the perfect mom."

Lulu remembered all those nights, laying in bed, when she prayed the loving and caring mother she knew would eventually come back. Hoping it was just a phase. Hoping she would get help.

It never happened.

Lulu blinked, "But Zahia and I, we're.. we're good for each other. I wouldn't be able to do any of this without her."

Mary softly hummed, "I can tell. There's a lot of love when you are together."

"Yeah... she's my rock."

The two women explored the family's dynamic for a long time before Mary asked the question she had in mind the whole time, "And... from what I see all over the internet, you are a very successful woman in the movie industry. Congratulations on all the nominations, that's amazing."

Lulu smiled, covering her rosy cheeks, "Thanks..."

"I wanted to know," Mary started, "Would you be ready to turn down an acting opportunity to take care of your sister?"

Lulu's face fell, turning white and slowly saddening at the way the conversation had turned. She knew Mary was there to judge if Lulu was stable enough to take care of her little sister, but she also knew that she was here to make sure they would both be able to live the lives they wanted and deserved.

"Hm, there's, there's no right or wrong way to answer this," Mary added, feeling the tension in the room.

And Mary was right. Because if Lulu said she wouldn't turn down any job offer, Zahia would be taken away from her. But if she admitted that she would be willing to sacrifice her career for her younger sister, Mary would still split them up so Lulu could pursue her dreams.

But Zahia was her everything and she hoped that refusing some opportunities would allow them to be together just a little longer.

"Yes," Lulu bluntly replied, "Yes I would. Roles don't matter. They come and they go, just like that," she said, snapping her fingers.

Lulu was now sitting straight, unafraid to say what was on her mind. Unafraid to admit that she was willing to sacrifice everything she ever had if it meant she would stay here with her sister.

She didn't care that her life was a mess, she didn't care about the spotlight or the fame. All of these things were temporary. And it hurt to say no to something she had dreamed of for years. Hell, she knew. She had done that an hour ago.

But she couldn't even imagine the pain she would have to go through if she was ever separated from her sister.

"My sister's the only family I have left," Lulu spoke confidently, "So if I have to dedicate my life to her, I will. Trust me on that, I would never do what my parents did."

... ... ...

, who's crying? am i the only one? do you guys hate me? i hate myself...

but mary sounds nice! and props to lulu for putting herself second, she loves zahia sooooo much

what do you think will happen to them???

also, i dont wanna tease too much but there's something huge happening to lulu soon and im not sure ya'll are going to like it, what are your predictions???