“Dumb dog,” Hailey huffed as she hustled down the street. The glare of the muscular boy she had just passed was still hot against her back. “You always have to go getting in trouble, don’t you, Ellie?”

She rounded the corner fast, now out of sight of his searching green eyes, and made her way up the driveway to her house.

What was he staring at?

She shook her head and reached into her pocket for the house key. A sly smirk appeared on her face as she replayed him kicking the plastic football helmet in his front yard.

Typical football player.

A loud bark from Ellie had her turning back before she could open the door. Her father blasted the horn on his car.

“Daddy!” she yelled childishly, fighting the excited corgi, which had redoubled its efforts to escape.

“Sorry, sweetie!” Her father quickly jumped out and extended the bag in his hand. “But I brought dinner!”

Wonderful, more fast food.

The little corgi quieted at his voice. She gently unlocked the door and held it open for him as he briskly skipped inside the house.

“Daddy, what did I tell you about always going out for dinner? We’ve been to that stupid shop a hundred times already.”

She unhooked Ellie’s leash, who quickly sprinted to the couch and jumped on an older girl who was staring blankly at the TV.

“Melissa, sweetheart, I brought dinner.” He kissed Hailey’s older sister on the head as he passed by. She didn’t respond.

This must be a bad day.

Melissa stood slowly before sluggishly dragging her body out of the room.

Poor Melissa.

Her sister’s brown hair was frayed and matted like it had not been washed in days, and she still had on the same pajama pants she’d worn all last week.

“How was Ellie on the walk?” Her dad pulled out salads as Hailey entered the kitchen.

“Good. You know her, always getting into trouble.” She was trying to engage in the conversation, but her mind kept creeping back to her sister, who had finally taken a seat at the table.

“Hey Melissa, maybe you should go with Hails next time she takes the dog for a walk? I know it’s been a scorcher, but it might be nice to get outside.”

What are you doing, Daddy?

Hailey glared intently over at her father, who merely smiled and put the salads down on the table. The silence that followed built into an awkward tension as they both awaited an answer.

“Yeah, maybe,” Melissa muttered softly. “Maybe next time.” She took a few small bites and went silent again.

Not a chance.

Hailey could not help but sigh; her father kept his fake smile on. They grabbed their plastic containers and silverware before taking a seat at the circular wooden table. For a few moments, the only sound was thatof the TV in the other room, which murmured throughout their meal.

I hate family dinners.

For Hailey, the unspoken horror that had happened to her sister was a constant presence, and watching Melissa suffer through each day was becoming an unbearable sight that typically left Hailey without an appetite.

“So.” Her father flashed another forced grin. “Are you excited for the first day of school, Hails?”

He took a quick bite and tilted his head to her.

Is that a serious question?