16 years old Quirra Masaki stood under a black umbrella as the rain fell harder and harder. In front of her were two caskets. Inside was her Mother and on the other was her Father. She watched as the 2 most important people in her life was lowered down into their final resting place.

From her side, every one of her siblings could be heard crying and wailing as they cling to each other.

As for Quirra, she felt numb. How could she cry at a time like this? Being the oldest of 8 children, how can she cry and mourn for her parents when her younger siblings now have to rely on her? So she had to endure her feelings at the moment, at the same time she decided to be strong for her siblings who look up at her to depend on.

"Come here my little ones." Grandma Maggie called them while wiping the corners of her eye. "It's time to go back home."

-What is Home?- Quirra thought as she gathered all of her siblings together. One by one, they left their parents behind and entered several different cars.

As their cars drove back home, Quirra leaned on her set with her eyes closed. Her thoughts was on the secret conversation she had with her grandma during the wake.

"What are we supposed to do now?" She asked her grandma softly, after thinking for awhile.

"You are all going to live with me from now on." Grandma replied. "We would have to sell the house your parents owned to pay for the debts they've left behind.

At my house although there are only 4 rooms for the 9 of us, we can make it work. We have to!"

She nodded in understanding.

"The boys can share the biggest room, while the other 2 rooms can be split up by the girls." She then suggested. "Grandma you can keep your room to yourself so you can have some privacy and your own personal space."

"That's good and all but what about you?" Grandma couldn't help but worry for her and asked.

"I can just take over the couch and sleep there."

"Are you sure?"

Quirra looked her in the eyes and answered; "Very sure grandma. Since I'm the oldest, I'll be working. So I won't be home most of the time therefore I don't need a room to stay in for a long time. As long as I have a bed to sleep on, I'm okay with the couch."

Grandma Maggie was surprised with her response. "You're going to work? What about your studies?"

"Ill be dropping out and find work." Quirra replied nonchalantly, "Grandma I know you can't afford to raise all of us with just your savings and the small amount you get from the government" she added.

"But your parents had life insurances, is the money not enough to help raise all of you?"

Quirra sighed, "According to Mom and Dad's lawyer, with all their debts and the funeral, we barely have enough to survive for 2 years."

"But your education is more important!" Grandma stubbornly pointed out. If it was up to her, she doesn't want Quirra to quit school, it would such be a waste for someone smart and as talented as her.

Quirra could help but smile at her grandma as she replied; "I know grandma. But as of now, the only person who can drop-out among us siblings is me. I'll find work and help support the others continue their studies. All they need to do in return is work hard in studying. Once they all graduate, it will be my turn to go back to school and finish my education."

Gramma Maggie could only sigh deeply as she reluctantly agreed with Quirra's plan. "Just promise this old lady one thing, that you'll do as you say and finish your education after all your siblings graduate."

Quirra looked at her grandmother and held both her hands, and told her sincerely "I promise, grandma."

With tears in her eyes, Grandma Maggie pulled her for a hug. -Such a good child-, she thought as she hugged Quirra more tightly.