I’m a 17-year-old male, and ever since my grandpa passed away, I’ve been living with my mom. After we got evicted, we moved into my late grandpa’s house—which is now falling apart. My mom hasn’t had a job in over a year. She’s in a toxic relationship with a man who cheats on her, and they argue constantly—sometimes late at night, throwing things, even getting physical—while I’m trying to sleep for school.

I’ve told school staff and trusted adults about my situation. I didn’t call CPS, but others did after seeing what I was dealing with. I’ve even called the police during fights. But whenever anyone checks in, my mom and her boyfriend clean the house and act like everything’s fine—then accuse me of lying or “starting drama.”

The house is barely livable. The roof is leaking and falling in. There are holes in the walls and boarded-up windows from their fights. We haven’t had a working tub or sink for months, so I have to bathe at my aunt’s or stepdad’s house. We go without electricity for 1–3 weeks almost every month, and my mom always has a different excuse—either the bill is paid or “the system is down.”

She took my and my sister’s government IDs and Social Security info saying it was to get help from the school—but she also said the bill was already paid. It never adds up. Meanwhile, she’s constantly begging her boyfriend or others for $5 to buy cigarettes. If only she had that motivation for getting a job or paying bills.

I get food and hygiene products from school or church, but even that doesn’t last long—and they sometimes spoil from having no electricity. My mom and her boyfriend constantly go through my room while I’m gone, stealing food, deodorant, clothes—even my $200 shoes and school backpack. When I speak up, I get called slurs, told I’m selfish, or told to just “let it go.”

I even tried getting a job months ago—not for myself, but to help pay the bills. But I don’t have a ride, and the nearest place is a 30-minute walk. The supervisor at the job I applied for wouldn’t hire me… but recently got fired for drunk driving, so I plan to apply again now that he’s gone.

What hurts most is how hard I’ve been trying to stay focused on my future. For the past two years, I’ve been working toward a career in game development. I 3D model and script games in Roblox Studio, and I’ve done commission work for a front page game with 10,000+ concurrent players—some of which have been featured in official Roblox events. I’ve built a name for myself, and plan to convert the robux I made into USD as soon as I am able to get a account and sign this tax forum.

But with the electricity constantly going out and the toxic environment at home, I can’t even focus on my passion anymore. I can’t work, I can’t do commissions, I can’t do online school. It’s like my progress is being ripped away from me.

Recently, I got to go on a school trip to Baton Rouge for the state literary rally—I placed 1st in my division. It was the first time in a long time I felt peace and joy. But as soon as my friend dropped me off back home, I gave my mom a piece of my mind. She started yelling. I slammed my door in frustration, and when she barged in, I held it shut. She almost broke it—it’s now loose and unhinged.

She threatened to call the cops on me and said, “It’s not what you want, little [n-word],” before telling me she and her boyfriend are leaving to stay two towns over. I could either go with them or find someone else to stay with. I chose the second option.

Right now, I’m using someone else’s Wi-Fi just to write this. I’m on a laptop my grandpa gave me before he died—one of the only things I have left that hasn’t been stolen.

When I spoke to my mom, I told her: “I know it’s not what I want—it’s what I need. I need you to stop stealing from me. I need a working tub to bathe. I need electricity so I don’t freeze. I need food, clean clothes, and hygiene products. These are basic human needs.”

People at school think I’m always smiling and upbeat, but the stress is starting to show in my behavior. I’m not trying to be rebellious or disrespectful—I’m just trying to survive and build a better life.

AITA for continuing to speak out and trying to leave this environment?