Finding My Way Home - Short Story

Chpt. 7 - A New Place

"Do you need to get something from your place before we leave?" Hailey asked as we stood up from the bench in the park.

I had never been here before just to enjoy the view. I was always busy doing something. I had never stopped and just sat down and relaxed. But it was a great spot. I definitely want to come back some other time.

"Um, I do." I felt guilty, having to walk all the way back there but it might get stolen and I don't know how long I'll be gone.

"That's okay, I parked my car over there anyway." Oh, silly me. Of course she didn't come on foot. I wonder how far the drive is going to be.

-

As we made our way back, I walked closer to her but still held a reasonable amount of distance between us.

I crawled into the space to grab my things as she waited outside. It wasn't like she could actually come in, it wasn't big enough.

I decided to just take everything with me. And made sure to put my blades on the bottom of the bag that she had given me.

When I had made sure I had everything, I came out and looked at the place I had been staying in for the past couple of weeks one more time before we left.

As we were driving to her house, I was getting really nervous. Hopefully this won't be like the other foster homes I had stayed in.

I had been in foster care for three years before I had run away. In that time, I had been to two different houses that might wanted to adopt me. But because I was already pretty old, they said no after some time. People who want to adopt tend to go for the really young ones.

I didn't mind though, it wasn't a great experience when I was there.

At one house, the other kids bullied me and the first home just wanted me to do their chores. I never felt like I belonged. All I've ever wanted was someone who loves me for who I am.

-

It was about a 15 minute drive before we arrived. It looked like she lived in an apartment.

"I want you to know that, if at any moment you want to leave, you can. Just tell me okay?" Nodding my head, I nervously looked outside at the building that I will be staying at.

"Are you ready?"

"Yes." I took a deep breath and grabbed the bag before opening the car door.

We walked to the apartment building and I followed her as she made her way to the elevator. She pressed the number 5 and we slowly went up.

Hailey stopped at the end of the hall and opened the door with her keys before stepping inside. I followed in after and slowly took in my surroundings.

It wasn't too big, but it was beautiful and cozy. It looked perfect. It made me feel like I was a puzzle piece that got placed in the wrong puzzle because of how dirty I look.

"Let me show you the guest bedroom. I haven't made the bed yet, but you can put your stuff there for now." She walked down a corridor where I could see three doors.

I guessed two were bedrooms and one was the bathroom.

She opened the last door and as I walked in, I saw that it was pretty empty and not too big. It mainly just had a bed and a closet.

But to me, that little room looked like a whole house. And it was just for myself.

"It's not much and a bit bare, rarely anyone sleeps here. Hopefully it's okay." She said she she opened the curtains and then the closet, taking out what looked like cheets for the bed.

"It's more than I could've ever asked for. Thank you." She gave me a smile in response.

"You're welcome. Come on, I'll show you the rest." I put the bag with my belongings on the bed and followed her out.

"Opposite of the guest room is the bathroom and my room is beside the guest room." She said, and then walked back to the living area.

"And here is the kitchen and living room. There is also a little balcony but it's not that big." I nodded my head as I went along.

I was still a bit in denial about the fact that I'm actually going to be staying here. I seems like a dream that I'm about to wake up from.

"I do have to work later, so I won't be home then. But I'll ask if I can go earlier. It should be okay, because I covered for someone a week ago."

"You don't need to do that."

"I do. I'm not going to leave you here alone. Not because I don't trust you, but because it's a new place. I wouldn't want to be alone for hours after just coming here."

"Okay."

"I need to leave in two hours, so I can get you settled in before that." She said out loud, but more so to herself.

"Why don't you go and have a shower, would that be nice?" A fresh warm shower? I haven't had one in a while. I honestly would like that very much.

"That would be amazing." I said. I watched as she held out her hand and I slowly walked closer and put my smaller one in her slightly larger hand.

She led me to the bathroom and showed me how the shower worked. She also put a fluffy towel ready for when I was done.

"Would you be more comfortable in your own clothes or would you like some of mine after you are done?" She asked me.

"Y-Yours?" I shyly said in a questioning way. I didn't want to have my first shower in a long time and wear my dirty clothes after. But I understand what she meant.

"Allright, I'll give you a shirt and some sweatpants, but they might be a bit big on you." She let me know before she left to go get them.

She was so nice. I still couldn't believe this was real.