Mood Music- Walking in the Wind by One Direction
I opened my eyes at the alarm I'd set and sat up, looking over the room that I loved, that I'd grown up in. This was the last time I would ever wake up in this room and I wanted to embrace every moment. That was until Sasha burst through the door, jumping on my bed and smothering me in a hug.
"If every morning is going to be like this then I'm regretting moving in with you already!" I spoke, muzzled by Sash's dressing gown.
"It won't be, don't worry, but today is a special case. Our last day in the care system then we are out of here! Are you not excited?" I shifted under the covers.
"I am but... I'm scared, Sash. We've never lived on our own, how do we know we'll cope?"
"We will," She placed a hand on my shoulder, "trust me." I smiled at her, and she went back into her own room so we could begin packing our things. If my 10 years in the Dumping Ground were anything to go by, the others were most likely setting up a party for us, so we felt it best to stay out the way and make sure we had everything ready for our departure.
It only took me around an hour to shove all of my clothes into a bag- I'd never had many items to wear, often opting for the same jeans and jacket every day and switching out the t-shirt every now and then. I took my duvet out of its cover and added it to my washing bin along with the pillowcase and mattress protector and folded the duvet up onto the bare bed. It looked entirely out of the ordinary considering that room had been inhabited by me since we had moved to Ashdene Ridge, and it had literally never been empty.
The last thing I had to do was remove my pictures from the wallpaper I had grown fond of. It took me back to when I was packing up to go to St Lucia, but I pushed those thoughts aside in order to focus on the present time. You're moving in with Sasha and you're going to have the best time. Stop worrying.
The first image I peeled up was my favorite, one of Mike and I at the prom he'd held. Mike had always been a father figure to me, and that night being his last looking after us, we had to take a picture so I could remember him. And I always would- Scott could never replace the fatherly figure Mike was to us no matter how hard he tried. Sure, he was a good enough care worker, but there was no danger of attachment issues from the younger residents.
The second was an old one, of me and Floss when she had only just arrived at the DG. We both looked so young, so fresh-faced, careless. I knew I would miss her a lot, being the one I'd known the longest, but I underestimated just how much of a sister she had been to me until that moment.
The third, and the last I was going to pack, was one of me and Tyler best part of 6 years ago. We had gone out somewhere, and we'd eaten far too many sweets and taken pictures of us looking ridiculous. It had always been one of my favorites of the two of us, since the memory behind it was so fond, a reminder of the childish, carefree duo we used to be. I missed him, as my boyfriend, yes, but mainly as my best, best, friend. The person I could turn to for anything, the shoulder to cry on, the one who would never fail to make me laugh. Sure, I had Sash, and I loved her to bits, but no one would ever get me like he got me.
I wiped away a tear I didn't even know I'd let slip, and headed for the door of my room, placing my bags outside before turning back to look it over once more.
"Goodbye." I muttered as I closed the door on the place that would forever hold my dreams, nightmares and wishes.
-
"Surprise!" The residents jumped out and screamed as me and Sasha entered the living room. It was decked out with the usual bunting and balloons, with junk food scattered on the coffee table- mainly half eaten- and confetti sprawled across every surface. I could already feel myself welling up, but I couldn't cry yet, we'd only just walked down the stairs.
"Thank you guys, really. We're going to miss this place more than you'll ever know." Sasha announced, prompting me to start the speech that we were inevitably going to have to do.
"This place has been my home for, what, 10 years now? Wow, that sounds crazy to me. When I first arrived here, I would have rather been anywhere else, kicking, screaming, fighting- I was a nightmare, basically." That earned a laugh from the others, although it was 100% true.
"But an old care worker you may know as Tracy Beaker really got through to me and made me feel the most welcome here. And it's stayed that way for the past years of my life. This place has always felt like home, so much so I've almost forgot what my other one looked like. Leaving this place is going to be strange... really, really strange... and I'm going to miss every single one of you immensely. But we'll be back from time to time to visit and, May Li, you'll always be like a mum to me, so don't miss us too much!" By this point, tears were freely flowing from my eyes, with Sasha being the same, although she was desperately trying to hide it. You never know how much you'll miss it till it's gone.
"I'm not going to repeat everything Jody just said," Sasha began, the shakiness in her voice prominent, "but I just want to say thank you, to all of you. There was a point in my life where I thought being in care made me weak and I wanted nothing to do with it. But you've all made me realize that this... this makes us stronger. I'm proud that I've grown up here, and I wouldn't change it for the world. So thank you all, for being like brothers and sisters to me- sorry Dex and Murphy- but you've all been there for me through the good and the bad, and no words could ever thank you enough for that." I pulled her into a hug as the other residents clapped and cheered for us, although some were visually upset.
"What are we waiting for? Let's party!" I said, hoping to lighten everyone's moods.
And sure enough, it did, as two hours flew by between dancing and laughing and eating, and before I knew it May Li was telling us our flat was ready.
"So this is goodbye." I said, as we stood in the driveway of Ashdene Ridge with the other residents in front of us.
"Before we go, we've written a card for each of you, personalized because we were feeling generous, and we've got you all a present from each of us." Sasha started.
"We tried to make them something you'd like, but also something that would remind you of each of us. So, from me, I bought you all a chocolate biscuit shaped like a pair of boxing gloves." I handed them out, reflecting on my old love of the confectionary and how I would always campaign for there to be only chocolate biscuits available in the cupboards. Of course they were shaped like boxing gloves, too, since it was my favorite escape, and I was still going to carry on from outside the DG.
"From me, I painted you all a little portrait in a cartoon-y style." Sash had spent ages painting the portraits, making sure each one was an accurate reflection on each resident- she'd done an amazing job, they looked incredible. She handed them out, hugging each of them along the way as I had done. Just as she handed out the last painting, May Li placed a hand on my shoulder.
"We have to go I'm afraid." She said, quiet enough that it sounded with a hint of despair, but loud enough that everyone could hear. This was it.
"We love you all, and we'll meet again. I promise. Goodbye, Ashdene Ridge." I said as we got into the car May Li had already loaded up with our bags and drove off in the direction of town, the residents chasing after us, while they gradually got smaller, and smaller, and smaller, until they had vanished.
Another chapter! I promise things do start picking up, like I said we all know Jody and Sasha's leaving storylines will be HUGE so I just wanted to reflect that.
New chapter will be up next week, and thank you so much for 100 reads already! It means the world <3
All the Love
Izzy xx
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Two Hearts, One Home | | J&T
Fiksi Penggemar"It's hard when we argue, we're both stubborn, I know" Jody was adamant she wouldn't be leaving The Dumping Ground yet. She was only 18, what was the rush? However, when her best friend Sasha decides it's her time, Jody can't help but give in to the...
