My Foster Sister

Chapter One-Awkward Silences

I stare at the girl as she picks up one of her suit cases and follows my mom up the stairs. She's wearing a tight grey tank top tucked into a short pink skirt, with at least four inch black heels. She has a skinny body and dark red hair. When she entered I saw that her sharp face was decorated with layers of make up. She walks confidently, although I notice a slight hesitation in her every step. She struggles to carry her black suit case up the stairway, but my mom is carrying her other two without effort. Mom said her name was Jessica. Well welcome to your new home, Jessica.

"What are you doing?" I twirl around quickly with my hand over my heart to see my fifteen year old brother staring at me suspiciously. As soon as I calm my fast heart beat, I blow out a breath of air. I walk over to the kitchen island and take a seat, still facing him.

"I was just observing the foster girl," I tell Brian, looking up at his tall form. Brian's two years younger than me, and just about 6 foot. He's wearing a red t-shirt and blue jeans-his usual. We share the same dirty blonde hair, but I wear it better. We look pretty similar except that he has clear blue eyes, while I have light grey eyes. Brian's pretty tall and lanky, but he does have a bit of muscle.

He raises an eyebrow at me.

"You're kind of creepy, you know that, right?" He says, walking out of the kitchen, across the living room, and to the stairs. My house isn't too big or too small. We have a two story house that is neatly decorated, curtesy to my mom. We all have our own bedroom, thank goodness.

"Where are you going?" I ask curiously. I get off the stool to go to my room. It's Saturday evening and I still have some homework to do.

Brian stops at the stairs and turns to me, waiting for me to catch up. Together we go up the carpeted stairs.

"To see the girl. She's your age, isn't she?" Brian inquires. I nod my head. Out of the limited information mom gave me yesterday regarding Jessica, she did tell me her age: 17.

When we get to the top of the stairs, we come across the hallway. If we went left down the hallway, we would reach our parents's bedroom, which is across from Brian's bedroom, and also the laundry room. Brian has his own bathroom, as do my parents.

But we take a right down the hallway. On this side all the way at the end is my bedroom. To the left of my bedroom is what I call my library. It's the smallest room in the house and it's outlined with wooden shelves full of my books. In one corner between two shelves, there is my incredibly comfortable blue chair. That's definitely my favorite room in the house. Anyway, across the hall from my bedroom is the guest bedroom which is now Jessica's. Across from my library is the bathroom that Jessica and I will now share.

Brian and I stop in front of Jessica's bedroom. As Brian knocks on the door, I look down at my black boots. My skinny jeans tuck perfectly inside them. Today I'm wearing my loose black and white long sleeved shirt. It has on it the newspaper from when Abraham Lincoln abolished slavery. Not that I'm obsessed with the civil war, but I do love the vintage newspaper look. My dirty blonde hair is down, and frankly, it's a mess.

Mom opens the door and ushers Brian and I into Jessica's room. I guess my homework can wait, then. We step in and i look around at the plain room. The walls are plain and barren and there's a bed, dresser, desk, night stand, mirror, closet, and window. Jessica is seated on her bed, with her three suit cases surrounding her.

"Jessica, this is Caroline and Brian. You'll be going to school with them on Monday, once you're all settled in. You guys can get to know each other tomorrow, I have some things planned," mom explains, clapping her hands together making her bracelets jingle. She's wearing dressy black pants and a purple blouse with her gold bracelets. Her beach blonde hair is down and her bright blue eyes are wide open in excitement. She's been anxious to bring home Jessica and get her settled in.

"Hi," Jessica says giving us a forced smile.

"Hello," I reply and Brian nods at her. We stand in an awkward silence for a few seconds, not knowing what to say.

"Well I'm going to take a shower and get ready for bed. Your father will be home in about an hour, so stay here and help Jessica unpack," mom tells Brian and I. We nod and she leaves.

It gets quiet again. Jessica stares at us, while Brian and I stare back. I take a deep breath. I know Brian won't start a conversation, so that leaves me to.

"So what can we help you unpack?" I ask before shoving my hands in my pockets.

"Um I'd rather unpack alone," she says and pulls out her phone. Brian and I make eye contact and he shrugs. We stand there awkwardly again.

"Well then we'll leave you to it," Brian remarks and walks out of the room. I follow him, but turn around before I leave.

"Hey Jessica," I say into the silence. She looks up from her phone.

"If you need anything or want to talk or anything, I'm right across from you." I finish quickly. I mean what I say, I really do, I'm just so bad with being emotional.

She nods, so I turn around and exit. I have a feeling tomorrow will be a long day.