Adopted by Scarlett Johansson

chapter thirty two - you didn't tell me?

The next few weeks went by quickly. Maddie now sat with Lynn, James and Olive at school even though she now recieved incredibly dirty looks from Brooklyn and her gang. Nothing had happened between Lynn and Maddie though, just a little bit of flirting and then obviously Olive and James teasing them and shipping them together non stop. Rose had gone back to her dads meaning Maddie and Scarlett had a lot more bonding time and to be honest quite a few more parties. In a responsible way of course.

The last weekend had been filled wih parties as they had celebrated Scarletts birthday with friends, family and more, all on different nights. The weekend after that had been filled with celebration as well for Thanksgiving. Maddies first thanksgiving as well. At least, a proper one with family and friends, with food and festivites. So overall the last few weeks had been great until the last day of Thanksgiving holiday.

Sunday Morning
Maddie lay in bed listening to the cities surrounding noises. There was something peaceful about lying inbed listening to the sounds around you. In your own protective bubble.
Seeing as Rose wasnt there, Maddie tended to stay in bed longer and go to bed later. As Maddie lay in bed she suddnely heared a cry from the kitchen. She quickly sat up. Listening for anything else. Another! Knowing that it was only her and scarlett in the house she jumped out of bed, threw on a jumper and ran into the kitchen. She saw Scarlett sitting at the kitchen island staring in distraught at her computer with tears running down her face.
''mum, are you okay?! mum'' after getting no response Maddie ran over to the island and shook her a bit.
''mum...mum!'' Scarlett just looked slowly up at her crying.
Confused and worried, Maddie looked at her computer. On the screen was an email. Maddie froze. The email was from the adoption agency Ms Roberts had been part of and which Maddie was in. The email was a 'reminder' that Maddie was getting 'picked up today'
"Picked up for what?'' Maddie slowly turned back to Scarlett.
"for what. tell me!''
"I tried. I tried'' Scarlett cried.
"You tried what?! Scarlett! Whats happening?!"

Maddie grabbed the computer and looked at the previous emials in the chain. Again Maddie froze. Her chest tightened and she felt a tear roll down her cheek. The email stated that on the 28th of November (which was today) Maddie was being adopted by another family. Maddie couldn't believe it. Why hadn't Scarlett told her?! Why the hell was she finding out a few hours before? This email had been sent a month ago! To be precise, her birthday! And Scarlett hadn't told her?!

"This isn't real is it?" She asked quietly.
Scarlett slowly nodded. She was still crying and although Maddie did feel sympathy all she wanted was an explanation.
"Why didn't you tell me?!"
"I tried to sort things out! I emailed them asking for adoption papers for you! So I could adopt you! I tried. I promise!" Scarlett cried with tears streaming down her face. Maddie was now as well crying, but out of anger as well as sadness.
"But I don't understand why you didn't tell me!" Maddie fought back.
"I didn't want to get your hopes up of me adopting you for this very reason! The papers never came through and i thought...I thought they might have been late but then I received this email!..." Scarlett let out a sob. "I didn't realise they were coming today. I thought we had more time" she whispered quietly.
"Why....why..." Maddie sobbed. "Do you even know these people?"
Scarlett nodded again. "I've met them once and they're...lovely" a whole new set of sobs racked Scarletts body as she sobbed into her hands.

Maddie sat down crying. Just when her life was getting perfect something had to come and mess it up. It was almost as if the world hated her so much, that it couldn't allow Maddie to be happy for even a year.
"I can't....Scarlett....please...I don't wanna go....I don't wanna go....Scarlett please..."
Scarlett stood up and stumbled over to Maddie. Hugging her shoulders.
"I will do everything I can. I promise."
Together, the pair sobbed into each other. Both completely broken by the news. Scarlett tried to comfort Maddie but was so distraught herself she gave up. Scarlett awkwardly pulled away and shifted a few steps back
"I'm going..I need...to call a few people."
She quietly padded out the kitchen to her bedroom leaving Maddie broken in a kitchen chair.

About ten minutes later, Chris E, Lizzie and RDJ turned up at the door. Maddie sat there for about five minutes not mustering enough emotional and physical strength to answer the door. The buzzer had eventually became white noise until Chris banged on the window. Signalling to the door.
Maddie shuffled over to the door and slowly opened it, falling straight into Lizzie's arms.
"Honey. Honey. It's okay. It's okay. We're here now. Everything's gonna be okay"
Lizzie nodded her head forwards signalling from the boys the head inside. Chris immediately ran into Scarletts bedroom, whilst Robert started dealing different people to cancel this adoption.

Lizzie gently steered Maddie through the hallways into her bedroom. She didn't want Maddie to be in the middle of everything as it would upset her even more.
"Lizzie what's going to happen?" Maddie asked quietly with a waver in her voice.
"I don't know sweetheart. I really don't but we won't let anything bad happen okay?" Lizzie responded softly.
Maddie nodded and climbed into her bed, surrounding herself with blankets and pillows. Almost making a barricade from the worlds around her. Only an hour ago Maddie lay in bed peacefully and admiring the beauty of her life and now here she was, her life starting to fall apart.