The Bench

August 24th

The date that she had circled in red ink with a big fat marker on her calendar for the past 3 weeks was finally here.

She hadn't met the family yet because of some school/family situations, so she was meeting them the same night that she was supposed to move in. Which was tonight. Not normal, but it would have to do. It's not like she had any control over the situation.

Her social worker, Cassidy, was going to make her wear the stupid blue dress that was now laying on her bed. Cecilia knew it was going to be too short because everything was too short for her. At least she had some control over this matter.

She tossed a ripped pair of leggings, a black choker necklace and a black belt on top of it. She knew she needed to get new clothes, but she was saving every penny for when she turned 18 and could finally be her own person. Looking at the dumb blue dress though, she yearned for something better. Something that fits her personality.

C'est la vie. She glanced one last time at the strange outfit. Thank God for hoodies, she thought gratefully, remembering her favorite piece of attire and adding it to the pile.

"Now to pack." Cecilia said aloud to break herself out of her own head. She busied herself gathering her few belongings, trying to keep her mind from worrying about first impressions with her new foster family.

From past experience, she knew it was pointless to think about it too much. They'll react how they react, no matter how much she worries. Her mind starts to float to her other first meetings with her old foster families, some good, some not so good. But they never told her EXACTLY what to expect living with them would be like because people used faces. They ALWAYS wanted to make a good impression so they would go out of their way to be nice and civil...

Cecilia sighed and moved on to her closet. This is no way to lessen her anxiety.

School. That was good. Her social worker found out a way to keep her in the same school for her senior year of high school. That was much appreciated. She couldn't stand switching schools, especially with a 4.0 GPA on the line. The first day of school was only a week away, so she'd have to get settled in with her new family fast. Luckily she didn't own too much.

She surveyed her room for the last time, taking care to leave the drawers and doors open. Everything she owned could fit in two large duffel bags and her small backpack.

The car ride was torture. As much as she loved Cassidy, or Cassy as she insisted on being called, she talks. A little about what I need to know about the family, and a lot about other random stuff that I could care less about.

"I mean come ON, who needs that many shoes?!?" she asked rhetorically, immediately moving on to the next thing that caught her interest. She only paused for air when her phone buzzed. Then Cassidy would go silent for a minute or so, sometimes commenting on whatever was going on in her head, then she'd lapse back into silence, engulfed in her phone once again.

Cecilia sighed and rolled her eyes as she stared out the window. Sometimes adults made her never want to grow up.

From what she knew, the "Woodfields" were "nice" people. They had one son who was six years younger than Cecilia. And they lived close to the school to walk. If they were nice enough, she would have to ask for a bike. She enjoyed biking to school.

Too soon, the car came to a slow rolling stop. Cassidy moved her head up to look out the window.

"Yup! This is it!" She said, scrambling to put her phone in her purse. "Thank you Chris! If you could just wait here, I'll be back in a flash!"

"Let me help you with your bags,'' he said, squeezing out of the small driver's seat." He stood up. Cecilia didn't know if it was because he was stretching, or if he just had a huge build, but he could've been a giant!

"Thanks." Cecilia managed to squeak out, a bit intimidated. She cleared her throat and took her bags. "Thanks." She said again, this time a little clearer.

"Any time." Chris responded with a warm smile. She decided she liked Chris. Even though his demeanor seemed rough, he seemed to be a very genuine person. That was rare.

"Is that Cecilia?" She heard a woman behind her.

She turned to look, and saw a middle aged woman stood next to a man and a boy.

This must be her new family.

It was August 24th.