The Rest of Forever

Chapter 2

I groggily open my eyes on Friday morning in my new room, a room I never could have hoped for in a foster home. Before I could even start to process all the new information I got yesterday, like the fact that I am living with 6 beautiful boys there was a loud knock at my door. I sighed and walked over to the door a little bit pissed off that anyone would dare to wake me up this early in the morning. And knocking, at that.

But then I realized that in the old homes, no one would have knocked. I smile at the closed door, and then realizing what an idiot I look like, swing open the door quickly.

Carter was standing at the door in flannel pajama pants, just flannel pajama pants, his eyes still sleepy. He rubs his eyes, and in that moment when he’s not looking, I scan his torso, gawking at his lean, muscular figure.

“Hey, Mom says you have to go to school this morning,” he mumbles, his voice deep and husky. “And I’m supposed to tell you that you should get dressed and come downstairs.” His eyes meet my own, and his blue is so clear, that I feel like I’m drowning.

“I’ll get ready,” I groan, now fully awake. Carter doesn’t reply, just turns around still half asleep and walks into his room. I try to not watch him as he walks away, but in all those years at the foster homes, I have never seen a guy as attractive as Carter. I look both ways, to make sure no one saw my drooling, and then turn into my room and get ready.

I’m not at all worried about what to wear on my first day of school, I have one outfit that I wear to every first day of school. Almost every school has a dress code or some outfit that all the girls wear. I hate sticking out, and as a result I developed my First Day of School Outfit. I pull jeans, a flowy pink top, black converse, and some jewelry out of my bag, that is packed neatly into a different pouch than all my other clothes. I put only put on a little bit of makeup on and before I leave I slip the irish claddagh ring my mom gave me onto my right ring finger. I wear this ring everyday, just like my mother and my grandmother did. At her funeral, I remember peering into her casket, as Bea held onto me. I saw the ring, and then pointed to it. I need it, I told her. I need it.

Taking one last long look in the mirror I fix my dark blonde hair so it falls just right over my shoulders and swipe a little more mascara over my hazel eyes.

That same day, Bea met me before the funeral. She came into my bedroom, and sat in a chair while I finished getting ready. I asked her what color lipstick I should wear, the purple stuff my best friend gave me the year before, or the stuff I stole from my mother’s draw. Bea knelt beside me, took my hands in hers, and said, Caitlyn, you are beautiful. You are absolutely beautiful. You will never need anything.

I glance at the clock and quickly rush down the stairs following the soft hum noise to the kitchen, until the morning clamor started sounding like the mosh pit at a rock concert

“Damn girl,” Alec hoots, “Looking fine.” I just ignore him, because I see Laura put her hands on her hips and frown. As if that wasn’t enough, Mckayla is quick to smack him upside the head

“Don’t worry about him, I know for a fact he has herpes,” she rolls her eyes, in a stage whisper so the whole kitchen can hear. Alec grins at the comment, but I can see Laura pursed her lips. She shakes her head and walks upstairs, muttering how she’s done for the day.

“Manslut!” Gage yells from across the kitchen. Alec gets a funny look on his face and Mckayla  bolts out of the kitchen, squealing with Alec hot on her trail. It was funny watching the two scamper, half ready, in circles around the house.

“Sorry you had to see that,” Gage says “But you’ll get used to it, they fight like that a lot.” From the next room we can hear squeals of “My hair, you asshole, I spent half an hour on that,” and “Get off of me, crazy bitch.”