Stark's Daughter

Chapter 1

Hello, my name is Stephanie Gale. I have brown, curly hair; and big, brown eyes. Dimples dent my cheeks lightly, giving me a less awkward smile. I'm eleven years old and I'm in fifth grade. The girls around here call me popular, although the real populars are the ones that call me mean names and threaten to throw a punch at me...

Life isn't exactly easy here. As you may have realized, I earlier said "around here"... When I say that, I mean here in foster care. I've been here all my life. My mom and dad didn't want me, I guess. For as long as I can remember, I've never had a real home. It's always been here.

Usually, I tend to imagine what my parents are like. Who do I look more like? Mom or Dad? Who am I more like? Sometimes the thought of why they left me crosses my mind. Like today.

I sit in the corner window, in the hallway, waiting for class to dismiss. The rain patters against the window lightly. I stare up into the grey clouds that hold gloom in their appearance. Glancing down at the trees, all the leaves are gone, making way for the winter months.

To be clear on things, I'm in trouble. My teacher, Mrs. Kyer, was teaching and I ignorantly turned around to talk to Ariana, my best friend. Mrs. Kyer asked me to stop talking; and instead of respecting her wishes, I kept talking.

"Stephanie, please go sit outside and come back when you're not so chatty." Mrs.Kyer asked me politely.

Thinking back on it now, I wish I hadn't opened my mouth again after that... because what came out was pretty disrespectful.

"Maybe you should come back when you're a better math teacher." I replied and regretted the statement immediately.

My eyes widened and I slowly covered my mouth- almost embarrassed- while the entire class "oooed" at my comeback.

"Stephanie Gale. Hallway. Now." She commanded, pointing a finger at the door.

The entire class silenced, as I took the walk of shame to the hallway. It was humiliating, but I set myself up for that one. Now, sitting in the silence, I ponder which one of my parents gave me this sass. Maybe I just acquired it through years of living in the foster care system. God knows it'd take a toll on just about anyone.

Suddenly, the school bell rings for school to let out, dragging me out of my own thoughts. School is in the foster home, so we still see all the same people all day, including the teachers. And if you're wondering, yes- each year it becomes more monotonous. I can't imagine what another five years will do to me.

Mrs.Kyer pokes her head out of the class room, points a finger at me, and gestures toward her room. Of course I feel bad, no doubt. I just think my mouth has a mind of its own, if that makes any sense...

She leads me into the classroom and to a student desk right beside her desk. I sit down and sink into the chair. She leans against the desk, arms crossed, and taps her foot slowly on the floor. My eyes never meet hers. I continue to flick my eyes around the room, avoiding eye contact.

"Stephanie, do you-" she starts, but I interrupt her and begin my plea.

"Yes ma'am. I'm sorry for what I said, and I was hoping for your forgiveness. My mouth won't give it a rest. I say smart things, but of course, I don't mean them. I am truly sorry for saying something so disrespectful." I apologize, in a way she HAD to forgive me.

"Stephanie, of course I forgive you." She cracks a small smile and lets out a little chuckle, "I just wanted to make sure you weren't going to do it again. And to make sure you knew what you did wrong,"

"I do. And thank you ma'am. I won't fail you. Not again." I say, almost sarcastically.

"Awe, honey, you didn't fail me. Just go on and have a good weekend." She says, as I stand up from the desk.

She pats me on the back, then gestures towards the door, setting me free from the heavy air of the classroom. I happily skip out of the room, not giving a second look back.