Finding Hope

chapter one

"I'm sorry for your loss," is what everyone says when you loose a person you loved. I don't get why people always say that! Why can't they ask, what were they like? Or something like that... I mean come on. This funeral is over and I'm on my way home. I have to pack so I can leave, I just have to decide on where to go. I run so I can get there and leave early so the people can't get me before I go to a foster home. I don't want to have another family, my parents were one of a kind and I don't want to have to start over with a new family, being an only child is what I've been used to I don't want siblings, I don't need this. I walk faster, and tear up. The only good thing is that I'm at home packing. I hear a knock on the door. "Who is it?"

"It's us," he calls.

"It's open," I say.

Before I know they're all in my room, stopping me from packing.

"You can't just leave..." Ava says.

"I don't think you should just get up and leave when things get tough," Jack says.

"We've all got siblings and Ava's a foster kid and she has no problems, you'll be fine," Lia adds.

I notice that the only people that aren't saying anything are Toby and Eric.

"Guys, she doesn't need you all telling her what she should and shouldn't do!" Eric says.

"I agree with Eric, we all just finished the 8th grade and we're going into high school this fall, maybe she just needs a break, she's got this summer to cool down and figure out what she really needs or wants. It's not our decision, it's hers," Toby adds.

"Give her a break, she just lost her parents," Lia agrees.

"Is this how you feel?" Jack asks me. I nod, not feeling the need to talk. "Okay... Whatever you do I'll support you." Jack says.

"If you want you can stay at my house tonight. You know until you get on your feet or something," Ava suggests.

"No, I'm leaving tonight. If you wanna help me pack you can but other that can you just please leave me to pack?" I ask.

"Jack and I will go and fix all of us dinner," Lia says.

"Toby, Eric, and I will help you pack," Ava says. I nod.

--

"Dinner's ready." Lia announces. Ava, Toby, Eric, and I follow Lia to the dining room, where six plates have lasagna and a bread stick on them. We're all sitting and enjoying our food. No talking, no noises accept the occasional car passing and a fork scraping the plate.

I decided to break the silence, "thanks for dinner, but you all should go home now." Everyone sighs.

"Why would you wanna leave this mansion of a house? Your parents were rich!! Your room is gigantic, the kitchen is amazing, the dining room is beautiful, you've got a big pool AND hot tub, and each room has its own bathroom," Lia points out.

"Your parents probably left all of this stuff in your name! Where's their will?" Jack asks.

"I have no idea. Enough about my parents. Just go home, I'm leaving in the morning and I need my rest," I order.

"No, we're staying here until you leave," Ava demands.

"UGH!" I yell.

--

I wake up and I don't bother waking everyone else up so I just set an alarm for 8:00 am so they're gone by the time the foster people get here. I write a note so they know nothing happened to me.

Dear friends,

I've left already don't look for me, you won't find me. I don't even know where I'm going so don't ask. I still have my phone (don't track it), my iPod, iPad, and all their chargers. Don't even try to follow me, I have my knife, so I'll be fine. I have a map but I won't be looking at it often so I may or may not get lost.

Goodbye xoxo