Of Shields & Trees [BxB]

08 | Fragile Friendship

Way too soon I was back at the social home, having my regular Wednesday session with Miss Simona. New year, same me.

"A New Year's resolution list?" I parroted her words, gazing into her friendly brown eyes.

"Yes," she confirmed with a smile.

"And why would I need that?"

"It's a great opportunity to evaluate your life over the past year and decide what you would like to change during the next. It puts your future into perspective."

I got it. She wanted to remind me that I do in fact have a future. Or as she once said, "The past is just a lesson, not a life sentence. The future is in your hands."

"I have absolutely no idea what to write there!" I thought aloud. "Maybe keep my grades up? Work out more?"

"There, you have it! It doesn't need to be super long! Just focus on a few achievable goals and work towards making them happen!"

"And what was on yours?"

At that she blushed. "That's personal! Plus, we're here to talk about you. Not me! You're deflecting again."

I rolled my eyes but let it slide.

"I didn't want to tell you before it's set in stone but..." She started just to break the silence that settled between us. "There's someone interested in taking you under their care."

"Like a foster parent?"

"Yes."

"Is it Ms. Buchvarova?" I asked, no longer scared that I might get pranked if it was her. We left her house on pretty good terms with the prank boys. In fact, I had the feeling they were no longer so interested in pranking people. Maybe considering entering the showbiz as a duet or something... It didn't become quite clear from their ramblings.

"No... It's someone from your past..." She said, assessing my reaction.

"Who?"

"A teacher of yours... His name is Todor Andonov." She was approaching the topic as if I was a scared animal about to hurt itself. I wasn't that fragile!

Whatever she was expecting to read in my eyes, I had no idea, but after a few long seconds of staring me down, she kept going, "Him and his wife have been trying for a child for some time now and as it appears she has some kind of condition that prevents her from getting pregnant. They have already been considering adoption before your... situation arose."

"Taking me in a few months before my 18th birthday? Am I the training wheels?" I had nothing against Mr. Andonov. He was a nice guy. I was certain he would be a good father. I don't even know why I said that.

"We thought it would be best if you're with someone you know. You might even go back to your old school, finish your education there. It would look better on your resume than ours. It is sad but... some people are prejudiced towards orphaned children and..."

"I get it," I cut her off, trying to save her the embarrassment of having to explain why jerks exist. "So when will I know for sure?"

"They're coming on Saturday to arrange a few details. Maybe even take you with them if everything goes well..."

"Cool." I could tell conversations like that pained her the most. How many times did a would-be foster family change their mind?

For some reason, I didn't feel like oversharing today. I waited patiently for our time to be over, deflecting the conversation towards her or the stupid weather. She knew exactly what I was trying to do but she let me anyway. Sometimes we talked about my feelings and sometimes... about random insignificant things. Like what they would serve us for dinner. Apparently we were having fried chicken today. It was greasy, undercooked and it only made me miss Ms. Buchvarova's cooking.