Today Was A Dream

Adoption and A Fresh Start

ADDY'S POV:

I wake up, and Lizzie isn't next to me. I roll over and look at the clock. It's 7:00 AM. How is she already awake? Then I remember she has to go to set today. I get out of bed and walk into the kitchen. Lizzie is sitting on a barstool, drinking coffee and looking at her computer. "Good morning, Lizzie!" I say. "Good morning, Addy!" says Lizzie. I sit on the barstool next to her, and she pushes a plate of pancakes towards me. "Thank you," I say. "Anytime," says Lizzie. She really is the nicest person I've ever met. I pick at my pancakes. I realize that I haven't eaten since breakfast yesterday. I'm not really hungry though. "Not hungry, huh?" asks Lizzie. "Oh, yeah. I'm not really hungry, even though I haven't eaten since breakfast yesterday. Mr. Roderick tries to only let me have one meal a day. Sometimes he forgets to let me eat altogether, or he forgets that I already ate and I get two meals. I ate breakfast instead of lunch yesterday because I had lunch the day before. I'm used to not having food which means that I'm not hungry sometimes," I say. "That's messed up," says Lizzie. "You're telling me. I know it's messed up, but I couldn't do anything about it because talking when you aren't allowed to, in my case, is brutal punishment," I say. "Awww, I'm sorry," says Lizzie. "Hey, don't worry about it. I'm used to it," I say. "You shouldn't be," says Lizzie. I shrug and I force myself to eat enough bites to satisfy Lizzie.

LIZZIE'S POV:

"Oh, I booked an appointment for me to sign the papers to adopt you. It's at 8:30 AM today! The only problem is we have to sign them at the orphanage. Don't worry, Mr. Roderick won't go near you. Like I said last night, I'm bringing some of my security with me, and the police will be there," I say. "I definitely have to go back?" asks Addy with some fear in her voice. "Yes, but I'll be right there holding your hand the whole time," I say. Addy nods. "It'll be okay. He won't hurt you," I say. Then I add, "Also, Scarlett Johansson will be coming with us. She'll be here at 7:30 AM!" I say.

ADDY'S POV:

At the sound of that last piece of news, I get off of my barstool and do a cartwheel out of excitement. "Yay!" I say. Lizzie smiles. Then I notice she has her phone out filming me. She puts her phone down. "Was it a good cartwheel?" I ask. "Yes! It was great!" says Lizzie. Then she shows me the video. It actually was a great cartwheel. "Thanks! I taught myself how to do it during recess one day," I say. I notice the time on Lizzie's phone. It's 7:15 AM. Scarlett arrives in 15 minutes. I'm still wearing the same clothes as I was yesterday. I pace in front of the door for the next 13 minutes. "Addy, Scarlett loves you already, and she hasn't met you yet," says Lizzie trying to calm my nerves. I stop pacing and ask, "Are you sure?" "100%," says Lizzie. I feel somewhat better since she said that. Then the doorbell rings, and I hide behind Lizzie as she answers it. I don't know why I'm hiding. It's Scarlett Johansson, my other favorite person in the world. I shouldn't be scared, but I am. I guess growing up with the only adult in my life being Mr. Roderick; I lost trust in adults. I trust Lizzie, and that's big for me.

LIZZIE'S POV:

The doorbell rings, and Addy hides behind me even though I just told her Scarlett already loves her. I open the door, and Scarlett says, "Hi, Lizzie!" I step aside so Scarlett can walk in, and Addy goes with me. "Addy, it's okay," I whisper. That only makes Addy hug me tighter. I hold up my pointer finger to signal Scarlett that we need a minute. She nods and walks into my bedroom so Addy and I can talk. "Addy? What's wrong? You were just so excited to meet Scarlett. What happened?" I ask.

ADDY'S POV:

"It's just that it's hard for me to trust adults. You're the first adult I've ever trusted," I mumble. "Oh, sweetie," says Lizzie. She hugs me, and I wince. Part of it is because of my injuries, and the other part is because I'm not used to being hugged. I'm used to being hit and punched. "You wanna try again with Scarlett?" asks Lizzie. "Yes, as long as you're right here," I say. "I'll be right here. I'm not going anywhere," says Lizzie. I smile. "Scar?! You can come back now!" shouts Lizzie. This time, I'm standing next to Lizzie rather than behind her, and I'm holding her hand as if it's a lifeline. Lizzie squeezes my hand as Scarlett walks into the room.