"Your not going home?" The dude asked me now looking at me with a questioning look. I look back at him. Who is he to question me? Not my father I'll tell you that much.
"Um.... Business? Find yours." I said still heading back to my box. He suddenly...
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After everything that happened everyone went to their assigned rooms. This was the first time Janaya has cried about something that doesn't have anything to do about her dad. Or she thought it didn't. She woke up the next day feeling physically and mentally exhausted. She had cried herself to sleep that night.
After all the boys went to their room, well except Jahmal. He went to Julian's room. They all didn't get much sleep that night. They were for sure that this would change things. Their life was going so well, and Andre specifically felt like he had ruined their so-called 'perfect life. Their life hasn't been this pleasing since...
They were all nervous to go downstairs to face the music. They all wanted to curl up and die.
Jervonte was the first one to make it downstairs. He couldn't think straight and he knew he need his coffee. Next was Andre, he heard someone downstairs and crossed his fingers hoping it was Janaya. Wanting to talk to her to see why she said 'no' the night before. He didn't want to persuade her, if she really didn't want to be adopted she didn't have to. But she is still in his care. He felt obligated to know or get some clues to know why she said 'no'. When he saw it was Jervonte, they shared no words. Andre just got the leftover coffee in the cup and sat down on his phone doing who knows what.
Next was Jamar, he was really, really hungry. His plan was to eat and then leave to go visit his personal therapist. Julian and Jahmal came down next. Jahmal didn't want to go down by himself and Julian didn't want to go downstairs at all. But Jahmal's constant whining about how he was hungry played a part in getting him downstairs.
Last but not least, Janaya. She was the next to come downstairs. She was determined to not chicken out on telling them why she said 'no' to them. She got down there and when she walked fully to where everyone sat, everyone's eyes snapped to hers. Every ounce of determination and confidence left out of her body. She sat down beside Jamar with uneasiness. She fixed her plate and ate about half her food before giving herself a silent pep talk to try again.
"I-I" She stuttered a little bit before she mentally slapped herself remembering that she is Janaya.
"I just wanted to let you guys know why I said 'no' yesterday." She says looking around at everyone.
"I am not technically an orphan," she takes a deep breath before continuing, "I have a dad, but I don't know where he is at." She says then looks up feeling the tears about to stream on her face.
"I was living with my mom's mom, but she doesn't really know how to take care of anybody but herself, so I left."
"I know my dad's out there somewhere. I can feel it," She says then she looks at Andre right in the eyes, "I just feel like if I accept your offer in adopting me, I would be giving up on him and I don't want to do that."
"Just to let you guys know, if he I wasn't waiting for him to come back. Then I would be ready to join your family with no hesitation." She says the last part with a small smile.
"Even if I do get him back I don't think I will ever be able to let this family go. You guys are too special to me for me to do that.
"When was the last time you heard of your father?" asked Jervonte.
"About a year ago"
"I'm glad that you told us why you didn't want us to adopt you. We are happy to help you look for your father. In the meantime, we would love to have you continue to stay with us as family." Andre said this making Janaya get up from her seat and hug him.
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