I stared blankly at the people sitting before me.
"Are you serious." I managed to choke out.
"Um, sweetie. If this is too soon, we can do this another time." Claire's hand rested on my arm before I stood up.
"E-excuse me, just a minute." I turned and ran up the stairs that led to my "room". My body was laid down on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
I needed to clear so many things in my life. I needed to make so many decisions. All my life I've been moved. I'd never know the future. And if I agreed to this, I'd know where I'd be living tomorrow. And I'll know I won't be moved next week.
I need to stay here. Even though everything sucks right now with everyone else, this family has just put their heart on their sleeve and I'm bitchy enough to walk away from such an amazing group of people. They're doing this all for me, and I know this took a lot in them because they have a family so young.
"Josie?" A knock on the wooden door was heard. I sat up from my laying position.
"Hey sweetie. I need to tell you something," she closed the door with a quiet click and sat next to me on the bed.
"Josie, Rob and I miscarriage when we tried for our first baby. The baby was going to be around your age. He and I have always wanted an older sibling to Quinn. We feel terrible that she didn't get to have one. And, Jos, you're the best. You're so caring to her and to this family and we believe that this is right. Even though you'll be eighteen in a few months, we just feel that you need a place to call home, and people to call family."
I do. I really do need a home. When I turn eighteen, services would've just thrown me on the streets with my small bag of clothes and the lost collection of books and CD's I used to own. But now, if I agree, I'll wake up and I'll be eighteen and I'll come downstairs with eggs and bacon and there will be a balloon and my family will be there in their pajamas waiting for me to come out of my slumber. Yeah the school day will suck, but I'll know that I have a place to call home. And people to call family.
"I'd love to be your daughter, Claire." I hugged her, I could see the tears in her eyes as I leaned in to give her the longest and hardest hug I've ever given/received.
-
I shoved my body against lockers and ducked my face into my own as I saw he ascend towards me.
"Good morning." He moved the metal door away from my face and kissed my forehead.
"Hi Luke." I forced a small smile then turned, putting books back into my locker.
"What's wrong, you seem, weird." I shut the locker door making him jump.
"Can we talk at carpool?" I asked. He nodded and walked alongside me to the entrance of the school where the carpool lane was. Students filed into cars, playing their music too loud for any human to tolerate, but, considering it was the end of a Friday, I accepted their excitement.
"What's up?" He asked as he sat next to me on the grass.
"I think you and I, should," he gave me those stubborn blue eyes and I fought myself, knowing I had to be honest with him,"okay, look. You're an amazing guy, but I don't think we should be a thing or couple or something. I love your company but I like someone else." He bowed his head and laughed to himself.
"Yeah I always kinda knew you liked Ashton more than me anyways."
"Are we cool?" I held out a fist. He bumped it.
"Yeah, we're cool. I gotta get home. Catch you later," he got up and left me. I, as usual, was one of the three last people waiting there. I didn't know why I was waiting because I knew I'd end up having to call Ashton or Calum to get me, but the thought of no one at school calmed me. It made me think that if all the annoying people weren't here, it wouldn't be so bad.
I dusted off my butt after I stood up and began to cross the parking lot to begin my walk to a local cafe to begin annotating a stupid book for lit.
A group of cars were parked but I didn't think much of it until one of them appeared.
One of those sick men that took me last time.
My pace quickened as I noticed them emerging from their cars. I started to jog once they began to follow me, and ran as they chased me.
My legs couldn't hold any longer as I weaved through the parking lot of the school and I praised teachers still being there due to the fact I could easily hide behind large cars due to my short height.
One of them finally caught up to me and snatched me. My lungs attempted to shout but I was quickly stopped by my adrenaline and the sharp, foreign object pulled from his sleeve.
"Thirty seven missed calls." He dangled my phone in front of my face and dragged me back to his filthy vehicle.
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-that's all for today sorry it sucked so bad
-d
