The Adolescence Of Addiline

Chapter 4: Sweetheart

Today is Christmas Eve. Mrs. Kera says that we should open up all of our presents tonight instead of tomorrow, I'm not sure why though.

"Addiline, we are about to open presents can you please come down" she shouts "Ok, I'll be there in a minute" I walk down the wooden stairs into a largely decorated living room. The presents are separated into piles for each person, I almost faint at the site of the mound I have been given.

"Are these all for me?" I ask confused "Why yes my dear, everything in that pile is yours. Haven't you ever gotten gifts before?" she says cautiously. I look down at the presents, some were big and some were small. I had the eager feeling to want to rip everything open right now.

"Not really, we didn't get presents at the child protection agency, we just got a nice meal and that was it. I think the last time that I opened real gifts was probably around the age of 7" she looks at me with wide eyes but all I give her is a little smile.

I open the first few presents, I got a brush, 100$ in cash, new shoes, new clothes, some hair accessories, and new pencils. "Thank you so much" I say, I give Mrs. Kera a big hug and sit back down on the couch. I would give Mr. Russell one but he isn't here, he usually never is.

"No problem sweetheart" she says cheerfully. I kind of like being called sweetheart it gives me a meaning like something I can live for. We stare at each other awkwardly for a few minutes. "Oh, I forgot!" she says as she shoots off the couch "What have you forgotten" I say, she comes around the corner with a medium sized box. "Here, open it" she hands the box to me and I cautiously take it out of her hands.

I open up the lid after unwrapping the paper. "A backpack?" I ask confused "But I don't go to school" she gives me a look "Well now you are, starting Monday you will be going to White Waters Middle School" she says happily. All I hear is the clapping of her hands in excitement, I freeze up and stop breathing. I can't feel anything. I think of all the horrible memories that I had during elementary school, I haven't been to any sort of school since my parents disappeared.

"Addiline, what's wrong? Are you ok?"she says, I can here the worry in her voice. "Yeah, I'm fine just it is a lot to take in I.....I ..I guess".

I rub my sweaty palms together, and I can feel everything shaking. "Addiline, are you running a fever?" she walks over and puts her hand on my forehead "Well, your a little hot, nothing antibiotics can't help with, now go up to your room and get some rest. Hopefully you will be nice and healthy by then". She grabs my hand and we walk up the stairs.

As soon as I crawl into bed she tucks me in with the soft and warm blankets, which relaxes me a bunch. "Goodnight my angel" she says "Goodnight" I say quietly. I pretend to close my eyes as she shuts the door, I grab a flashlight and one of my new pencils. The diary lays under my pillow.

December 24, 1963
Today was special. It was my "first" real Christmas since I was 7. I got many things, but I'm not so sure I need them. Once again Russell couldn't bother to show up, he calls me brat while she calls me sweetheart it's hard to believe which one is right and which is wrong. Another challenge in my wonder of a life is that I am going back to school. God I'm going to be that lonely kid who eats in the bathroom to hide away from all of the others who think they are more worth it than everyone else. Don't get me wrong, I love this place but is it truly worth giving everything I have searched for the past 5 years? Well that's the thing I don't know. Part of me wants to be free but the other part wants me to look at what I have going for me now, The problem is I don't know which side too choose but I know I will find a way.

I put the diary back under my pillow and I throw my flashlight and my pencil on the ground. I close my eyes.

I toss and turn for what seems like endless hours. In the corner of my eye I can see a bright glowing light coming from my window. I slowly get up out of my bed and walk to the mysterious yet tranquil light. I look down and see the rays of the full moon reflect off of the raging river water. It's shine lulls me into a dream of happiness and it makes me feel complete.

I slide open the window and let the wind blow on my warm and damp face. As it hits my cheeks it sends a shiver down my spine, yet it feels so good.
It reminds me of when me and my parents (my real ones) would hold each other's hands and walk through the park. We always went on cold and rainy days, for some reason it gave us hope. It helped my dad through tough times as well as my mom. We were so happy and now I think to myself "What happened" but I guess I will never know, but I will never stop searching.

Even if I have to go to the ends of the earth I would rather them be there then no where at all....