The Unwanted

Chapter Seven

Word Count: 1382

Everett's POV

I woke up much earlier than I wanted to with Bridget knocking on my door. She came to tell me about the event I had to go to today. Giving me a list of what to wear and how to act my best, like always a subtle reminder that I, myself, am not enough.

I don't understand why I have to go to this stupid charity event. I don't care if it's a surprise, I would much rather hang out in Central Park or venture down 5th avenue acting like I fit in.

My social worker won't even tell me what it's about. She just emailed my foster parents the invitation and they accepted it, without even consulting me. What if I had plans? I mean I don't but what if I did. This is just so dumb. I hate attending these events because everyone looks at you like you're a broken frail child. And I might be but it's not like I'm going to be giving that information out.

My foster parents were supposed to go with me but couldn't make it with work obligations. So my social worker was going to come with me but backed out last minute for an emergency meeting. She told me it was too special of an opportunity to pass up, so I could just go alone as long as I behaved.

That all led to me standing in my bathroom wearing this very uncomfortable dressy outfit that made me look decades older. Bridget said that you have to look classy for the rich people but I didn't think classy and old were supposed to be synonyms. This is incredibly uncomfortable and not flattering, while I don't know the setting of this event, I'm pretty sure that no foster event is ever business formal from the 2000s.

Sighing I gave up and changed into a sage green summer minidress, which was probably the dressiest outfit I owned that I actually liked. I paired it was my white converse and called it good after combing out my hair.

I grabbed my small backpack and headed out the door to this warehouse or office building address. I'm not entirely sure, all I know is it's a far walk and Bridget told me to walk. She even took my subway card with her, which is super annoying because like who does that? Apparently she wants me to get some fresh air and sun, even though I spend most of my days outside. She just doesn't know cause she never pays attention.

I plugged in my headphones and hit play on a random playlist before humming my way down the street.

I stop at a nearby coffee shop and order an iced chai tea latte with vanilla sweet cream cold foam and a croissant to go. I made sure that nothing had tree nuts in it before paying cause I'm not in the mood to die today. I'd like to live a little longer. I mean there is a surprise waiting for me somewhere in the city.

I continue my walk down the street watching the families drag their kids to the park and the millennials try to avoid interacting with others. There are always paparazzi everywhere taking pictures of anyone who they think are celebrities which makes me laugh because once they took one of me. You would think that they'd be better at identifying celebrities at this point.

When I finally made it to the building, the first thing I noticed was the amount of security. And for a slight second I think that they sent me here alone to die?

I dump my trash before heading toward the large doors lined with security. I walk through the rotating doors nervously before heading to the front desk.

"Can I help you?" The receptionist barely raises his eyes to ask me.

"I-I um I'm here for the foster event?" I stutter. I hate talking to new people, it's always freaked me out. I never know if I can trust them and I had telling others that I don't have parents because I get that look of pity.

"Can I see some ID?" The man asks.

"Um I don't have any," I nervously answer.

"There isn't anything official document that proves you're suppose to be here?" He grumbles.

"I have an email from my social worker?" I offer.

"What about a school ID?"

"I go to online school," I fluster.

"No job or learners permit?"

"I'm fourteen," I answer trying to make him understand but I felt worse and worse that I couldn't do what was asked of me.

"Ok, I'll call upstairs and see if they can sort your mess," he sighs.

I bite my lip as I try to suppress the growing tears. I don't like confrontation and I hate people getting mad at me even more.

The moments pass awkwardly as he calls whoever he needs to.

"Alright Ms. Everett, you can follow this man, he'll take you up to the room," the receptionist answered finally looking up at me. How does he know my name now? I've never met him, well maybe the person on the phone told him. Yes, I'll go with that because any other reason sounds creepy.

I follow the silent security guard to the elevator and up about ten floors before getting off. He leads me to a room marked with a large sign saying Private Event before opening the door for me.

My eyes go wide as I see the small room packed with people, well packed may be an exaggeration but there was a lot of people. I scanned the room looking for any familiar faces before I remember that I came alone and have no idea who anyone is.

Sighing I played with the straps on my backpack as I scanned the room, then a woman with dirty-blonde hair approached me.

"Hi! I'm Lizzie," she smiles as she holds a hand out for me to shake.

"Everett," I returned the smile, although I'm sure it didn't look as genuine.

"Nice to meet you, Everett, are your adults with you?" Lizzie asks making my face scrunch in confusion.

"Huh?"

"Like your guardians?" She clarifies. She looks somewhat familiar like I've seen her before but I can't place it.

"Oh, they're at work actually but they send their best," I recite remembering what Bridget instructed me to do.

"Oh," Lizzie looks shocked before trying to cover it up, "I can introduce you to everyone if that's okay?" she offers.

"Sure," I nod.

"Okay great, we can do Scarlett first?" She suggests. I'm not sure if I'm suppose to know who that is or not. All I know is that Lizzie must work at the event and is not a fellow foster parent.

"Okay," I agree as I wait for her to lead me over to whoever Scarlett is. I scan the room some more and quickly realized that there were famous people in the room. Blake lively, Ryan Reynolds, even Robert Downey Junior. The decorations were a simple red and white with a Marvel sign plastered on the wall.

I remember seeing Iron Man with Nate once but I don't remember much of it. I was in recovery so I slept through most of our movie marathons. I also liked watching Disney and rom-coms more than action movies.

I wonder if Lizzie is apart of the marvel superhero gang. Should I have been more excited to meet her? Now I feel bad cause I don't know who she was or who she plays. Bridget and Frank don't really indulge much in anything that's not a necessity for me. Plus I enjoy spending my allowance at coffee shops to spark what little amounts of joy I still have.

"Hey Lizzie," a slightly shorter blonde woman smiles as we approached. I cautiously stood next to Lizzie, maybe a bit behind.

"Hey, Scarlett, this is Everett," Lizzie beams before moving beside me, "and Everett this is Scarlett."

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Yay! They're finally meeting! I know this is a bit rushed but it felt right to jump to the 'good' parts instead of waiting. Let me know what you think/predictions!

See you in the next one Friends!