Scarlett ❤️

Chapter 10

The next morning when I walk into the kitchen, the Carters are sitting at the kitchen table. Marie, my foster mother, gave me a small smile with weary eyes and her husband, Lee, was looking down into his coffee mug.

"Erm... good morning?" It comes out as more of a suspicious question.

"Sit down dear" Marie gestured to the chair opposite them, and Lee places a cup of coffee in front of me.

As Lee clears his throat to speak, my throat feels as though it's closing up. I am eighteen soon, they're going to ask me to move out. I can't breathe.

"Your social worker called" he begins and my fake smile drops completely, while I try to focus on breathing.

"She wanted to discuss your living arrangements post 18"

Marie continues quickly, noticing my discomfort "I realise we aren't the most involved foster parents, this was new to us."

"I appreciate you having me here and I understand that once the payments stop at eighteen you will be expected me to move out, it's okay" I paint my fake smile back on my face.

"Actually dear, we have been trying to decide how to tell you for a while, but Lee and I are moving out of town for my work soon. We haven't informed your social worker and we all know she won't bother to visit at all"

"You're leaving?"

"Yes" Lee takes over the conversation as his wife gets a little emotional. "You are a very independent young lady with a lot of potential Scarlett. We can't afford to offer you much once the payments stop, but for now we would like to help you finish college without interruption from social services."

"It's not much and we're sorry we can't do more" Marie continues again, "we will be putting the house up for sale but until we have a buyer you are welcome to stay here and finish college."

"I don't think my wages will cover the bills for this place" I admit.

"We will use the allowance to put towards bills, you would just need to buy your own food and anything else you need for college".

Okay. I could manage that. I would basically have my own house for the next few months.

"Are you sure?" I check, resisting the urge to pinch myself.

"Yes dear" Marie confirmed. "We know we haven't been the greatest parental figures, we weren't really sure how to be. I guess this is our attempt at giving you something back"

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I needed a walk to clear my head. I've never spent any time with my foster parents and I've always pretty much looked after myself, but the idea of being on my one kind of freaks me out.

I sit in my favourite spot overlooking the whole town. I normally come up here to clear my head but my thoughts are spinning out of control and this silence isn't providing much of an escape from them.

I was so stupid to think Ty would want to be my friend

How pathetic was it that I had to be saved like some helpless little girl

If I couldn't fend off one guy, how can I expect to live on my own? Be responsible, independent.

Finn remembered where I lived.
Where does he live?
Why is he here and Chloe isn't?

Noah is here!
I want to catch up with him and get back to the friendship we had before.
I could never hide anything from him, he'll notice the bullying, he'll notice everything.

I want to scream!!

I jump at the sound of my phone, breaking me from my spiralling thoughts.
I hadn't even noticed that I was crying.

I clear my throat before answering, pasting a smile on my face, in the hope that it transfers to my voice through the phone.

"Hey" I answer in a fake cheery tone.

"How are you?" Chloe asks, sounding as happy as I'm attempting to.

"I'm good" I lie "how are you?"
We used to talk so naturally to one another and now it feels like awkward small talk with a stranger. I don't know when it started but I can feel our friendship slipping away from me.

"Yeah, I'm good thank you" she returns before an awkward silence.

"How's college?" I ask, hoping she doesn't ask me the same.

"I love it here... but I obviously miss going to sixth form with you there" she adds quickly.

"I miss you too" I'm not lying this time. I really miss having a friend.

"Sorry Scar, my mum is shouting me for dinner, I just called because I thought we hadn't really spoken in a while"

She pauses for a reply but I don't have one, I'm struggling to keep the tears at bay as I'm realising how alone I feel knowing she isn't here.

"I've got to go, but text me or we can call again tomorrow".

"Okay, bye Chloe" I didn't mean to find so blunt, I hope she didn't think I was being rude.

"Bye Scar, talk soon"