A Place To Call Home

6.six

6.

Rachel opened her eyes, slowly. She frowned. That wasn't her room, at all. She sat up and rubbed her own neck, trying to recollect her memories. The last thing she could remember was Hayley telling her something about her being worth it, nothing else. Rachel shook her head and let out a sigh. She stood up and walked towards the big mirror next to the wardrobe and took off her clothes. She choked on a strangled sob. How could Hayley really think that she would have believed her? She wasn't worth anything, that was the truth. And the bruises that covered her back and her left rib were proof of that. She put her clothes on and decided to go out of the room. With some luck, maybe she would have managed to leave without being caught. She sneaked around the corridor that lead to the living room, looking for her backpack.

"Rachel, how are you?". The girl jolted, dropping the backpack on the floor. She turned around. Taylor was in front of her and he looked relived to see her up.

"I... I'm fine." she lied. She wanted nothing but go away from there. She didn't want to be a burden.

"Hey, Rachel." Hayley greeted her, joining them. The girl frowned. Hayley wasn't alone, there was Patkins with her. She felt anxiety rising more and more in her chest. Why was that woman there?

"Rachel, would you like to take a seat?" the social worker proposed her. The girl nodded and sat on the couch. Her stomach was in utter turmoil and she felt like throwing up. The three adults were all standing in front of her and she didn't know who she had to look at. Hayley should've noted her discomfort because she decided to sat next to her and soothingly took her hand between hers.

"So, Hayley and Taylor told me you had a rough morning." Patkins started. Rachel glanced at the singer, who smiled at her, to give her courage. The girl slightly nodded, without saying anything.

"I talked to the Carsons. They told me you fought with your foster father."

"It's not like that!" Rachel retorted, immediately regretting that. She bowed her head. She could feel Hayley's concerned gaze on her and all she wanted was to vanish, disappear from everything and everyone.

"What do you mean?" Patkins asked her, but she didn't answer. "Rachel, did something happen this morning with Mr Carson?". The girl turned to Hayley. The singer was looking at her with worried eyes and Rachel really couldn't understand how was it possible that that woman seemed to care about her. She thought back at her morning at home, at Mr Carson throwing her on the floor and threatening her crushing her against the wall.

"Rachel?" the social worker insisted. The girl shook her head in no, tears in her eyes.

"I just... They're right, I threw a tantrum. I'm sorry."

"Rachel, I can't look for another family able to foster you, you know that." Patkins told her.

"Yes, I know."

"Moreover..."

"Okay, I think she got the point." Hayley interrupted the social worker. "Sorry, I didn't mean to sound so rude."

"That's okay." the older woman reassured her. "Anyway, it's time to go home. Get ready, I'll drive you." she then told Rachel. The girl sighed and was about to stood up, when Hayley stopped her. Rachel glanced at her and frowned, confused by that behavior. The singer, on the other hand, looked at Taylor, who nodded at her.

"Listen, I... Well, it's clear that she needs to get away for a while. I've nothing against the Carsons, but maybe one day or two with everyone having their own spaces could be a good thing.". Rachel was speechless. She would have never expected anything like that.