Every Ending Is A New Beginning

The A Team

Okay so i know i promised another chapter like 2 weeks ago.

my bad.

i managed to get grounded. again. thats my talent. getting grounded.. not a very good talent, but its a start.

__________________________ I played with my ring as I waited in the lobby for my name to be called. I couldn't wait much longer, and I could feel people staring. It's not everyday that you see a tired-looking, worn down, teenage girl that looks like she may or may not be on drugs sitting in an attorneys office.

"Jessica Folley?"

I jumped at the sound of my name. A fancy lady who slightly resembled Effie Trinket walked over to me, an unreadable look on her face.

"Are you Jessica Folley? Mr. Reader is ready to see you."

I gathered all of my things, which included a suitcase, a backpack, and a purse, and followed the lady to Mr. Reader's door. When I opened the door I saw a familiar man, the one that I had previously seen with my aunt. I dropped my purse and let go of my suitcase.

"How may I help you?"

I scoffed at his attempt to be clueless. "I want you to help me find my birth parents."

A confused look flashed across his face.

"You can't pay for this." He said as he sat down in his chair.

I sat down in the chair on the other side of his desk. "Look, I've got money from eighteen years of pocket change and babysitting not to mention countless hours standing behind a counter."

"You still can't afford this." He said matter-of-factly.

I grinned. "Try me."

_____

Many arguments and at least 3 price changes later, I was on the track to finding my birth parents. I walked out of the office, feeling happy for the first time in a long while. Now if I could only find a cheap place to stay...

Of course, it'd have to be really cheap. I can't pay rent and pay for an attorney on my budget. Not if I want to eat. I sighed realizing that there's only way out. I found a busy street, set my suitcase down and sat on it. I dug a mug out of my bag, and put it by my feet. After a while, I realized I would need to do something, people weren't just going to drop money at my feet. But then I had nothing I could do. I could only hope that people would take pity on me. It began to get cold, and the bitter wind threatened to take away whatever warmth I could find in my jacket. By ten o'clock, with the light gone, I had collected two dollars and forty cents. Just enought to buy me a bag of Doritos. I was about to start packing up when a boy with shaggy, blonde hair sat down next to me.

"You won't get much just sittin' there." He said, a glint in his eyes.

I smiled. "Yeah, I figured that much."

He flicked his hair of his face. "How long have you been on your own?" He asked as he picked up the cup.

"Since this morning."

"Ah," he said, studying a quarter, "Lucky I found you when I did then. Some of the people I pick up have been out here for a few months."

"What do you mean?" I took the quarter back, "About the people you pick up?"

"Well, I was thrown out at the age of sixteen by my stepdad. He was always drunk so I was happy to get out anyway." A flash of sadness flickered across his face, only to be replaced by his bright smile. "I soon figured out that us juvenile delinquents need to stick together, there's power in numbers. So I got all of my savings and bought a house."

I smiled. "So, you find homeless people, and bring them to your house?"

He laughed. "It's not exactly like that. It's like... A community home of sorts. As long as people keep paying their rent, they can stay. They get food, a bed, and a family."

I sighed and stared down at the quarter in my hand. "That'd be nice."

"Then c'mon." He smiled again, and grabbed my hand. Maybe this would be good. Maybe I would be happy. I mean he sure seems happy enough.

I grabbed my stuff as I walked alongside him.

"So what's your name?" He said, pulling up his hood.

"What's yours?" I asked.

"But I asked you first."

"And I asked you second."

He laughed quietly. "Toushé. My names Josh. And yours is..." He faded out waiting for me to finish the sentence.

"Jessica. You can call me Jess."

"Well, alright Jess. Would you be able to pay a small fine of $150 per month?"

I couldn't help but be surprised. "Seriously? That's really cheap."

We arrived at the house and he led me up the steps to the front door.

"Well, the more people we get in here, the less money it costs each individual. When I was living here alone it was terrible. Had to work full time." He opened the front door, and I followed behind him. There were people sitting on the stairs, people rushing past them. I could hear music coming from the second floor. The smell of food filled the house. There were a few small groups scattered around the living room.

"This is... Insane." I said as I took in my surroundings.

"No." He laughed. "This is what I call the A Team.