Every Ending Is A New Beginning

Where I Belong

"The A Team? Like the song?" I asked.

"Yeah," said Josh. "That's us. We're under the underdogs. But only because the cruelty of the world put us here."

That was deep. He's cute, he's happy, and he understands a musical genius when he hears one. Is there any possible way to just marry Josh right here and now?

"So, I'll show you your room." He grabbed my suitcase and carried it up the stairs. We went to the end of the hall and he knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" A voice called back.

"It's Josh. I have a new room mate for you."

Just then the door flew open.

"Thank God. I've been tired of having to be alone in here all the time. Come on in." The girl standing before us was about my age and build, with small hips and shoulders. She had blonde hair, obviously died, and it was styled in a way that might be described as scene. She had bright green eyes, with flecks of gold.

"Hi, I'm Cara." She held out her hand, and I cautiously shook it.

"I'm Jess."

"Well," Josh sighed. "I will introduce you to the others at breakfast tomorrow. Bye Jess! Bye Cara! I hope you two get along!" And with that we watched him walk out the door, only to see his head pop back in a few seconds later. "And if you don't get along just do me a favor and try not to kill eachother. Mkay?" Then he was gone.

"I wont try to kill you if you dont try to kill me, deal?" Cara said as she sat down on her bed.

I smiled, "No promises."

The next morning, I woke up to hear the sound of feet running up and down the stairs, and laughter filling the halls. I rubbed my eyes as I sat up to see Cara's empty bed. I sighed. I swung my feet over the side of the bed and placed them on the cold ground. As I shuffled over to my suitcase, I decided to unpack now. I put my hair up in a ponytail and began to remove what little possessions from the bag. I was halfway through my makeup bag when I heard a bell ring downstairs.

"Breakfast!" Someone called.

Well, that's one way to let everyone know. I made a mental note: bell means food. Bells were good. Food was good.

I put some sweatpants on and followed the flood of people downstairs to the dining room. "Hey, sunshine!" Josh greeted me as I entered the room.

"Morning."

"I'm glad to see you made it through the night. Sleep well?" He said. I nodded. He smiled.

"I'll introduce you to everyone in a few minutes!" He happily said as he walked away. I was glad he was gone. My head was throbbing from the loudness of his voice. He must be a morning person. Me, on the other hand, not so much. Oh well. I look like every other person, tired and beaten down. Everyone took their seats, and I chose one at Cara's table.

I had just started a conversation with the people at nth table when Josh stood up and told everyone to be quiet.

"We have a new refugee!" He said. Refugee. That was a good word.

Everyone cheered and he gestured me to come up to the front of the room. I slowly stood up, and walked to the front.

"Now, tell us your name, age, where you're from and why you're here."

I nodded and took a deep breath. Start with the simple stuff.

"My name is Jessica Folley. I am 18 years old, and I'm from Powell." I took another deep breath. "Long story short, my aunt kicked me out of my house and took my little sister away from me. I don't have any other family... So here I am."

Some people clapped. Some people looked like they pitied me, and others looked like they knew the feeling.

"Now you have a place where you belong, right?" Josh smiled. Everyone cheered.

But that was when I took a good hard look at all the people looking back at me. All dull, tired, and lifeless. With dark bags under their eyes, with scars all over their pale skin. Scabs from needles on their arms, burns on their lips from cigarettes and blunts. Blood shot eyes. Missing teeth. Nails that had been bitten down to nothing. Transparent smiles to cover up the fact that they had never been happy once in their sad lives.

And that's when it hit me.

This is not where I want to belong.