The Adelaine Jones Saga

All For You, Kaereste (53)

Ella's POV

I am feeling nervous about tomorrow. I start high school tomorrow. I'm starting at a new school that I've never been to, Fairview High School. There's been so many things happening. I left my home, I left my friends, and I left my home country all in the span of the last few weeks. It's been a lot to deal with. This new house is going to take a bit to get used to. I wandered into the dining room and Mom had dinner at the small table set. I sit down to eat and then Mom runs a hand through her hair. We start eating.

"You should be careful at school tomorrow, okay Ella?" She instructs.

"I know Mom, no one needs to know," I reply.

"Don't mention anything about your past, Denmark, or Aarhus. We've got to keep hidden. We don't need your Dad coming to Grimsborough to find us." Mom continues.

"I know... I don't want that happening to us, we just got away from him and he's scary." I respond.

"You can only spill the beans unless I approve of the person that you are confiding in." She said.

"When I make friends, I'll let you know," I mutter.

"I know this isn't fun, and that this change is really hard for you, but it's what needs to be done. I'm doing all of this for you, Søde." My mother says with a sigh.

"I miss all of my friends back in Aarhus," I whisper.

"I know, but you can't contact them. Your old life is gone, unfortunately, this is your new life." She hums.

I've got to make some new friends quickly. I don't think that I can do all of this alone. My mom and I finish our dinner and she takes all of the dishes to the kitchen. I follow her and then I go to help her. She stops me and then ushers me to bed.

"You should get to bed early, I'll do the dishes. You should make a good first impression. I even got you a new dress to wear." My mother suggests.

"You got me a new dress? That's very nice of you... I hope it didn't cost too much." I return.

"The new dress is in your room. It's pretty and pink. I don't want you to be thought of as lesser due to us being impoverished. The cost doesn't have to be a worry for you." She replies.

"I love you, Mom. I'll see you tomorrow." I reply.

Mom smiles at me. "I love you too, Kaereste. I hope tomorrow goes well for you."

"Did you want me to keep the bedroom warm for you?" I query.

"No. I'll sleep on the couch. That's the way we agreed to, you deserve to have your own space." She replies.

Nodding, I headed to my room. I quickly got ready for bed and then noticed the dress that she bought for me. It's really pretty. It sparkles in the light of my lamp. I hope that it looks good on me. I crawl into bed and clutch the thin blanket. Mom bringing up our past brought up memories that I can't shake away. The abuse that I suffered when I was younger from my father.

I don't view my biological father in a very high light. Honestly, I wouldn't even call him my dad. He was the man that got my mother pregnant at 15. My sperm donor. He wasn't always a horrible person but he's done so many bad things that they override anything good he's ever done. Memories that I don't think I'll ever forget float into my mind.

In 2015, I was a ten-year-old girl living in Aarhus, Denmark...

Dad is drunk again. He seems to be like that more and more. If he's not as drunk as a skunk, he is miserable from being hungover. He's never fun when he's drunk. He's always angry and mean. As I step back inside from a long day at school, he's grumbling and complaining to my Mom, slamming down drinks. From bits and pieces I can understand of his slurred speech, Dad got fired from his latest job. He's gotten fired from another low-paying job once more, how wonderful. I got a test back from a mathematics exam I took and it wasn't good. Hopefully, I can just slink by if I'm quiet enough and go unnoticed-