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CHAPTER 2,change
Eleanor lay sprawled next to Kie on the pull-out bed of the Château, the early morning sun streaming through the window and warming the room with its bright glare. The golden light felt almost foreign after a night of drinking and laughter, but it gradually began to shake off the remnants of sleep.
"Morning guys" John B called as he walked into the small living room, his voice peaceful, as if he hadn't spent the previous night indulging as much as the rest of them.
"Morning," Kie and Ellie replied in unison, their voices still soft and gravelly from the hangover that seemed to cling to them like a second skin. Ellie stretched her limbs, trying to dispel the heaviness in her head, but it was a losing battle. She caught a glimpse of John B lifting his drink in a mock toast to 'Uncle T,' who had taken on the role of guardian since John B's father disappeared. Eleanor had only seen Uncle T a couple of times, and each encounter had only lasted about 5 minutes.
Ellie turned to Kie, her brow furrowing slightly. "Amelia and Jack are going to kill me if I don't get back soon," she muttered, referring to her latest foster parents in Figure Eight. She couldn't help but feel a pang of anxiety at the thought of returning to their home, the very place that served as a reminder of the emotional cycle she knew all too well.
Kie propped herself up on one elbow, rubbing her eyes. "What happened to—um, what was his name? Chris?"
"Chris was a strange one," Ellie replied, her thoughts drifting to her recent placement. "I got sent to this new couple about a week and a half ago. But right now, I'm living the high life—they live on Figure Eight." A mischievous smirk crossed her face.
Kie's eyes widened with playful disbelief. "Well then, I guess I'll just call you Kook Princess for the time being," she laughed, dramatically gesturing a crown over Ellie's head with her hands.
"Oh god, no. Definitely not," Ellie laughed, shaking her head. The light-heartedness was a welcome distraction, but as she attempted to pull herself out of bed, the weight of her reality pressed down on her again.
"What are they like?" Kie asked, her curiosity evident as she swung her legs over the side of the bed.
"Nice enough, I guess," Ellie said, trying to keep her tone casual. "But to them, I'm just a charity case, you know? Their little pet project to make themselves feel good for a while." The words slipped out before she could stop them, and she felt the familiar heaviness in her chest. There was a deep sadness woven into her voice, a reminder of the feeling of being unwanted that had shadowed her for years.
