*Alexis' pov
"Hi. I'm Alexis Knight" I said softly as I looked up from my bed at my idols. "Nice to meet you Alexis, that's Jesse, Ryan, James, Mickey and I'm Adam" the man said with a smile, "and we are Maroon 5". That was the first day I met them.
Earlier that day*
"Lexi, come on sweetie, you need to eat," Ryder my best friend said. She was the only one that a knew everything and still cared. "I'm not hungry and don't call me sweetie, you sound like a mother" I said hiding my face in my pillow. She rubbed my back trying to comfort me but it didn't work. I sighed, "this will get easier Lex trust me" she said softly and walked out the door. It wasn't until the door was completely shut that I broke down. My body screamed in agony making me cry harder which didn't help. I heard the door open and I tried to control my crying. "Alexis" it was Kathy my nurse. "There is someone here to see you" she said lightly. I sat up and wiped my now red puffy eyes. "Hi Alexis, I'm Tiffany. I'm your social worker" she said. "Get out" I said angrily. "Now Alexis," she started. "No, don't 'now Alexis' me. I am not doing this. I'm not going into foster care for 2 years, I refuse! I've been working since I was 13, and I've saved every cent, I can take care of myself" I said scared of what my future would hold in foster care. "Alexis, I can't let you do that, you're only 16" she said trying to convince me. "Yes I can, I've been taking care of myself since I was little, I am not going into foster care, you can't make me" I said knowing full well she more than likely could. "Alexis," she start yet again, "no!" I shouted. The nurse jumped some and excused herself. "Please just listen to me, I'm not going to trust anyone I'm place with, it won't be worth the argument to even try. I'm independent. I can do this, I know I can because I've done it for so long. I promised I'll stick with my job and pay rent and go to therapy once I get insurance, but I can't go to foster care please don't make me!" I begged. Tiffany looked at me, "Alexis, I..."she looked into my eyes, "I'm not permitted to do that," my eyes plead with her. "I'll see what I can do" she said and left to make a call. I sat anxiously on my bed as I waited her return.
When Tiffany reentered the too I sat up straighter. "Okay this is the best I can do," she said and sat in the bed with me. "The judge said that based off of your testimony in court last week she is willing to try this. However, you will have to remain here for 2 weeks while a psychoanalysis is done. If you are cleared then as long as you attend weekly meetings with a therapist the judge will allow you to live on your own, as long as progress is made and you can pay for a place, utilities, and food" she explained. I nodded and looked at the door as it opened again. It was Ryder. "Hey Lex, I just wanted to make sure your were okay" she said. I looked at her and smiled a little. "I'm okay Ryd. You can sit" I said patting the bed next to me. "Alexis, do you understand these terms?" Tiffany asked as she stood to leave. I nodded and she left.
"Ryd, can I ask for a favor?" I said nervously. She nodded, "does your family still have that apartment available?" I asked. "Yea Lex, no one wants it cause it's only a one bedroom" she said looking at me strangely. "Do you think your parents would rent to me?" I asked. She looked at me with an "are you kidding me" face and said, "of course!" I hugged her, "cause I'll need it in about 2 weeks" I said. She smiled, "I'll make sure everything is there waiting for you". I smiled, Ryder was the most amazing person. I felt blessed to have such an amazing friend. "Thanks Ryd!" I said, "anytime" she said. We sat and talked a while longer before she had to leave to work on a school project. I thought about school for the first time in a month, it has been so long since I've been there, maybe month, month and a half. I couldn't remember. I pulled out my backpack and checked my agenda book. I had a month and a half worth of work to do. I pulled it out and started it. By dinner I had half of it done. I was always good in school I took almost all advanced classes. Kathy brought me dinner and smiled as I dug in. The food tasted amazing, I guess anything would after 3 days of not eating. When I finished I decided to go for a walk around the hospital. Kathy informed me I could go to any part which I liked.
