Where Did The Time Go?

Olivia

July 25th 2015

"Snapchat time!" I called over to my best friend Stephanie. We were in the park just up from her house and my foster home, in Houston. We'd been friends since 5th Grade and were almost inseparable.

"Coming!" She shouted from the climbing frame at the other end of the park. She came running over to the swing where I sat, her long hair flowing behind her.

We stuck our tongues out for the photo then fell into a fit of giggles. Our laughter was interrupted by Damned If I Do Ya ringing out from my phone- one of my favourite All Time Low songs. I checked the caller ID before answering.

"Hey Sally, what's up?" I spoke into the phone. Sally was my 'foster mom' who'd I'd been living with pretty much since the accident.

"Now?... Okay... Be right home... Yeah I'll tell her... Okay bye!"

"What was that all about?" Steph titled her head to one side like a confused little puppy.

"I've got to go home. Lisa is there." I sighed, "But today was so much fun! We still up for a movie day next Saturday?"

Steph smiled, "100% percent!"

We headed out of the park and to the end of the road.

"Hug?" I stretched out my arms. She hugged me back and we parted ways.

"Text me what Lisa says!" Steph shouted back at me.

"Will do!"

- - - - -

"Sal! Lisa! I'm home!" I threw my hoodie down by the door to pick up later.

"We're in here, Olivia." Lisa's voice floated from the lounge.

I strolled in to see my foster mother and care worker sat side by side on the couch. Sally looked close to tears.

"Is everything okay?" I sat down in the arm chair opposite.

"Olivia..." Lisa started, "Do you remember how, when your parents died, you had relatives that we wouldn't let you live with?"

My eyes welled up and I nodded, "Yeah?"

"It's because... You were adopted, Olivia. Your biological parents gave you up when you were born because it was a teenage pregnancy." Tears started streaming down my face.

"So...?" I was a little confused where she was going with the conversation.

"Since your adoptive parents died, you must live with a blood relative or be fostered. We've been looking for your biological parents, and we've found your father." Lisa pulled a brown envelope out of her oversized purse and handed it to me. Sally was silent, looking terrified.

"What's this?" I asked, although I already knew.

"That envelope contains some information about your father. A photo, name, age, location and so on. I'd recommend you open it, as you've got to go and live with him, I'm afraid." She closed her purse and stood up, "I'll be back tomorrow morning to discuss when you'll be leaving. Goodbye." Lisa gave Sally a consoling pat on the shoulder and let herself out.

"Sally? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Do you want some tea?"

"I'm good, thanks. I'm gonna go upstairs." I stood and hugged Sally briefly before heading into my room.

I sat cross-legged on my bed and placed the envelope in front of me.

"Okay, Liv, you can do this." I whispered.

I pulled out the sheets of paper and spotted a photograph on the first page.

"Wait, what the fuck?" I recognised the man in the photo immediately. His short hair, tattoos, that smile.

I looked through the information on the page.

"Name: Rian Dawson. No. Fucking. Way."

I held the photo in my hand up against one of the many All Time Low posters plastering my walls.

Everything added up. The photo, his name, date of birth. My father was Rian fucking Dawson from my favourite band.