Jake led me down the long trailing stairs and we turned right into a big room filled with kids, that's when my nerves kicked in. The kids ages ranged from 5 to 17. A few of them were playing pool, some playing Xbox, some eating and talking and I could some others out in the garden.
"Everyone, this is Lauren. She's knew here." Jake announced.
"Hi" I said shyly.
"Lauren, This is Emma, Charlie, Cody, Max, Layla, Maddy, George and Katie. Outside is Dre, Emily, Rhys and Hazel." He told me, pointing to each one of them.
Most of them replied with a simple 'hey' or 'sup' before I was greeted by 2 very happy, smiley looking girls. One had fair, blonde curls that hung around her face and she had bright blue eyes. She looked pretty and wore little makeup. The other one had dark black hair that reached right down her back but it was tied up in a high ponytail. She had her tongue pierced, along with her cartilage, eyebrow and double earlobe piercings. They suited her well. They both looked like two totally different people, but both friendly.
"Hey, my names Maddy. And this is Emma" The dark haired one said, reaching out to shake my hand.
I gave them both a smile. "It's nice to meet you both."
Just then Paul walked into the room. "Lauren, can I have a quick chat?" He asked beaconing me to the hall.
I followed after him.
"Lauren, this is your new social worker Karen." He introduced me.
"Hello Lauren, I hope your liking it here. I've come to bring you your belongings I've picked up from your old house." Karen said, handing me another suitcase.
My heart stopped when Karen mentioned my 'old house' but I quickly faked a smile. I took the case from her grasp. "Thanks a lot."
"Hey Lauren, come here." I heard Emma call from the other room.
"Off you go then, I'll be round again tomorrow. See ya, goodbye Paul." Karen said as she walked out the front door.
"Bye" me and Paul both said in sync.
I walked in to room to meet Emma and Maddy .
"We have to introduce you to everyone." Maddy said excitedly .dragging me over to a young girl playing with some dolls. She looked about 5 and she was very cute. Her ginger hair-which was tied up in bunches- matched with her freckles.
"Katie, this is Lauren. She's new here." Maddy said kneeling down to her height.
"Hi" she said jumping up."d..do you like my princess dress? It's..it's new." Katie said giving a twirl and a curtsy like a princess.
"That's a beautiful dress." I replied and she giggled and skipped off happily.
I was then brought over to 3 boys who were playing the Xbox.
"Guys, this is Lauren." Emma introduced me. "Lauren, this is Charlie, Max and Cody."
"Hey." I said.
"Alright" "hey" were there replies, the other just raised his hand.
"They're boys, they're not much fun." Maddy laughed walking away from them.
"Although I think Charlie is quite cute." Emma admitted laughing.
"Emma!" Maddy exclaimed.
Although I had to admit too, one of them did catch my eye.
"Oh and Max, the brunette one, the one who waved at you, he's mute, he can't talk." Maddy explained to me.
"Oh, ok then." I replied.
I was then introduced to another boy and girl.
"And this is Layla and George. They're brother and sister." Maddy said.
Layla was pretty. He long blonde hair swept over her face. She was naturally pretty, with long eyelashes and red lips, but she wasn't wearing makeup.
George looked the same, with the blonde hair.
"Oh my god, it's like so awesome that a new person is here. It's Lauren right? And before you ask, yes I am gay." George said enthusiastically whilst laughing.
I laughed with him "it's great to meet you George."
I went to shake Layla's hand before she pulled me into a tight hug.
"You'll like it here." She told me smiling.
"You're very pretty." I blurted out. 'Oh god. I must sound so creepy.' I thought, mentally face palming myself.
"Aww thanks Hun." She said and turned back to what she was doing.
"Ok there are just a few more people to meet. There the older lot in a gang. You don't really want to get involved with them." Emma warned me pulling me by the arm outside.
There were 2 boys and 2 girls sat on one of the tables, smoking.
"This is Lauren." Maddy introduced me.
"Alright Lauren." One said giving me a head nod.
"Lauren, this is Dre, Emily Rhys and Hazel." Maddy said pointing to each one of them.
"Hi" I simply replied.
They wore casual track suits, snap backs, air-Jordan's. They looked like what other people would stereotype as 'chavs'.
All 3 of us walked back inside.
"You haven't unpacked your things yet. Lets go do it." Emma suggested.
I agreed and followed them both up the stairs.
I brought up my case and laid it down on my bed. I then unzipped it to see what Karen had packed me.
Inside I found: my clothes, makeup, jewellery, books, school things, headphones and other things.
I picked up my uniform and started to hang it up.
"Oh darn, you go to a different school to us. What's it like?" Maddy asked.
"Oh, you know. Just like every other school." I replied sighing.
"Fair enough." She laughed.
"Your room definitely needs decorating. We can get some money tomorrow and head out to town and go shopping." Emma suggested.
"Yeah, before half term finishes and school starts again." Maddy added.
"Cool, sounds like fun." I replied.
"So Lauren, do you have a boyfriend?" Maddy winked at me.
Josh instantly came to my mind at the mention of the word 'boyfriend'.
"Umm, well not exactly, no I haven't." I replied.
"Not exactly? There's a guy though right? C'mon, everyone must like someone."
I thought about the kiss me and josh had. I thought about his plan to make me fall in love with him. I did like him, and missing him made me like him even more. But there was something stopping me from loving him. Maybe it was the fact that I've never had a boyfriend before and I was scared that I'd be compared to his ex. Hmm. I smiled at the thought of him but soon came back to reality when I heard:
"There is! I can tell." Emma said clapping enthusiastically.
"Spill it!" Maddy told me.
"Well..." I started.
