Unbridled Beginnings

Chapter 8: Unanswered Questions

I arrive back home on the purple bike at one o'clock, relieved that my transport didn't fall to pieces. I see Alison outside the house on her hands and knees, pulling at the overgrown weeds. 

"Afternoon,"she says.

"Hi," I reply.

"Where did you go?" Alison questions.

"Didn't Jack tell you? I went to the shop to buy some mi-lk," I say suddenly remembering that I forgot to get it on my way home.

I was thinking about how I should start training Nova, and if I should try to ride Sharki again. But in the process I totally forgot to grab some milk. That was the reason I had gone out, now what would they think I had been doing?

"Milk? I don't see any," questions Alison, her suspicions raising as she stands up to face me.

"Yes, I forgot my money," I say, hoping that she will buy my false story.

"Ok... well I'll let you off this time but you better become more organised."

I quickly make my way into the house, trying to get away from conversation but Jack is positioned at the table again.

"Where's the milk," he asks, looking at my empty hands.

I tell him the same story I told Alison, before going to grab a packet of potato chips.

"What's that?" I ask, looking down at the multiple papers that he is filling out.

"It's your application for Mayfield High School."

"When does school start?" I question, overwhelmed by his calm and casual voice.

"In one week, on Monday. You'll be catching the bus to school and back since Alison and I will start work again as well."

I don't say anything, just look down the papers that he continues to fill out.

......

"I'm starting school?" I think again in my head. "What will the people be there like? Will they accept me?"

These questions keep rolling through my brain over and over again while I lay still on my bed, twirling a loose stand of hair around my fingers. 

I must have been there for quite some time because eventually I realise it's dark, and go to turn my light on.

I decide to continue to read the book that I have started, so I get it and prop the pillows up on my bed so that I can sit up.

After what seems like thirty minutes, I hear Alison calling my name for dinner. I walk down the creaky stairs and into the kitchen where Jack and Alison have already started eating. As I pile spaghetti into my bowl Jack starts talking.

"Hayley I know you might be worried about your new school but you have to start somewhere. I'm sure you'll make good friends in no time," Jack states.

Alison starts to talk as well but my ears turn off and my mind looms to one question left in my head. How will I be able to keep Sharki and my new job a secret if I'm attending school at the same time? I push my thoughts aside for now, although they will stay there until I come up with a solution.

"So when you come home from school we won't be there until later," Alison says  .

I only hear half of her sentence but I can guess what she's stating. Maybe I could visit Sharki after school each day before they come home?

"Hayley!" Alison says, her voice raising in anger.

"Yes, I heard you," I reply.

......

It's 2:34am when I check my alarm clock, my eyes having to squint to adjust to the bright light. All the questions start to come back to my mind now that I'm awake, and buzz around, not letting me go to sleep. "Will there be enough time after school to go to Sharki? Can I keep lying to my foster parents? What will my new school be like?

Even though sleep was near to impossible thirty minutes ago, darkness obviously intercepts me again and I'm thrown into a horrible nightmare.

My new school is awful. I get bullied and I'm always left alone. I get caught by Alison and Jack, while going to see Sharki, and they take him away from me and send me back to foster care.

Hopefully that doesn't happen in real life. But I guess it could.

A/N

Hey guys!

I hope your enjoying my book so far! Please continue to read since it will get a lot more exciting in the next few chapters. Comment anything you like about it but no criticism please.

~Taylah