Free

Chapter 4

***

The Next Morning...

I frowned when I heard my dad calling me to come downstairs. After making my bed, I shuffled downstairs and into the kitchen.

The clock read 6:47 am.

 "Dad, why in the hell are you screaming for me at this hour!!!" I said, pulling my untidy bun tighter.

 "I made breakfast, you need to eat before we leave at 9."

 "9? 9 am? Are you kidding me?? I'll have no time to do anything!"

 I stomped upstairs to take a shower and change into clean, warm clothes.

*

 When I came back down to the kitchen, Gage and Gracelyn were sat at the table with their plates full of food. Three waffles drenched in Mrs. Buttersworth syrup, a pile of scrambled eggs and two slices of toast- disgusting, I thought. My dad was standing over the counter, eating a BLT on burnt toast at such a fast speed, I'm surprised he didn't choke. There was a plate with two waffles and some eggs on it, and a small bowl of syrup next to it for me. I looked at the clock, 8:56. I cheered on the inside, looks like I'll have to miss breakfast.

"Dad, is it time to go yet?"

"Oh, hey guys, I'll be back at around 8 or 9 tonight. Don't forget to do your chores. Also, I'm leaving twenty bucks, Gage, for you to buy some dinner for you and Gracy."

 "Thanks, Dad." Gage said, hugging him.

 "Bye Daddy! I love you!" Gracelyn said, hugging him tightly.

 My brother and sister hugged me very lightly and said goodbye.

 My dad carried my suitcases to the car and into the trunk. I got into the passenger seat of the car and slammed the door shut.

***

Five hours and seventeen minutes later, I wake up in front of a large brick building with only two long windows and a big door painted yellow. My dad opened the door for me, I tried shutting it, he itched his elbow, then grabbed my shoulder pulling me out of the car.

 A short old lady, (maybe 160 pounds? 5 foot 2?) greeted us halfway.

 "Hello, you must be Greggory Wyatt and you're Gretchen right?" The old lady asked.

 "Yes, are you Ms. Leville?" My dad asked.

 "Yes, and Mrs. Stacey, will be Gretchen's therapist during her stay here. Gretchen, you will be in Group Two with Oliver, Tasha and Braylynn, your roommate."

*

 After about forty minutes of talking to Ms. Leville and my dad signing papers, he left. I was then weighed, after that I was given a short tour of the center, Until we reached a long hallway with powder blue walls and two white doors on each side of the hall, she opened the second door on the left and we went inside.

 "This, will be your room," she said.

 I nodded and she continued, "You can put your stuff away now or later," she said, setting my bags on a bed with a floral colored quilt, "do you want another pillow?".

 "One's fine. Thanks." I mumbled, softly.

 I quickly put my clothes into my small dresser and put my books on the bedside table.

*

 We entered a large room, with white walls and white floors, and wooden tables and chairs. There was a man with short spiked blonde hair in one corner of the cafeteria, with people my age, I assumed, surrounding him.

 "Mr. Kevin, this is Gretchen, she will be in your group." Ms. Leville said.

"Hello, come, Gretchen, sit down. Don't be shy. Oliver? Can you scoot over a little?" Mr. Kevin said.

 Oliver stood and pushed his chair over a good ten feet from mine.  He was about 6 foot 2, and he had luscious brown, messy hair, he was beautiful.