Unbroken

Chapter 3

This is not me. I have never worn fancy clothes like this, even when my parent were alive. We didn't have money to spend on anything we wanted. This house, this room, it's all I've ever dreamed of since they left, being able to care for Libby without having to wonder where our next meal will come from. Standing here in front of this mirror in a fancy dress, and shoes, yet I still look like a rat.

"Arabella we're waiting on you," Catherine yells. I don't want to go to the palace and meet the royal family. What's so Royal about them? Where were they when I was homeless? I've seen the streets at night and it's not like the day time. They just spend there time eating their fancy cake, and fancy clothes. Like Marie Antoinette supposedly once said, Let them eat cake. Except this time instead of being in France we are in the United Kingdom and it's the royal family eating cake not the poor. "Arabella we can't be late." She acts like we're going to meet the King and Queen of some big country, oh wait we are actually going to do that. How silly of me to forget that.

Grabbing my phone of the bed I walk down the stairs into the middle of the hall. "I'm here calm your arse." Once Catherine checked us over ten time we finally leave out the door, I get in the back of their vehicle with Libby and James gets in the drivers side.

"You're in trouble," Libby sings as she buckles up.

"What are they going to do ground me? They aren't our parents Libby." I don't plan on being here forever.

"They will be." This child. "I like them," that's great, but I don't. "If you ruin this for me I will hate you forever." Libby glares at me making sure I get her message.

"Well I hope you have fun by yourself," I laugh. I am not staying in this house so they can look good in front of the people that run this country just because they took in some street rats.

"You're mean." At least something she's said today is making some sense.

"Okay we're ready to go." James gets in the car and Catherine in the passenger seat. In five seconds the screaming will start.

"Arabella I know we're not your parents, but you will respect me and James or there will be consequences." She didn't even wait two seconds.

"You know Catherine as kids we are taught about how we have to earn respect, because it's not given. I believe in that saying." That's all I have to say.

"Well Arabella I may not be your mom, but I believe in punishing children for when they talk back to adults. I can be the good adult or the bad adult." Catherine stares me right in the eye then smiles. "Great, you look good, but your hair is in a pony tail. Let your hair loose." No one touches my hair, no one.

"You don't want to do that. The last time someone touched her hair they were in the hospital for a day." You can count on Libby to tell everything. "She hasn't washed her hair in forever. It's a mess." That's an exaggeration. Well, maybe not. The only time it got washed was when it rained. If you can even call that getting washed.

"Your hair is so beautiful though. That shade of brown makes you stand out, and your eyes are just as beautiful. Your light green eyes complement you." Well Catherine no one asked you.

"We are here." James finally speaks up saving me from saying something I may or might not regret. Pulling up to the gate the guards let us in and James pulls in stopping at another gate heavily guarded, the soldiers stand side by side staring forward. I've always wanted to take a picture with them. Maybe tickle one. The second gate opens and we pull around the huge fountain stopping at the staircase leading to the doors.

"This is huge," Libby gasps.

"I want you on your best behaviors." Catherine turns around looking serious.