Living with the Grace Boys

Chapter 1

Rae's POV

I walk into College Park High School and head for my locker. My best friend Lanie is already there, waiting for me. I reach her as she unlocks our shared space. We both throw our things inside, she shuts it, and turns to me.

"Is today the day you go to your new foster home?" She knows all about my situation. We have been best friends for as long as I can remember.

"Yeah. Supposedly there will be kids that are actually my own age." I sigh.

The last two foster homes I've been in sucked. I was the oldest in both and always had to care for the younger kids. The first adult said I was too much of a hassle. I don't know why I have to leave my second one. After school , I'm going to the new home for me and I hope I can stay. Moving around is tough.

DING! First period. I walk into English class and sulk into a seat in the back. Between the Grace twins.

The Grace twins are part of the notorious group of so called "bad boys" that hang out behind the fields in between classes. Everyone says they smoke and do drugs, but they are all too scared to go back there.

They give me a weird look like "what the fuck?" I don't blame them. I used to be the know-it-all who sat in the front of the class and got straight A's. I mean I still get A's, but I don't like to draw attention to myself anymore. Not since the crash.

I lost my entire family in that crash and I couldn't bear to go to school and face everyone for a week. They all would glance in my direction, when I got back, and whisper to the others that I was "the girl who lost her family in the crash". It stung to hear those words and barely anyone gave their compassion. Lanie was one of the few who did.

**********

The final bell rang and I rushed outside to find Mr. Jones, the child services worker, waiting for me. I knew that we had to go to the house to get my things before he could bring me to the knew one.

I was completely nervous. I have done this before twice now, but this time there will be kids my own age. I imagine what I want the family to be like as I pack my things in the bedroom that I used to share with 4 toddlers. I say my goodbyes and hop into the running car. Mr. Jones told me that it would only be a 20 minute ride.

We pull into a long, narrow drive way. I can see a big lawn with lots of trees groomed precisely in front of a mansion. From the outside it looks pristine and clean. I really hope that the family inside matches the house's outside.

I walk up the front porch with Mr. Jones; giddy with excitement bubbling from my toes up to my head. He rings the bell and we stand still for a few seconds before the door is opened. We step inside.

I'm about to meet my new family. The family I am going to stay with for a long time. I hope.