Broken boy

Welcome to California

Chapter 1

The chill floor made my spine shiver as I raced across, I was in a hurry to finish packing my very few belongings so I could get out of this dreaded house.

"Cameron!" My current foster mothers voice billowed up the stairs "Cameron!" Sharon screamed once more, by now having woken up the entire house.

I rushed to the door and replied "I'm on my way down" I grabbed my small luggage case and the ratty old bag I somehow managed to hold on too, even after all these years and moves.

I had never been with a nice foster family but Sharon was not the worst woman I've stayed with, the "home" was shabby but I was fed and not beat so already a step up from my last placement. I reached the end of the stairs and I ran out the door to the angry old red head waiting in the car, "about time," Sharon scoffed as I buckled my seat belt. She started up the car and we pealed away from the curb.

I shifted in my seat uncomfortably, " any ideas on the new home" I tried to ask as carefully as possible.

Sharon smacked her gum at me for a few moments then answered " Sorry kid, all I know is that wherever you're going it should be your last stop, your social worker says you're to old and there's a very low chance of you getting adopted."

I simply nodded in response, as a foster child turning ten is basically a sin, so there's no way in hell anyone would adopt a sixteen year old.

"Cheer up kid," Sharon remarked, " I also know that this new house is in a wealthy neighborhood"

I turned away from the window, I've never been in a wealthy home but from prior foster kids I guess I can say I've heard good things. I clutched my old bag and leaned back in the seat, I knew it was going to be a long drive and I figured I'd try to get some sleep.

"Welcome to California" Sharon said as I fluttered my eyes open, I looked around and saw only nice homes and lush green lawns. We had traveled far from my little Navada home.

"It's so.." I stumbled on my words, "different." I concluded. Sharon pulled up to this large white home with three balconies and a cobblestone driveway.

"Well kid I think they're waiting for ya, I'll see ya around the bend, I wish you the best of luck." Sharon spoke sincerely and I flashed her a wide smile, "Thank you" was all I was able to produce, although Sharon was a screamer and at times hard to be around, I can say that she has been my best foster parent yet. That was that, I grabbed my luggage and walked up the cobble driveway picturing what might be in store for me. Having been through this process so many times I had no expectations, even if I felt like I was walking up to the home of a Beverly Hills house wife. I walked up to the large red door, cliché, I thought, and tapped a few times. In the glass sideline of the door I could see my reflection, oh how I looked tired, my wavy brown hair was frizzy and my large blue eyes looked droopy and sad, suddenly the front door swung open and I was greeted by a short blonde women in a blue and white sundress.

"You must be Cameron?" She said happily as she smiled and waved me in.

"I'm Mrs. Sanford and this is my husband" She said ushering her husband forward, he stood tall and held out his large hand, with his soft green eyes and greying blonde hair you could tell back in his day he must have been very dreamy.

"Please call us Harold and Lisa." He smiled and backed away from the door to allow me to step all the way inside.

"Boys!" Lisa called in a sweet manner, I awaited what I thought would be more foster kids like myself but Lisa then said "My sons, Reese and Finn."

The boys traveled down the stairs with ease and as I looked up I knew I was in trouble. These two boys were tall and extremely well built to say the least.

"This is Reese, he's 17" Lisa said as she pointed to a blonde haired blue eyed wonder, he ran his hands through his thick hair then reached down so we could shake hands.

"And this is Finnegan, Finn for short, he's sixteen, like you dear," I looked up to his chiseled and tanned face, he had light brown hair, almost dirty blonde and blue green eyes, much like his father. Finn gave me a small smile and quickly looked away.

"I'm Cameron Heart, as you know" I blushed at how stupid I sounded. "Nice to meet all of you." I gave a shy smile and turned away from the boys faces, they were just so enchanting. This home was like a dream world and I was excited and terrified at how perfect it all seemed.

"Boys, how about you show Cameron her new room as your mother and I prepare a dinner." Harold said.

My heart fluttered and my cheeks felt hot, it all seemed like a fairytale but I took one look around and knew a girl like me would never fit in here. Both the boys led me upstairs and pointed out things like the movie room and bathrooms, finally we reached the end of the hall and Finn pointed to my room they left me to go inside and check it out. There was a plush pink bed in the center and it looked like a queen size, the room Mr. and Mrs. Sanford gave me was one of the biggest rooms I've ever seen. The walls were painted a soft blue and all the furniture was either white or pale pink, the small bathroom attached had a pearl shine to the counters and there were large white double doors connecting to the balcony. This was all like a dream come true. I was amazed at how generous all this was, but I was trying to refrain from becoming to comfortable in a home that might not last.

I set my small pile of ratty old things on the bed and felt so inferior, I let the feeling slide off when I heard Lisa's sweet voice call for all the "kids". I hurried down the stairs and realized I didn't know where to go from there, I stood awkwardly and waited for one of the boys. Finally Finn started down the stairs but he took one look at me and turned around, I looked down in defeat wondering what I had already done to make him dislike me. I ventured out on my own realizing I had already gotten to comfortable and had started relying on others.

"it's this way" I heard a warm voice say behind me, I turned around to see Reese, it was as if he had been watching me make the mistake because his face was almost trying to conceal laughter.

I cracked a smile "I'm starting to think you guys should put up signs" We both chuckled at the stupid joke and made our way to the kitchen.

"There you kids are!" Lisa said " but wait where's Finn?" Lisa asked worriedly.

"Darling calm down you know how he is" Harold said avoiding eye contact with me, Lisa's face hung low for only a moment before shifting her attention.

"Cameron dear how do you like your room, we can make any changes needed" Lisa seemed to pep up in anticipation of my answer.

"I love it, it's the biggest room I've seen in my life if I'm being honest, thank you so so much" I popped out every eager word, I really couldn't believe all they had done for just me.

"Oh wonderful, I was also wondering if maybe tomorrow afternoon you would like to go shopping with me, my treat?" She asked.

"I would love that" I replied, I hadn't been shopping in ages.

"Great now eat up" Lisa handed me a plate and showed me the food options. We all chatted for a while about upcoming school, my new school was Radcliffe High, same school as Finn and Reese. We all finished up and headed up to our own rooms. I took a quick shower and threw my hair in a bun and put on some comfy pjs. I stole away back downstairs for some water, but when I got to the kitchen I saw Finn, eating his dinner now.

"I'm sorry I just wanted some water" I said trying to be sweet. He barely looked up and just scoffed at my presence. If I thought Finn didn't like me before well this confirmed things. I got my glass of water and headed back up stairs, I decided not to dwell on Finn and look forward to tomorrow, I quickly drifted off to sleep.