How The Past Survived

Back To Reality

I stared at Nate, a little overwhelmed by the memory that I had been blocking out for the past 10 years. He was looking at me curiously, but also knowingly, as if he understood what I just saw... what I just felt.

I turned away, letting my hair fall in my face, pretending to look at some waffles, suddenly emmbarassed.

" You know it's alright... you know you can talk to me about anything Scarlett." I felt his green eyes on me, even though I coulden't see them. All of a sudden I was filled with the love that I once had for him, as well as the overwhelming feeling to burst into tears. Unable to control myself, I turned around and hugged him - again.

"I know." I murmured on his sholder "I know".

***

That night I coulden't sleep. There was no heavy banging from the work men, no hidden hoots from behind the trees. Everything was silent, which reminded me yet again how alone I was.

Eventually in the late morning fatigue took over and I fell asleep, drowning in my own loneliness.

*Flasback*

I lay awake in bed, sobbing silently. Although it was way past 2 in the morning, I just couldn't fall asleep. I tried to be quiet, but I didn't do quite a good job as I thought...

"For goodness sake! What is wrong with you? I don't even know you yet I would jump at the thought of throwing you out of the window."

I sat up in shock. Jodie, Mrs Shelly's daughter seemed to be awake. The brown haird girl scowled at me through the darkness, while I sat up, mumbling an apology.

"Whatever" She said getting up and strolling over to her wardrope. "It's about time I get up anyway. Tom's probably been waiting ages now." Huffing she hurridly opened the door of her wardrope. "What shall I wear... blue or green"? She asked holding up two hoodies.

"Umm.. I don't know. Are you going somewhere?" I asked my wide ignorant eyes following her movement.

She looked at me curiously, before shaking her head and directing her attention beack to her hoodies. "How old are you? Gosh. Turn around, I'm getting changed."

A few moments later I heard the door open. "Don't snitch." She wispered, before slipping through the door.

I get up to follow her but I am stopped by the coldness of the floorboards, and I scramble back into bed dreading the morning.

***

"Girl eat your breakfast! I didn't make food for you to just waste." Mrs Shelly snapped irritated at me already, it was my first morning in her house. I'd hardly slept.

"Ohh leave her... she's soo skinny thats how she usualy eats. Silly girl. Did they even feed you in the place that you came from?" Jodie's question was directed at me. I swallowed spit that seemed to be stuck in my throat stopping myself from crying. I guessed it was a retorical question.. not that any answer would have helped the laughter around the table. I looked at my full plate unable to eat, or even try. After waking up, and realising that last nights events were real, I was filled with greif. Realizing fully for the first time that I was alone in the world.

Mrs Sherlly was not nearly as nice to me as she was when Amy was here. Obviously it was all an act. Her daughter Jodie - who thought I was a naive little two year old - didn't help. The whole day was misirable. It was September so school had started. Toady was meant to be my first day in my new high school. Starting Year 7 should have been one of the most exciting times of my life - signigng - I lookat Jodie regretfuly, as she talked excitedly to her mum about being a year 9 for the first time.

I sighed, wishing that Amy would arrive quicker so she could get me out of there. I already felt like Cindarella, and I'd only been in this house for a few hours. Eventually Jodie was ready to leave, and she went with many hugs and kisses from her mother before jumping on her bike and making her way to school.

Amy arrived around midday. She was greeted by a cheerful Mrs Shelly, before walking around the kitchen towards me, with a cup of - what smelled like - strong coffee.

"Hello Scarlett, how have you been", she asks bending down to look me in the eye, but she ends up having to look up at me. I shrug looking over at the random cat I'd only just noticed on the sofa. She clears her thoat before continuing. " I have found you a care home to stay in - it's only for a little while - but while you are there you will be going to Platoms High School, it is very lovely there". 

I look up at her my eyes widening I open my mouth but I don't say anything, letting my hair fall in my face - again.

I silently wonder if this school will be as good as Mount High - the private school my father had already enrolled me into. Sighing I look up at my social worker and burst into exhausted tears.

I want to go home.