Love Drunk

Chapter 7

-Brooke-

"Yes. He is in custody and we intend to go through with the trial." I nod but the tears don't stop rolling down my cheeks. I wipe my tears away and sit down on the ground, next to her lifeless body. I hear a police officer's voice say something about a social worker and foster homes and I completely lose it. I cry and cry until there no more tears left. I look at the marks around her throat and hate takes over me.
"I love you." I say quietly and hug her. How could he do this to her? I never liked Joe but, I never though he was capable of this.
"Sorry, but we need to take her now." A police officer says and gently pulls me away. The tears stinging my eyes. I turn and hug Jack really tight. He hugs me back and I sob into his shirt. What am I going to do now? I don't have a dad, I don't have any living relatives.  I can't go to foster care. I will not go into foster care. I'm 17, there must be another alternative.

How does this even happen?

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"I'm afraid we will have to send you to a foster home." The social worker says and I fight the tears. I refuse to go into a strangers home. It's ridiculously unsafe. The social worker rants on about rules and other stupid stuff and I just keep my eyes on the table. I don't say anything for the whole hour and when she finishes her speech, the police drive me to my house and I pack all of my stuff.
"Brooke!" Jack walks into my room and I instantly hug him. "My plane leaves in an hour." He says quietly and I sigh.
"They shouldn't make you leave early. But I will come and visit. I promise." I say and look up at him. He gives me a weak smile and gives me one last hug.

Why? Right when I need him, he has to leave. He goes and I feel tears escaping again. I wipe them away and finish packing all of my possessions.

"Ready?" Ian, my social worker, asks as he enters what used to be my room. I nod and he grabs two bags as I grab my other two. We walk to the police car and stuff everything inside. I am not looking forward to this.

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"Come in!" A woman with light brown hair and a bright smile says to me. I manage to smile politely and walk into the oddly familiar house. "My name is Belle! My husband, Louis, will be back later with the kids. You'll love it here, don't worry, sweetie!" Belle tells me and I nod. "Come on, your room is here!" She leads me upstairs and to a very big room. My bags are already up here and waiting to be unpacked.
"Thank you." I manage to get out. She gives me a sympathetic smile and I smile back.

How has all of this happened in one day?

"It's no problem, Brooke! I'll leave you to unpack, dinner in about 2 hours." She says, as if I'm part of the family. I sit down on the bed and she closes the door behind her.

"Finally." I whisper to myself as I finish packing every last thing in my bags. I groan and collapse onto the bed.
How has all of this happened in 24 hours? Why did this happen? I don't fucking deserve this. I find my self crying and quickly wipe away the fallen tears.

"Brooke." Belle says and walks into the door. "Sweetie, you don't have to come down if you don't want to but, dinner's ready." She gives one of her warm but sympathetic smiles and I put my phone in my back pocket.
"I-It's fine. I'll be there in 2 minutes." I say quietly and she nods her head and leaves the room. I quickly touch up my makeup and tie my hair up. I go downstairs pretending that this isn't going to be awkward at all.

"Hi! I'm Casey! Are you Brooke?" A hyper little girl practically shouts at me and for the first time since this morning, I manage to properly smile. I crouch down so in her height.
"Yeah! Hi, Casey!" I say in that high pitched voice you automatically get when talking to little kids. She laughs and pulls me to the dining area.
"Hello, Brooke. I'm Louis." A man with slightly grey hair says and gives me the most awkward hug ever.

This family seems way too perfect.

"Brooke?" I hear a familiar voice behind me and I turn around to see the most unexpected person in history. I knew no family was ever perfect.