I tapped on my cup with my damaged nails, waiting for Julie to get out of the bathroom. She had been in there for practically an eternity and her coffee began to steam less which resulted in it turning cold.
She finally emerged from the small hallway that lead to the restrooms and slid into the booth.
"Sorry about that." I gave her a small smile in reply not knowing what to say.
"So..." She paused seeming like she wanted to say something. I gave her an expression, encouraging her to keep talking.
"Are you and Ashton a thing?" She asked. The sound of his name made me blush. I realized that maybe many other people attending our school had the same question, noticing that one day Ashton is with me and being flirty with me at lunch and other places, then the next he's with Julie and making fun of me, and then quickly after he is now with me again. I don't know how or when but Ashton quickly forced his way into my life.
My reply to her question was a slight shrug before I furrowed my eyebrows, looking down at my coffee. Were we a thing?
"In all honesty, I don't really know. He's really sweet and he treats me well, but I guess we don't have a label."
"Ashton isn't one for labels." I scrunched my lips to the side, disappointed. But a little relieved because what if he goes with another girl, it technically wouldn't be cheating because we're not together.
"I know." I wanted to tell her so bad about him telling me how he wanted something real.
"So what was it like." She blurted and my eyes shot up to hers which were very wide.
"What-"
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to say that. I just didn't know what to say and I know that you don't like talking about it-"
"No it's okay." I laughed slightly and her body relaxed back into the cushioned booth seat.
"It is a delicate topic for me. But it's weird. It's like, you know you're gonna move sometime, whether it's tonight. Or tomorrow. You know I could go to my foster home right now and my stuff could be packed up." She lips parted slightly.
"I-I'm so sorry." Was all she could say. It's okay really. I understand that some people can't imagine a life like that because they've always had great childhood memories of running around in their green lawn in the summer with their family and friends in the suburbs.
I huddled into myself, cringing in my thoughts about something that I had realized I always denied.
"I'm scared." I always have been.
"What?" Julie asked from my whisper. I looked up at her with worried eyes.
"I'm really scared," her face softened in sadness and guilt not knowing how to reply.
"I've always been. I've always had a pit of timidness and a frightening feeling in my stomach whenever going to a new home for a temporary time. Just knowing that I've been living my life like this is gut wrenching and heart breaking." My life has just been a carousel. I've been going around and around. And every time get off, I get right back on, on a new animal.
"I'm sorry, I really am Josie." She reached across the table and rested her hand on my shoulder.
The bell to the cafe door rang loudly and aggressively before a large hand gripped my forearm, yanking me from the booth. I was tugged away from the table, the coffee spilling in the seat and barely grabbing my backpack.
"Ashton stop-" He hauled me over his shoulder before he disregarded her comment.
Ashton trudged out of the cafe, making his way over to his car, carrying me over his shoulder as I pounded on his tense and muscle toned back. My fists repeatedly smacking his back as I glanced up to see worried looks coming from the window to the shop. I heard a click of an unlocking button and I was swiftly placed into the backseat of the luxurious car I have become familiar with.
