Adopted by Gladers

7- This is Family

I have realized that there is too many trigger warnings that I would need to write, so from now on this whole book is now on trigger warning. I'm sorry if you get triggered easily and still want to read this book. I mean no harm. You guys can always talk to me if you need. Xx

Margaret POV

Today, I tell the boys. This day already sucks. I cut again today. I hate that I do this to myself, but it's my only escape. Whatever.

Ki never really lets me get a chance alone. He's always with me, or makes sure that one of the boys stays with me at all times. Sometimes, I wish to be alone to think, but Ki does not allow it. I respect him for that, however it gets annoying.

Ki raises his eyebrows at me as he passes a plate of pancakes to me. He is asking me silently if I will actually talk with Dylan and Thomas. I give him a small nod and smile.

Ki smiles and says," Thanks you so much Margaret. I know it's difficult."

Dylan looks up from his plate. I didn't even know he was there. "What's difficult?"

I look at Ki with a pleading look. I don't want to tell Dylan now. Ki sighs, but obliges with my silent instructions.

"Margaret was just helping me with something. You know, me being stupid me..." Ki laughs nervously.

Dylan looks at me like Ki has three heads, but accepts the lame excuse and moves on. I honestly don't know how I am going to tell Dylan, but I know that I will.

"Can we go bowling today?" I ask shyly.

I squeal as Dylan gets another strike. He is on my team and we are against Thomas and Ki. We are winning and it's my first time bowling ever.

I wore a short sleeve shirt for the first time in a while. It shows my scars, but the darkness of the alley covers them. I'm hoping no one will notice.

Dylan and I high five and I see his glance flicker to my arms. He looks back up to my face and his smile is still there, but something in his eyes had changed. A look of almost disappointment spreads across his eyes.

That's when I know that he knows.

Luckily, Dylan doesn't push the subject matter at all. Instead we celebrate together.

Thomas walks up to the alley with a ten pound blue and green bowling ball. He winds up and releases the ball knocking down seven pins. He gets another chance, so he picks up the ball and rolls it again.

Gutter ball!

We all laugh as Thomas hangs his head in humiliation. He has a smile on his face though, which means he's not that upset.

Because Thomas got the gutter ball, Dylan and I won! As a celebration, Dylan said that he would take me out for ice cream.

Thomas and Ki drive off in their car while Dylan and I get into our own. Luckily, the bodyguards will meet us there, so the fans won't be too crazy.

Dylan jumps behind the steering wheel and starts the car. A silence falls over the two of us. This is not a comfortable silence as it normally would be. It's awkward.

"Dyl, I know you want to talk about it." I whisper.

He sighs as he makes a right turn. "Yeah, I just don't want to force you to say anything you aren't ready to."

I look at him and smile a little. "I'm ready."

Dylan looks at me to read my face. He nods when he knows that I am telling the truth. His silence is a sign that he doesn't have any questions, so that's my cue to start talking.

"I suffer from depression. I guess it comes from a family that took me home at one point in my life. They called me ugly, worthless, stupid, bitch, slut, whore, you name it, they said it. They sent me back. I wasn't so impacted by it until other girls in the orphanage picked up on that habit too. Every day I would hear those words. One of my only friends was depressed too. She cut her thighs before I knew what cutting was."

I paused blinking back tears that threatened to fall.

"You don't have to continue M." Dylan says softly.

I shake my head and continue "She committed suicide and that's when I really started to decline. I dreaded adoption days because I would always be left. Orphans came and went. I was always left on the side lines. No one would even give me a second glance. I eventually gave up hope, skipping adoption days. Just like I did the day you came. Most of my time is spent outside or in my bed. Places people won't normally go great lengths to get me. There are some days, where I just don't want to get up. Some days where I just want to shut my eyes and never open them again. I never get the courage to. That's what's keeping me here."

The salty water rushes down my face, pouring out of my eyes. I can no longer continue, but there's nothing else to say. I didn't notice that Dylan pulled over.

Dylan gets out of the car, picks me up, and sits me down in the backseat. He holds me and lets me cry. That's all I needed.

This is different though. I feel safe in his arms. This is family.

•••••

Dyl luckily said that he would tell Thomas for me. He just wants me to be in the same room. Dylan is like my best friend. I can come to him for everything, even if I just want to have a good laugh. This is such a nice feeling to have someone to be there.

Ki was sitting next to me, holding my hand. He squeezed it letting me know that he was here for me. I'm so glad that he can help me through this.

Dylan sits Thomas down, and explains my exact words. Dyl's eyes flash to mine every once and a while to make sure that he isn't overstepping his boundaries. My tears have blurred my vision and Ki wipes them away. It's no use, they keep falling. I squeeze Ki's hand, and he wraps his arm around my shoulders to pull me into his chest.

When Dylan is done explaining, Thomas asks, "Is it true?" He says it so softly and kindly.

I nod and lift my long sleeves that I had put on before. The angry red scars stand out from my pale skin.

Soon, I am crushed in a three way hug from my new parents.

This is family. My family.

Big chapter! Over 1000 words! Hope you enjoy and you can always talk to me.
Alacazzam