Omg it looks like Patrick has his hand in Joe's pocket. 😂
Both of my new "parents" were there to pick me up today. Its still weird to think of Pete and Patrick as my legal guardians. I grin as I slide into the backseat. Out of the corner of my eye I see Echo and James messing about on the front lawn of the school. I wave a little and see James look up to grin at me and wave back. Echo just smile and says something that makes James laugh. I shake my head and smile as I turn away, slamming my car door behind me.
"Ready to go, kiddo?" Pete twists around to face me from the drivers seat. He smiles wide, almost demonically, but in a good way. I nod eagarly at him.
"We'll just get the last of your things real quick." Patrick clarifys.
"Ok." I say cheerfully. Pete turns back around and pulls away from the school. I peer out my window and look over at the busses. I see a familiar swish of a ponytail boarding the steps. My stomach churns for a second. I hate that I'm leaving when Allie is still so upset with me. There's not much I can do though.
I try to push aside thoughts of my old life and think about the now. I tune into Pete and Patrick's conversation of who they think will be coming over tonight.
"Did you invite your friends, Luce?" Pete glances at me in the rearview mirror.
"Yeah, James and Echo. I think you'll like them." I smile at the thought. I really do hope they like my friends.
"I'm sure we will," Patrick assures as easy conversation takes up the ride.
We arrive at the home a couple minutes later. I just hop out of the running car and head inside. Ms. Newbury is the only one here, and she's in her office. I hurry past the cracked door to avoid that awkward conversation. I push open the bedroom door one final time.
The slightly cooled air hits my face and it seems to finally sink in that this really is the last time I'll be here. While I hate the place and all it stands for, I was practically raised here. I remember the few girls who had passed through here. The week I got here I met a girl named Elle. She was two years older than me, but the best friend I had for the first year I had spent here. She helped me through all the firsts without a family; Christmas, birthday, Thanksgiving. She was adopted by an Indian couple a week after my tenth birthday. I remember how quiet I was for about a month after she left. I had lost my only real friend. That was when I met Allie. I guess I can't really blame her for being upset. I've been there.
I hear the front door open and a burst of chatter mingle from downstairs. I shake my way out of my thoughts and hurry over to pick up my suitcase. The contents shift slightly as I lift it upright. Its a little heavier than I remembered but I still wasn't near full. I pull it off my old bed and make my way back to the hall. I hear footsteps on the stairs and hurry to walk down them, keeping my head down to avoid confrontation.
I pass the girl on the stairs and see the front door. Almost there. I reach up to turn to knob, but feel an arm on my elbow. I jump and try to pull away.
"Wait," she says. That's the last person I had expected. I look up from my hair.
"What?" I ask in a quiet voice. She looks down at me.
"I- I mean- is this really it? Are you really leaving?" I nod. "I'll miss you Luce."
"Me too, Allie, really." She gives me a tiny smile, which I return.
"Take this at least." She holds her palm out, low so I can see what she's holding. In it is the locket. I'm shocked to say the least. Honestly, I had expected her to give it away. I take it nonetheless.
"Thanks," I take it without looking up. She hums and starts to turn away. "Wait," she turns back and looks at me.
I quickly set down my suitcase and pop it open. I dig through for a moment until I find what I'm looking for. Its a black cord bracelet with a silver star charm. I hold it out to her.
"Something to remember me by," I shrug from my kneeling position on the linoleum.
"Thanks," she says as I latch my case back closed. I scoop it back up and stand.
"Bye, Allie."
"Bye, Lucy."
I turn and exit the home one last time, feeling an odd sense of closure. Closing the last part of my life, readily preparing for a new one.
I walk slowly down to the car, counting my every step. I don't look up until I see the tires next to my toes. Then I turn and look up at the old run-down building that I had spent the last eight years of my life in. It stares down at me, the way buildings do.
Its been interesting. Time to move on though.
I send my final regards to the place and turn back to the car. Pulling open the back door and sliding in my suitcase. I sit next to it and click on my seatbelt.
"Ready to go?"
"Yeah," I say, because really this place has given me all it can. "Let's go."
And with that, I'm off to a whole new adventure. I can only imagine what could happen next.
BTW I wrote this whilst dying my hair bc I had nothing else to do. You're welcome.
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I Promise || Adopted by Peterick
Fanfiction*Completed Lucy Ann Crowley was left on the highway at age seven. Her mother said she'd be right back. She said she promises. After daddy left mama promised she'd never leave. But one day she did. Eight years later she's fifteen and still without pa...
