The Life of Charolette

I started blankly at Ms.Roberts. Was she serious? Am I really getting adopted? Thoughts whirled in my mind as I tried to balance myself on the stair rail.

"It's going to be fine, I promise. Besides, you've already met them. Remember the interview you had about two months ago?"

I nodded my head meekly. I remember that interview like it was yesterday. The couple sat, I sat. They asked questions, and I answered them. It was the typical interview. When they asked what I did for fun, I told them how I write poetry and enjoy sketching. When they asked if they could see some of my work, I looked down. Fumbling with the hem of my hoodie, I whispered ''Their a bit personal.." The couple nodded, whispered a bit, and that was it. They left and I went back to doing, whatever I was doing.

"W-why are t-th-they adopting m-m-me?" I stuttered, completely shell shocked. Why me? I'm not special.. I'm not as interesting as the rest of the kids here. I'm not even popular at my school. Why would they want... Me?

"Because," Ms.Roberts whispered.. I could see the tears swelling in her eyes. "They like you, they want you. That's how it goes."

Ms.Roberts had tears falling down her cheeks now. I hugged her tightly, her black curley hair getting in my eye. "You have to start packing... I'm bringing you to their house tomorrow," Ms.Roberts whispered. I nodded my head against her shoulder and let go of her. She took a step back, her eyes scanning quickley across my face. Remembering every detail.

"Good night," I whispered as I slowly took a step back towards the staircase. "Good night," I heard her whisper as she ran around the corner; her hand's whiping the tears from her eyes.

Once I got in my room, I slammed the door shut... Before realizing it was eleven p.m. and people were trying to sleep. I slowley opened my door again and whispered "Sorry," out into the empty hallway.

"Girl, you best be apologizing to me when you say that," I heard Louise bark from across the room.

Louise and I have been roomates for about two years now, but that dosent mean were close. At all.

"Sorry," I whispered, my voice hoarse and shakey from all the tears I was trying to hold back. I heard a shuffling of blankets across the room, and I turned to see Louise's outline in the dark room. "Girl, you sound as if you crying. What's up?"

I sat on my bed, sending creases throughout the brown comforter. "I-I'm leaving Louise. Tomorrow, I'm being adopted.."

Slowly, I watched as Louise's shadowey figure came over and took a seat next to me. "Oh," She mumbled. "That's, that's good.. right? Whatchuve wanted?" I nodded my head- afraid to speak. The truth is, I've never wanted to be adopted. I'd hate to live the regection that I've seen so many times. Your'e gone for a few months.. then bam! Your'e right back in here.. more broken and hopless then ever.

"I'ma miss you girl. But hey, least you get your own room now," Louise joked, I could tell she was trying to lighten the mood. I managed out a fake laugh, "Louise, I think we better go to sleep now.. I'm as tired as I could be- with the day's event and all." I watched as Louise nodded. She gave me a friendly pat on the shoulder before heading back over to her bed.

I lied awake for hours, not knowing what to do. I'm really not tired at all. I'm supposed to be packing, but I don't want to disrupt Louise from her slumber. I stare at the roof,  drawing little fantasies in my head of what tomorrow could be like.

I would wake up, probably around noon cause I forgot to set my alarm. I would walk over to the kitchen where the Mrs. and Mr. Felin would be standing, waiting, for my arrival. As soon as I entered the room, they both started screaming at me. Telling me how irresponsible I was for waking up so late.

"What if we wanted to do something? How could we with you passed out in your room for half the day?" Mrs. Felin yelled

"Do you think you're a princess here? You can't just do whatever you want!" Mr. Felin added into the screaming.

"Why do you need to be such a brat?"

"Are you really this selfish?"

"If we'd known how rude you are, we would have never adopted you!"

"Then just send me back!" I screamed, covering my ears to block out their constant insults.

Slap.

"Don't you dare talk back to us ever again you little twat," Mr. Felin spit at me. "We're taking you back first thing tomorrow, so pack your stuff and get out of our sight."

Yup. That will definitely happen.

***

I woke up groggily, slapping my hand against my eyes to block out the rays of sunlight cascading around me. Glancing at the clock, I noticed it was almost nine. I've missed breakfast and Ms. Roberts would probably be taking me to Mr. and Mrs. Felin's house at noon. "Great," I sighed to myself. I barely have enough time to pack, and now I don't even have time to say goodbye to Rex, my best friend. I glanced over to Louise's bed, noticing she was gone.

I reached under my bed and pulled out my old blue duffel bag. I've had it for about ten years, and it showed.

Dragging myself out of bed, I walked over to my dresser and pulled open the drawers. After changing into today's outfit (which consists of black skinny jeans and a loose fitting black shirt with feathers falling down the side, along with converse) I started to take the clothes out of my drawers and into my bag.

Two hours and forty seven minutes later my half of the room was stripped bare. Staring at the blank walls one last time, realization struck me. I'm leaving. I will most likely never see any of these people again. Ms. Roberts, Rex, even Louise.

Then I started to cry. I collapsed onto the floor, burying my head in my hands. Tears were flowing down my cheeks like a stream, and nothing could hold the water back. 'I'm glad I didn't put on any makeup yet..' I hiccuped. My entire life is leaving me.. I can't do anything to stop it.

I ran out of my room, and into the hallway. I was banging my fist on every door, "Rex! Rex!" I shouted. I heard moans of annoyance coming from inside the many doors, but nobody came out to stop me. "Rex!" I shouted again, this time running down the stairs.

I ran into Ms. Roberts, and she grabbed my shoulders holding me back. "What's wrong honey? You shouldn't be crying, you're leaving soon," and just when she said that the front doors chimed open. There stood Mr. and Mrs. Felin.

"Rex!" I shouted again, breaking away from Ms. Roberts grip. "Rex?" I heard Ms. Roberts shout from behind me.

"D-do you kn- know where he i-is?" I asked between hiccups.

"Honey, he left a few minutes ago for his job interview," Ms. Roberts stated. When she saw the expression on my face, she knew what was wrong.

"You diddn't tell him, did you?" She asked. I shook my head no, tears threatening to spill over again. "Oh honey," Ms. Roberts sighed, pulling me into a tight hug. "Is there any possible way we could wait here until he returns? He's her best friend." Ms. Roberts asked the couple.

"I'm sorry, but our flight leaves in an hour, we're already behind schedule," Mr. Felin responded in a sincere voice.

"Flight?" I screeched, whipping my head over to look at Mr. and Mrs. Felin.

Mrs. Felin nodded. "Were moving to Florida, isn't that wonderful? We'll finally be away from this retched snow."

"Y-yeah.." I nodded. Let me just go get my things.." I whispered before running upstairs to hide away my tears.