The Beginning {Preface}

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It was the summer of 2009, hot and sunny. It had to be at least 90 degrees outside. My best friend Kayla McCarthy and I decided to go for a walk. Living in a small town there wasn't much to do so we had to make the most of the small things. There was a rumor going around Facebook that Mr. Walters, a local business man, was fostering new kids this summer. He only lived ten minutes from my house so we decided to go check it out. I never knew what an impact that day would have on my life. Looking back at how young we were just makes me laugh. We were so innocent and didn't know what love was yet but that's what it turned out to be; real, insane, scary, passionate, love. He turned my life upside down but I never have been so thankful to meet such an amazing man. 

As I approached the house with Kayla, I saw a young boy carrying boxes out of a van. "Hey you!" I called out to the tall, slim, brown haired boy. I usually didn't approach people like this but it was time that I started to break out of my shell and be more open to new opportunities. The boy looked around confused like he didn't know that we were talking to him. 

"Me?" He said in a quiet tone. "Yeah, what's your name?" Kayla asked in my honor. She had more confidence than me and wasn't afraid to speak her mind. That's what I admired most about her. "Tyler..." the boy said again. Tyler, I always liked that name ever since I was a little girl. I have no idea why though, it wasn't that unique but I always found a comfort to it. One day at school I remember talking to Kayla, like all girls do with their best friends and told her that if I ever had son, I would name him Tyler. Maybe fate was trying to tell me something but at that point in my life I didn't believe in fate. I didn't believe in anything, I was 12 years old. This was probably the first time that I actually felt something for a guy. 

Finally I spoke up again. "Nice to meet you, I'm Abby and this is my best friend Kayla."

"Nice to meet you too." I looked into his eyes, they reminded me of two chocolate gumdrops. They were different than mine but they were so beautiful. I could also see that he was hiding something though. A dark childhood maybe? I didn't hear much but the way people talked made me wonder how he ended up in foster care. I couldn't imagine not having my mom around. She's my light, my hero, my everything. She raised me since she was 15 years old and a sophomore in high school. After I was old enough she went back to school and got her GED just so I could be taken care of. I never knew my dad but I also didn't let it get to me. My mom was all that I needed. We didn't just have an ordinary mother/daughter relationship, she was my best friend. 

"So where are you from?" Kayla asked Tyler. He was about to answer us but we all got rudely interrupted by someone yelling for him from the house. "Tyler!" Our interruption came out of the house and started to approach us. He looked like he was Tyler's age but had darker hair and hazel eyes, cute but his attitude wasn't the greatest. "Do you know where Derrick is?" He asked. They all must be new to town. I didn't recognize any of them. "Nope, I haven't seen him all day." Tyler replied to the other boy. Kayla and I just stood back and watched them have their own little conversation for a minute before the second boy finally looked at us and said hi. 

"Hi, are you new to town too?" I asked stupidly. Of course he was, it was kind of obviously but I felt like my brain stopped working because of the heat. "Just moved in yesterday, I'm Jess." Kayla said something next, introducing both of us. "So how old are you two?" Tyler looked at Jess for a second. "Thirteen." "Cool, a year older than us." I said with a obnoxious smile. Geez, could I be anymore of a dork? "Yeah, I guess we'll be seeing around then." Tyler said. "I guess you will." Kayla said with a flirty smile. She was much better at the whole boy thing then I was and I admit I was starting to get a little jealous. I didn't want Tyler and Jess to think that she was cooler and more confident than me. After a few more minutes of small talk, we were interrupted yet again by the third member of their little clan. The infamous Derrick, I assumed. "Hey, what did I miss?" He said as he approached the four of us with a charming smile. Kayla smiled shyly and looked away. The first time at a lost for words, I swear I also saw her blush. I guess I was taking care of this introduction. "Hey, I'm Abby and this is my best friend Kayla." I said, speaking up when everyone else was quiet. "What's up, I'm Derrick." He said. Making it known that I was right. 

"So how do you all know each other?" Kayla finally said again, just as curious as I was. "We grew up with each other before we were placed into foster care when we were younger." Tyler said. "Well hopefully this is your last stop." Kayla said. "We wouldn't want to see you guys to leave again." "Hopefully." Jess said in response. 

Tyler, Jess and Derrick were eight and nine when they were put into foster care. They grew up in a trailer park when child services were called and saw how unfit their parents were. It was truly heart breaking to hear what their young, innocent eyes had to witness. Their families were filled with drug addicts and alcoholics. They never celebrated birthdays, got help with homework, or were tucked into bed at night. Holidays had to be the worst time of the year the only real meal they received was in school; so they didn't eat for several days when the schools were on vacation. The only thing that got them through the rough times was each other. They bonded and became their own family. They weren't just best friends but brothers. When they were only in elementary school they made a pack that if they were ever to be separated, the others would fight back so they could stay together. Even to this day they never leave each other behind. 

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