Brushed

Chapter 5

“Well, it’s later,” Adriana says. “Isn’t there something to tell me?”

                 I can tell what she’s thinking. She thinks that Panav and I are something. Well, she is terribly wrong. It sort of felt that way to me, but I don’t know how he felt. And I have no idea what that feeling meant.

                 “You probably don’t know Panav,” I guess.

                 “Nope. Don’t know him.”

                 “He lives close to us, and we found out that we have a bunch of classes together.”

                 “What else?” She frowns.

                 “There’s nothing else.”

                 “Oh come on! Tell me!” she demands.

                 “Well, he was in the baby room with me while we were waiting in the Adoption Center. We talked. That’s pretty much it,” I lie. He was more than that. He must’ve felt it. Could he hear my voice in his head like I heard him in mine? When he touched, did he feel that sudden burst of energy like I did? Did he feel anything that I felt?

                 Adriana seems to fall asleep quickly, but I can’t clear my mind as hard as I try. Tomorrow is Monday, but our family has decided to take a half day from school. Since tomorrow is the day that Adriana must go to her foster home. Her new foster home. I try to erase the thought, but I can’t stop myself from fretting about her safety. I recite the words of the woman from the adoption center that she said right as we left. ‘Adriana is going to have to come up with some proof that her mom has been kidnapped. We want to believe you, as we should, but we have no idea what to think of this situation. I mean, I believe you, but I have heard so many fake stories that we have thought to be real. So if you bring us any proof; a newspaper, a picture, a news article; we will be able to keep you with Nikki’s family. Meanwhile, we will be working on your case to find out what exactly happened to your mom.’

                 That’s what we have to do. We have to come up with some kind of proof. For all we know, her new foster mom is evil, too. The center said that this family was a well-known foster family and good friends with the center. I try my hardest, but I can’t seem to trust them. If I had been in the room with them, hearing their excuses first hand, things may be different.

                 “Nikki, are you awake? You’re tossing and turning like crazy,” Adriana whispers. She said she could sleep in a sleeping bag on the floor so I could sleep in my bed. I climb down from the soft bed and crawl beside her. It’s dark in my room, and empty as well. I’m not used to the feeling of a new house, a new room. Even after weeks, I still haven’t gotten used to it. Maybe I never will.

                 “I’m sorry, did I wake you?” I ask, just out of politeness. I don’t care if I woke her. She’s awake anyway. But it’s something that she would say.

                 “Yes, but it’s fine. I don’t mind. I should be awake anyway. I’m really nervous for tomorrow. We haven’t even met the family.” She sighs. I can’t help but feel bad for her. If I was in her position, someone would be dead. I couldn’t take it. But she has been asking so little, being so strong.

                 “Good, but I’m still sorry about my tossing and turning. Anyway, you have been through so much lately. What’s holding you back from tears? I would probably be in tears by now if I were you,” I put my hand on her shoulder. “You’re so strong.”