Blow Us All Away

Chapter One

Hazel's POV

I woke up to June sunlight spilling into the room. I sighed, and slowly sat up, knowing it was the last day of school. For most teens that's a good thing, but for me it means spending day after day with my foster family.

I stand up, and look at the picture on my nightstand. In the photo from two years ago, my parents stand next to me. We are standing on a ferry, the Statue of Liberty behind us. Our faces are all lit up. I smile slightly as I remember the vacation. I can't recall the last time I smiled that wide.

I put on my favorite T-shirt, the one with the Hamilton logo, and pull on a pair of shorts. In the bathroom, I quickly and quietly brush my hair and teeth. I check the clock. My foster parents will be up any moment. I need to start their breakfast.

I walk down the stairs, careful to skip the fifth one, which creaks. I crack some eggs and throw away the shells. Pouring them each onto a griddle I start to scramble them.

Just before the eggs are done they walk into the kitchen. I split the eggs between them, not leaving any for myself. I grab the salt and pepper from the cupboard and also set two forks on the table.

"Good morning," I say, thankful I was able to finish the food in time. My own family never would have made me cook for them, but after my parents died my aunt couldn't adopt me. The judge that examined her profile claimed that with one child already, her financial situation wouldn't hold us all up. She was probably right, but I would still rather be with her and Margaret than with these people. They don't care about me.

Donald scoffs, and begins to eat the eggs. Melissa does as well. I'm surprised they don't complain, as they do most other days.

"Hazel," Donald starts, "We have news."

Oh. I don't even know what this means anymore. My guess is that I'll be shipped off to another foster family. I resist the urge to cry. At least this family didn't beat me, like the last one. Or make me their personal maid, like the one before.

"We're having a child," Melissa says, excited.

I smile, "That's wonderful!"

"Unfortunately, that means you'll have to leave," Donald says. His wife nods sadly. I frown. "We're sorry, but we can't support two children."

"I understand," I say, and then add with a sigh, "I'd better get to school."

"Goodbye," Melissa says. She seems sincerely sorry that I have to leave.

I step out the door with my bag over my shoulder. I walk the mile to school and as soon as I get there I rush into the bathroom and break down in tears. Another family. This will be the third one in a year and a half. I wonder how bad they'll be.

I think about how horrible my life has gotten until the warning bell rings. I dry my face off with paper towels to try to make it look like I wasn't crying and head to class.

I love school. It's always been my escape from the drama of my outside life. Learning lets me take a break, and do something useful. Mrs. Adams smiles at me as I walk into home room. She's my favorite teacher because she reminds me of my mom.

We don't do anything exciting because all of our notebooks and textbooks have already been put away. Near the end of the day we sign yearbooks. As usual, I don't sign anyone's, and no one signs mine.

The bell rings at the end of the day, and people jump out of their seats, cheering. I step into the hallway and head out towards downtown. Melissa and Donald don't know I have a half day today, and I haven't eaten for nearly 24 hours. I need food.

I head to the Olive Garden on 47th street. They usually have extra food out back. I walk around the back and find a takeout box half full of noodles with Alfredo sauce. Score. I pick it up and start walking out of the alley. I look before walking out, then start to speed walk towards the park I go to sometimes. But just as I turn the corner, I run into someone and fall backwards.