Finding Home | Finders Keepers #1✔️

Seven - Lucky Leather Jacket

I had the last class, which was Home Econ, with both Kelly and Christian. I was so distracted with Kevin seating beside me by my left side that I didn't realize Christian was on my right until I heard Kelly's voice behind him, talking about try-outs for basketball.

I had ignored them for the rest of the hushed conversations they had while our teacher, Ms. Zimmers, was introducing herself to us, until Christian taps on my shoulder. "Hey, would you be willing to wait for me while we talk to coach later on about the date of try-outs? It wouldn't be long, only about ten to fifteen minutes." My brows furrows in confusion, obviously not following whatever he's saying. "Going home, I mean? If it's not trouble with you."

Oh. I did come in here with them. I had completely forgotten that I didn't have anyone to catch a ride with even though I wouldn't need to if only I had taken my bike from home and used it to drive me here but alas, I had to leave it.

Normally, I would have no problem in saying yes—okay, I would have a problem given the situation I am. Could you blame me? Reluctantly, I shake my head. "I'll just go ahead early, if it's okay. I'll just walk."

"You can take the bus, Rosalie," Kelly interjects, still whispering. "You don't actually need to walk."

I shrug. I have the biggest problems with buses. It's not because they're big and scary but because I always hated the noisiness of people inside the school bus. I have a short-temper for that and I would end up yelling and starting a fight. "It's fine. I'm fond of walking."

That had been our short conversations because for the rest of it, when the teacher allowed us to do anything we wanted, Kevin and I talked for the rest of the period. It included things about the cute boys in this school that was a good partner for him and the awkward tension between myself, Christian, and Kelly.

Then, he talked how my leather jacket was bigger than my size. "What's that about?"

Playing with the hem of the sleeve, I bite the inside of my cheek to somehow purposely stop the tears that were threatening to spill. I don't think having a emotional meltdown in the middle of the class where there's more than thirty people is a good way to end my first day of school. "It's my dad's," I mutter, trying not to let the wariness that my voice can make when I'm asked anything about my parents take over. "He talked about how this was his lucky charm. He would say that it's why mom fell in love with him and then, my mom would jokingly say, "oh, honey, it wasn't the jacket. It was the motorcycle." My dad definitely had that cliché heartbreaker look when he was in college."

Kevin nods. "Your dad? Your adoptive dad?"

It wasn't long until I told my new found friends about my adoptive life. It wasn't as if it is a secret that I was adopted. They already knew who I really am, they just needed the short background story about whom took care of me.

"Yeah," I whisper. "You know, I never really looked at them as my adoptive parents. They treated me like I was really their daughter—they loved me, fed me, took care of me. They even became overprotective of me at times when there were boys that would ask me out on a date. Especially dad... oh, my God." Feeling horrified about the memories flashing before my eyes, I couldn't help but put my hands on my face. "He even borrowed a gun and would always slyly show it to boys who came into our house. It was repeated so many times that most boys wouldn't even dare to look at me."

Kevin smiles, chuckling at the memory I had mentioned. "Oh, do you miss them?"

"More than anything."

As I was walking through the hallway, ready to get out of this place, I stop when someone catches up to me and tries to grab hold of my shoulder. I can see someone in my peripheral vision, just not a clear view, so I dodge their hand and turn around and face them.