Adopted By Who?

July 23rd

I was lying on my bed, taking advantage of the summer break. My music was turned as loud as it could go and was blasting through my ear buds into my ears. I saw my door open, so I took out an ear bud. Brooke, one of the nice and adorable six year olds, walked in, "Hi Kaywen. Ms. Howwy wants you."

I got up, "Thanks Brookey." I ruffled her hair as I walked past her.

I bounded down the stairs, Asking Alexandria still playing in one ear. Even though it was air conditioned in here, I was still hot. That's why I was wearing a Pierce The Veil tank, black shorts, and checkered Vans. I pulled my hair into a pony tail as I walked into Ms. Holly's office, where all the other thirteen and fourteen year olds were gathered. There were about fifteen of us.

Ms. Holly clapped her hands together, "Oh good! Kaylen, you're the last one to get here. I have some wonderful news for you all!" I rolled my eyes, fresh cut grass is good news to her. She's nice and all, but way too enthusiastic. She continued, "A group of nice men are coming in an hour today to adopt one of you kids. I will call you guys down when they get here."

I internally sighed, I've learned not to get my hopes up. All the parents overlook me like I'm not even there. Apparently since I like rock bands and dying my hair, I don't deserve another set of loving parents. And it's not like my hair is outrageous. I don't have a fringe, I've tried, but my hair won't comply. It's down to my back with my original black hair and neon blue and green strips here and there. Ms. Holly is big on individuality, so she was happy to dye my hair. The orphanage I landed in is amazing, it's just some of the kids and myself that make it seem bad.

I went back to my room and decided to throw on a little make up to look presentable for our guests. Just because I won't get a new home doesn't mean I can't look nice. I put on some powder that made me look even paler, black and red eyeshadow, black eyeliner, mascara, and a pale pink blush.

For the duration of the hour I listened to Pierce The Veil and read a book I found at the dollar store, Two Kisses For Maddy by Matt Logelin. It was really good so far.

Finally I heard Ms. Holly call for us to go to the main room, which was basically a living room. I ran down the stairs, in a hurry to get this over. I sat, well more like slumped, on the couch with an ear bud in. My mood perked about six percent because my favorite song by Pierce The Veil came on, Caraphernelia. Let me tell you, I've never related to a song more. I know it's about Vic's ex-girlfriend, but this song reminds me of my parents. Having to go through our house and seeing one of my mom's cooking magazines or picking up my dad's old hats was hard.

Soon Ms. Holly came in with four men following her. When she said a group of men, I thought she meant a gay couple. They looked familiar. I moved my bangs out of my face and took a better look at the group. I almost screamed. Pierce The Veil was in my orphanage. I looked at my shirt, realizing it was one of their shirts. "Holy fuck. Holy shit. Holy fucking shit," I whispered to myself.

Jaime must have heard me because he laughed and looked at me. I felt my face go red and covered it with my hair. Ms. Holly clapped her hands, she does that a lot, "Kids, this is Jaime Preciado, Vic and Mike Fuentes, and Tony Perry. They're in a band called Pierce The Veil. They're hoping to adopt one of you today!"

"Isn't that one of the gay bands Kaylen listens to," asked a thirteen year old boy. He was one of the main teasers.

When he said that, my stomach dropped. Normally I would have ignored it, but they were in the room. I suddenly felt protective of them, like it was my job to stand up for them. I stood up and looked the kid straight in the eyes, "Fuck off you scrawny ass bitch."

"Kaylen!" Ms. Holly scolded me as the guys started to laugh.

I rolled my eyes and sat back on the couch.