Changed For The Better

Shopping

M: Hey, you there?

I sat in Mai Lees car on the way to the shops. I'm wearing leggings, a shirt and Ryan's hoodie. This is the first time anyone has seen me with it and I don't think Mai Lee appreciates how much of a tramp I look right now, but it's fine. I haven't been out in a while at least let me wear what I want.

"Who are you texting?" Mai Lee asked. Wow nosy much.

"Who do you think?" I replied moodily. I mean to be fair it was a pretty stupid question.

"Do you keep in touch a lot"

"Yeah"

"Good. That's, that's good"

"Yes Mai Lee. It is good. What's your point here?"

"I'm just trying to make conversation. I don't like it when you're distracted by your phone"

"Well he hasn't replied anyway so" I turned my phone off and put it in the pocket of the hoodie.

"So how do you feel about Mike leaving?" She asked. Is now really the time for deep conversations Mai Lee?

"I don't care"

"You must care a bit. You can talk to me don't forget. And I can see that you're not being serious, so come on, what do you really think?"

"I really think, that my opinions are none of your business"

"Marie, if it upsets you that Mike is leaving, that's ok"

"Yeah but it doesn't. Do you really think that if I was upset that he's leaving today, I would spend the day shopping with you instead? No. I really don't care. He can leave forever for all I care"

"Marie!"

"What?"

"Think of all that Mike has done for you"

"All that he's done for me? What you mean getting me sent to live it's my maniac uncle and aunt and almost dying, making me homeless, oh and let's not forget when they phsyco couple fostered me and he didn't ask if I wanted to go! Oh and burneywood and the secure unit and almost dying in a fire!"

"Well, he's done good things too"

"Like what?"

"He's looked after you! He spent his time and effort to make sure that your life has been enjoyable and easy. He's cared for you"

"Yeah he's done that to everyone for centuries whilst he waited for something better to come along. And now it has. So he's leaving us"

"Why don't you try and look on the positive side?"

"What positive side?"

"Mike is doing what he enjoys"

"Then he must enjoy letting people down"

"No! Don't make it negative! Besides, you'll be getting a new head careworker"

"Whoopie doo(!)"

"Marie, you might not realise it but you've been here a long time..."

"Oh trust me, I know that"

"No. Listen, you've been here a long time, and some of the others really look up to you"

"No they don't. They all hate me"

"No they don't. They look up to you, and if you aren't open minded about the new worker and everything that's happening, then neither will anybody else. Now that isn't really fair is it?"

"What's not fair is you trying to manipulate me into doing what you say for the sake of everyone else! They have their own minds and they don't have to follow me. It's you and Mike that changed everything. Don't blame me when things go wrong!"