I picked up my brush and pulled it through my hair.
Today we were getting a new kid at the foster home,so Mrs.Lynn told us to look decent.
For the occasion,I wore a soft pink shirt,a pair of light blue jeans,and silver ballet flats. My brown hair was in a smooth ponytail and rested on my shoulder.
A soft knock at the door interrupted me.
"Mrs.Lynn says come downstairs,the new kid is here."
my foster-brother Lucas informed me.
"Thanks."
I said, sliding on some Chapstick and following him downstairs.
For some reason a ball of nervousness rested in the pit of my stomach.
Why the heck am I nervous? I'm not the one joining a new family. I'm not the one that has to adapt to a new environment.
I reached the last step and seen all 12 of my foster-siblings filed onto the couches in the family room,along with Mrs.Lynn,who was on the phone.
"Yes and then you turn right on Duncan street and you should see the house. It's huge,you can't miss it."
she spoke into the phone.
I joined my siblings on the couch.
We all sat quietly and patiently.
My younger sister Leah looked over at me and smiled.
I smiled back politely.
Once we heard car doors closing outside,we all got excited.
Mrs. Lynn opened the front door and we all jumped up and ran out.
A shiny black Fiat was parked in the driveway,beside the family van.
Gravel crunched beneath my feet with every step I took. A man stood with two black luggage in his hands and a boy stood behind him with the other two luggage.
The man smiled as he walked closer to us.
I looked past him and the boy behind him finally lifted his head so that his face was visible.
He was somewhat attractive.
Short, dark brown hair, mocha colored eyes and a nice, average figure.
We looked about the same age,18.
The second his eyes met mine, I looked away nervously.
Everyone had welcoming smiles on their faces, so I followed suit.
"Oh my! Welcome,Cameron!"
Mrs.Lynn beamed,grabbing the boy Cameron's bags and handing them to the older boys to be put inside the house.
"Hello." his shaky voice spoke.
I almost felt sorry for him,but wanted to make sure he felt welcomed.
I remember when I first came to Chino Hills Foster Home.
It was the fifth foster home I had been to,so I know how he's feeling.
He looked at me again,but this time I smiled back.
He returned the gesture.
I could feel my cheeks heat up.
I'm not used to being around attractive guys,all the ones at my school are just,ugh.
Cameron's 'dad' and Mrs.Lynn talked a little while longer before they said their goodbyes and he drove off.
None of us could stop smiling at the fact that we got a new sibling.
We all walked back to the house.
Cameron was quiet and kept to himself. Well at least that's what I've observed so far.
Once we were all inside Mrs. Lynn looked at all of us to see who she'd chose to give Cameron the tour of the house.
"Um,Rowan," she said. "Would you mind showing Cameron around?"
she asked.
My throat went dry for a second.
She must have noticed Cameron and I making eyes at each other outside.
"No problem." I said politely,even though I was nervous.
I picked up the two smallest suitcases of his four and headed for the stairs.
"Come on." I instructed.
He grabbed the other two and followed my lead.
The room assigned to him was right across from mine.
Great.
I dropped his luggage at the door and opened it.
The room was about the same size as all the others.
They each had fluffy tan carpet, spotless white walls, a large bed, and a television.
A laminated paper with the schedule on it was already on his bed.
I picked it up and read it aloud.
"Dinner is at 6,your curfew is at 8,your allowance is 30 dollars a month, Mrs.Lynn goes shopping for groceries every month and yeah."
He nodded,continuing to examine the room.
I showed him the rest of the house;the bathrooms,kitchen,computer,basement, so on and so forth.
"Do you want me to show you around the neighborhood today or tomorrow?"
I asked,standing in between his doorway once the tour was over.
"Tomorrow is fine."
I smiled,somewhat relieved that I could just rest.
"Alright. I'm across the hall if you need me."
"Thanks..."
"Rowan." I said.
"Cute name." he said,winking at me before closing his door.
