The Bucket List

A New Beginning

1460 Days before...

The ride to Washington would have been smooth if it weren't for this dumb Social worker. I could have sworn she purposely hit every single pothole on that road. The drive was long and tiring, maybe even a little scary. I mean wouldn't you be scared if you were leaving your home and state to go somewhere completely new, Oh and you also have to live with strangers for possibly the rest of your life? I'm used to it now though, I've been to 15 different houses and this surely won't be the last.     My adoption agency was in Arizona and wasn't exactly the best place nor was it the wealthiest, so instead of flying me out to Washington like they probably should have, they stick me in the back of a car with a Social worker and we drive. Now let me say it was the longest 24 hour drive of my life, and that wasn't even including all the stops for food and breaks. Of course this lady had to stop at every single tourist attraction she seen and dragged me along. Now that I think about it maybe I should have been a little more appreciative, but she was just so annoying and perky.    

          After my very long and excruciating "journey" we finally arrived at my new and probably temporary house. The Social worker ,whose name I never bothered remember, shut the car off and turned to look at me telling me to stay in the car while she goes and informs the family. I only nodded and looked at the house, it looked okay, sort of average looking I guess it was a nice neighborhood. A few minutes later she came over and knocked on the window and of course I jumped a little, she told me to come out and meet my new family as if they'll actually keep me. I grabbed my stuffed lion which my mom had given me and my small suitcase. I hopped out of the car closing the door behind me. I lugged my suitcase behind me walking next to the Social worker. I could feel my heart beating against my rib cage heavily as I looked up from my feet as the lady knocked on the door to only tell whoever was inside that we were coming in.   

       As I walked in I could've sworn that I didn't see a speck of dust on anything. Me and the lady walked into the living room which contained a grey almost white couch, coffee table which I doubt they actually ever used, a fireplace and a huge television, basically the usual living room items. Looking over to my right I seen the kitchen and the dining room which a male with an ugly looking fedora was sitting and in the kitchen was a tall blonde woman who was wearing a purple scarf and pouring something into a cup. I heard pounding above me almost like footsteps and I stopped, looking up at the ceiling. The lady in the kitchen sighed and walked out going to sit next the fedora man. "You'll have to excuse john, he didn't think you would be here today, so he's just cleaning up" The social worker sat down at the table and I sat in the chair next to her. The scarf lady and the Social worker talked as the fedora man nodded and signed a bunch of papers probably concerning me.

     After about half an hour someone, who i assumed was John, came bounding down the stairs and ran over to my seat, almost slipping on the hardwood floors in their socks. The boy grabbed my arm "Karkat right?" I looked at his hand and nodded before looking back up at him. "C'mon I'll show you our room and all around the house" He pulled me out of my seat. "I'll also show you where you can put your bags." He smiled pulling me along. John then let go of my hand to run up the stairs as I followed him cautiously. I stopped on the top step clutching my lion tightly looking at john. He just smiled and held his hand back out to me. I took his hand, holding it tightly. John then led me to the end of the hallway to a door in which he opened.     

     Inside the room was a black metal bunk bed, a computer desk holding a grey laptop with random stickers, a few books and crushed apple juice box. In the corner of the room was the closet which had an empty spot for my own clothing. The bottom bunks blankets were strewn about while the top's were neat. John spoke up but I was too mesmerized by all the things he owned. "-at?" I shook my head a little and looked at him a little confused. "I said you can have the top bunk since  I don't like heights." He smiled again, why does he smile so much? I nodded. " Oh, and you can put your clothes in the closet or if you want I can do it for you? It's no bother." I nodded again. He talks allot. I set my bags down still holding onto my lion and  walked around the room a little. It looked clean. Certainly cleaner than most places I've been. I sighed a little as John started to speak again. "Oh um, if you follow me I can show you more of the house." I looked at him and he turned away to start walking. I followed him yet again.

          We walked around the house in about ten minutes, needless to say it wasn't a huge house. He showed me the bathrooms, which they had two of, his parents room who which are also my parents now too? He showed me the dinning room where I noticed the social worker had left, I didn't even get to say goodbye. John then continued to show me his backyard which only had two things; a swing set with two seats and an epic tree house. The tree house had 'Fort John' written in blue paint all sloppily. I guess John noticed me looking at it because he started to speak again. "Oh hey, since you're like my new brother I can change the name of my tree house to 'Fort John and Karkat'! oh man it'll be great, I can show it to you later, maybe after dinner." I smiled, which then turned into a yawn, John noticed again, He seems to notice everything. "I bet you're tired from all that traveling and stuff." I nodded "Dinner is in like an hour, so if you want you can take a nap and I'll wake you up?" I bit my lip and nodded again. I don't wanna speak until I know I can trust him for sure.   

  I followed John back to 'our' room where I yawned again. He handed me two pillows and a small comforter to put on my bed. I climbed the ladder and started making my bed. "Since tomorrow is Friday, you'll have to go to school, But don't worry we should have most of the same classes," oh, great I forgot it was Thursday. I remember one of the places I  went to let me 'get situated', little did they know I would be leaving the next day. At least tomorrow is Friday, so it'll only be one day.        

  It took me a while to fall asleep, but eventually I did. I didn't sleep for long when John woke me up for dinner. We both went downstairs and sat at the table where 'mom' brought us our food, which was spaghetti and yes, it was amazing. 'Mom' talked to john about school and then proceeded to ask about my car ride here. I told everyone about the stops we made and about how slow the lady drove, it earned me a few laughs even though I spoke quietly. When dinner was done and everyone was done eating I helped 'Mom' and John with the dishes. When we finished the dishes John and I went upstairs and prepped for bed. Both of us went to the bathroom and brushed our teeth and when I was done I put my pajamas on and climbed into bed. 'Mom' came into the room and said goodnight and smiled turning the light out. I fell asleep fast this time from being fed and having a long day.