Shame the Stars || Finn Wolfhard x OC

1. new life

The car rumbles along the highway, jolting every so often as it hits a bump in the asphalt. Bright streetlights whizz past in blurs of white and I could feel my eyes getting heavy.

"Excited to meet your new family, Grace?" Manny asks me. Manny is... well I'm not exactly sure what his job is but he's been looking after me ever since I left the Children's Home.
"I guess, I've never met a Canadian before but everyone says they're really nice." I reply offhandedly. I fiddle with the cord of my faded hoodie.

"I'm mostly nervous." I admit. "Do you think they're gonna like me?"
Manny smiles warmly.
"Of course pumpkin."
"I told you to stop calling me that!" I laugh. I push my hair out of my face and look out the window lazily. We are nearing the city and buildings rise up above us, coloured lights dotting the otherwise dark sky.

Vancouver. It had taken 2 flights to get from Sydney to Vancouver, which left me exhausted and ready to just flop into bed. Canada was a long way away from Australia, but if it means getting a safe home and a family that loves me, I'm willing to sacrifice my sleep. And for me, that's saying a lot.

● ● ●

We pull up outside a tall blue house bordered by a quaint white fence. My first impression is that the family is very rich, but I suppose 13 years of living in an overcrowded, century-old house that should have been demolished 10 years ago does lower your standards a bit. Manny hauls my suitcase out of the back of the cab for me and jumps up the steps to ring the doorbell. Moments after the chiming tones rang through the house the door flies open and I am engulfed in a tight hug.

"Oh darling, it's so good to see you in person!" Marianne coos. I had FaceTimed the whole family before but since we lived so far apart it was difficult to arrange a meeting in person. She let go and pulled me inside.
"Come in, come in. The kids are upstairs- kids! Grace is here!" I hear clattering and look up to see the three kids racing down the steps. Their house seems even bigger on the inside, if that's possible. Compared to the dimly lit rooms and shared dorms of my old home it was positively luxurious.

"Grace!" Yells Emma, the oldest. She too hugs me tightly and I stand awkwardly, overwhelmed by it all. She stands back and looks me over.
"Honestly, you're prettier, and taller in person." She tells me. I blush and thank her. At Children's, no one even looked at you, let alone gave you compliments.
"Graaace!" Yell the twins simultaneously. The one on the right, who I recognise as Nick holds up his hand for a high five. I slap it and turn to Will, who just gives me a quick fist bump.
"Come on, we'll show you your room." He says.

They race back up the stairs, leaving me to lug my suitcase slowly up the stairs. When I arrive at the landing, they excitedly take my bag and dance into the second room on the right.
"That's Emma's room." Nick says, and points to the one next to mine. "And opposite are our rooms."
He opens my door, revealing a huge (for me) room with a window stretching across one wall. It has a large bed in one corner and a desk/bookshelf combination in the other. I sigh and flop onto the bed.
"Do you like it?" Will asks.
" I love it."

● ● ●

Manny leaves soon after to go back to the airport, and I'm left with my new family. Marianne cooks spaghetti (yumm) while Emma, Nick and Will question me about Australia.
"Is it true you guys go to school on kangaroos?" Will asks eagerly. I laugh.
"No way, that's so stupid. Do you guys go to school on moose?" I giggle.
"So what's it like in Canada?" I ask.
"Cold." Emma says. "It's like-"
"Dinner's ready, go wash your hands." Marianne calls. I follow the others into the kitchen and scrub my hands at the sink. It's been so long since I properly showered that my fingernails are full of dirt.

Marianne is an amazing cook, her spaghetti and meatballs are the best food I've ever tasted. She puts aside some food for Ben, her husband and my new father. Apparently he is getting home late tonight and I will meet him tomorrow. After dinner, Emma lets me have first shower. I spend a good 20 minutes scouring myself until I'm squeaky clean. They have hot, running water that is a luxury that Children's could barely afford. I'm so exhausted that I fall asleep on my new bed, in my new room, dreaming about my new life.