Harte and Soul

Chapter 4

I wake up in cold sweats. I've never actually had a nightmare before. But this one had me up crying at 4 in the morning. Odd thing is, I can't remember any of it. The only thing I remember, is being completely and utterly terrified.

    On a much brighter note, it's finally my 18th birthday. I can finally get this show on the road. Most people would have a huge birthday bash. My day consists of going to the coffee shop, drinking about 11 cups of iced coffee and making a shit tonne of calls. First, and most importantly, I called the people about the apartment. And I got it. I, Allison Harte, purchased my very first apartment. It's gonna be expensive. But with what I saved, I'll be fine. Luckily, being put in foster care, means I don't have to worry about tuition money.

    "Hey." I tilt my head to see that James has come to talk.

    "Hey James, what's up?" I try to make eye contact but he refuses.

    "So who was that guy yesterday?" I roll my eyes in hopes he notices. He does. "He stood outside yesterday since like quarter to 3 and then came in like just before you did. Is he a creepy stalker or something?" Wow. Adam wasn't late at all.

    "If you must know, our original plan was to meet at 3. I missed the train." He leaves it alone thankfully.

    "Well here's your french toast."

    After about my 4th cup of iced coffee I hear the familiar ding of the bell, signaling that someone has entered the shop. As an instinct I turn to see Adam at the door. He looks around until meeting my gaze. I notice a smile start to creep up his face as he walks towards me.

    "Hey" He says with a bright smile.

    "Hey, weird coincidence" I break into a light laugh.

    "What can I say? After you showed me this place, I became a changed man." We make small talk as James brings a cupcake with a candle to our table.

    "Happy 18 Alli." He speaks relatively monotone, to note he's not very happy about my current seating arrangement.

"It's your birthday?" Adam asks while also seeming slightly concerned. I let it go.

"18, thank god."

"Well in that case, can I take you to dinner tonight?" As much as I want to, I know that Elise was going to order pizza and sushi as my birthday/going away dinner as we watched as many Harry Potter movies as we can before we passed out.

"Honestly, Adam, I would love to. But my foster mom is actually planning a dinner for my birthday-" I think for a second "Unless, maybe you want to come over?" I try to read his face. I can't tell what he's thinking.

"Yeah sure, sounds fun" Shit. I just realized this means he's going to have to introduce him to everyone. That's gonna backfire 100%. I quickly send Elise a text.

Hey, so uhh, I'm bringing someone else for dinner so if you could tell Lena to shut her trap tonight that would be A+

Within the next few minutes I get a text back,

IS IT A BOY?????????

I reply with a rolling my eye emoji and

You shut your trap too

    "So you're in foster care?" Adam asks, he doesn't seem very surprised though.

    "Ever since I was born I guess. It's not as bad as movies make it out to be. I mean, I've had very shitty foster parents don't get me wrong. But my foster mom right now, her name is Elise, she's pretty cool." He stays quiet for a moment. 'Till finally his face forms a smile and he speaks.

    "Well, I'm very excited to meet her."