Lions ~~~ An Adopted by Skillet Fic (COMPLETE)

The Older I Get

🚨MENTIONS OF ABUSE🚨

They say that you only get one shot at your life.

YOLO, right? You Only Live Once. 

You get the short end of the stick, and you're screwed. You end up dead before you can truly live. 

I got the short end. I'm stuck in an orphanage, and I'm going to be homeless in a matter of days. 

🚨 My parents were abusive and neglectful. They beat me and abused me until I told an old teacher of mine. I ended up here.🚨

No one wants an abused kid, so here I am. Getting kicked out in a matter of days. 

I walked down the hallway of the orphanage to the director's office; she called me down to update my profile one last time in a last ditch effort. I had make up on, even though I never wore it anyway, and my best outfit on too. Just jeans and a light sweater. I knocked on the door once I arrived, and walked in a second later. 

Mrs. Cardona sat at her desk, and when she saw me she smiled gently. We both knew that this was probably the last time I was going to walk in this room before being kicked. I sat in the chair in front of her and listened as she asked me her questions. 

"Alright, we're just going to fill out this form one last time. Remember, you still have a week before we have to get you out, so don't worry honey," The sweet woman said. 

I nodded, watching as she began to type.

"Your name is Aria Smith... You are 17 years old... Dirty blonde hair and the greenest eyes," She smiled at me and I struggled to smile back. "Your are a huge helper, and you love to read, listen to music, take pictures, talk fashion and sew. You have a very calm personality, and when you're upset you like to be left alone with your music until you calm down," She read off, "Still accurate?"

"Yes ma'am," I said.

"Alright, let's get your picture in and then you can go help get the kids into bed, alright?" Mrs. Cardona asked. It was getting late, it was already 11:30 and the babies were supposed to be in two and a half hours ago. I stood, and Mrs. Cordona followed me to the backdrop and took my picture. Within a couple of minutes I was out and rounding up children. 

I loved watching these kids. I was the only stable person they could depend on so they loved me too. I never wanted to be here, but if I weren't, I wouldn't have met these kids. Eventually, they went up to bed and the other caregivers went home. Mrs. Cordona, however, went to bed in her room. I slowly crawled into mine, wiping my makeup off and collapsing into bed by the time midnight hit

The next morning I was awoken to the sound of frantic knocking on my door. Judging by how light it was, and how early it was, it was probably a younger child needing to go to the bathroom. I rolled out of bed and stepped into the hall, where I was greeted by Sarah, a small 3-year-old who had frequent nightmares. Judging by her tear-stained face, she had another one.

I knelt down so I was at her height, "Do you want to come lay in my room?"

She nodded, so I took her hand and stood, leading her into my room. A small beanbag lay in one corner, so I took her over to it and sat down, placing her in my lap. She wrapped her arms around me, and within a minute she was asleep again. Not wanting to move, I remained there until she woke up again. 

It wasn't until about 7 AM, three hours after she initially woke me up, that she shifted and sat up.

"Feeling better Sarah?" I asked.

"Thanks Aria," She whispered, wiggling out of my lap and walking out of my room. I sighed and stood, stretching before closing my door and beginning to get dressed. The outfit of the day was a loose white t-shirt, skinny jeans, flip flops and a beautiful necklace with a couple of lines in the center. I quickly pulled my hair into a ponytail and grabbed my IPod, walking down the hall and playing my music. 

Today I'll just help the younger ones finish their school up, and then maybe clean my room. I hadn't even started my music before I heard my name being called. I took my headphones out of my ears and walked into Mrs. Cordona's office. She looked elated, and within a split second the thought crossed my mind.

Does someone want me?

I voiced the thought to her, and to my delight I received a frantic nod of yes from Mrs. Cordona.

I covered my mouth, collapsing into the office chair, "No way."

"Yes way! Come here, I think you'll like them," She slid her office chair to the side and I walked over. My body was trembling as I looked at the screen. 

"Hello Honerva Cordona,

My wife and I would like to adopt Aria from your orphanage. My name is John, my wife's name is Korey, and we have two children; Alex and Xavier. Our daughter Alex is currently 16, and Xavier is just a few years younger than her. We are more than willing to pay to have someone come look and make sure we are suitable adopters, and we cannot wait to hear from you.

Thank you again,

The Coopers".

"I can't believe it!" I said, looking at the woman who I knew most of my life.

"I know! Someone in that state is already on their way, I already emailed them back. As soon as they're approved John will come and pick you up and take you to their house in Tennessee," Mrs. Cordona explained, "I think that they'll be fine though, since John didn't say anything about being threatened by CPS," We both laughed. 

I can't believe it.

I'm finally out of here.

🚨Mentioned how Aria got to the orphanage in the first place