A Home for Jane

Chapter 1: First Things First

Today's my 17th birthday, not that anyone remembered. No one here cares, not even my so called 'parents'. I have one more year in this prison, one more year before I can leave all this behind.

Ana and Neal fill the spot in my life labeled parents. Their 15 year old twins, Cortlyn and Oscar are complete and utter brats. They terrorize me, night and day. It has no end. But it's not like their parents stop them, they always side with them, saying I provoked them.

The only person I feel comfortable trusting with anything is Adam. He's my only friend, I honestly don't know what I would do without him. But, I have to sneak around just to see him... why you ask? It's all because of one person, Cortlyn. She's convinced Adam, who's 18, is meant to be with her. So, naturally I'm allowed nowhere near Adam.

Not that it keeps me from seeing him, it just makes it more difficult.

Adam made plans last week to take me out for my birthday. We're meeting at the park, our usual spot, a few blocks away.

I woke up extremely early so no one was to see me leave. The kids have school today, so I have to get home before it's time for them to leave. I'm homeschooled; I didn't want to be the social outcast just because I'm adopted.

I took a quick shower, changing into simple clothing; I'm never one to dress up. That's just me.

Climbing down the attic steps, I hurry over to the kitchen. I don't usually eat breakfast, but I'm slightly hungry. Grabbing a bottle of water and an apple, I make for the door.

Wasting no time at all, I scarf down the apple and drink most of the water. Mounting my bike, because I don't own a car, I start pedaling. Once I'm out of the shadow of the house, I release the breath I've been holding.

It being so early, the ride to the park was smooth. I spotted Adam's car before I stopped my bike. Finding a bike rack near it, I lock my bike securely.

Walking over to the driver's side of the car, I'm disappointed to find an empty seat.

I turn to check if I missed him on my way over to his car, causing my face to be less than inches from Adams.

Almost robotically his hand reaches up to muffle my scream, I didn't realize I released.

"Jane stop screaming." He states causally, when I do, he removes his hand from my face.

"You're such a jerk!" I yell, smacking him playfully on the shoulder.

"Hurtful!" He smiles, holding his 'hurt' shoulder. I take in Adam for a minute; his smile kills me, dimples and all. He's wearing faded gray jeans, and a white button up. He always pushes up the sleeves, so I don't understand why he wears them. I like it nonetheless.

"Like what you see?" He asks, causing me to blush uncontrollably. He laughs at this. He always gets a kick out of making me blush.

"Let's just go..." I suggest, walking around to my side of the car. Adam swiftly opens my door before I can. I step around him and into the car.

"So... where are we going?" I ask once he's in the car and his door is shut. He shrugs, turning the engine on, and pulling out of his parking spot.

"Have you eaten?" He asks, turning his left blinker on. I chewed the inside of my lip. He was always checking to make sure my 'family' was feeding me. Which they do, it's just sometimes I don't feed myself...

"Yes." His head shot in my direction, an eyebrow raised.

"Really? What did you eat?" I cleared my throat quickly before responding.