He's The Definition of TROUBLE

1

Being in the foster care system was never an easy thing. Rule number one, do not get attached. The first time I ever met another kid in the system was the day I had been taken away from my mother. Her name was Trish and she was twelve. At the time, I was only six. She was the first person that talked to me that wasn't an adult and the last time I seen her she said those four words. "Do not get attached Hannah." she said and hugged me. I didn't know that would be the last time I would ever see Trish again. I didn't know she was sick. I found out when I turned fourteen and went through her file. I was going to surprise her. I figured she had gotten adopted and I was going to find out where she was just so I could have one last hug, one last talk. I didn't know I'd find a death certificate. I was livid no one had told me and I trashed the entire office that night. Now, I'm seventeen. One more year and I'll be out of the system. I still live by those four words and let me tell you, boy has it come in handy. Every now and again, I'd slip up and get attached to someone after a few years of knowing them and they'd vanish. It was like I was cursed or something. Today is the day I go to my last placement till I'm eighteen. A group home for teenagers on their last few years in the system. 

The house was the most rundown on the street and an ugly shade of green. I stepped out the taxi and sighed. I only had one bag and I swung it over my shoulder looking at the house from the sidewalk. I walked up the cracked steps and rang the door bell. I heard a bunch of commotion behind the door the sound of someone tripping before the door opens. It was a boy around the age of fourteen smiling at me. "You must be Hannah! I'm Jed. Come on in!" he says cheerfully. I nod and step in the door and follow him into the kitchen where I'm met with six different pair of eyes. "Oh Hannah! I'm sorry I didn't meet you at the door Hun. We weren't expecting you till later. Thought you were the pizza." a woman laughs pulling me into a hug. She introduces me to everyone and tells me to sit. There was a total of nine kids in the house not including me. Two of them were out, Jake and Marcus both seventeen. Here now was Jed, Lily, Penny, Grace, Owen, Liam, and Maple. Ms. Nancy, the owner of the group home said they would do official introductions tonight when Marcus and Jake were here and oh boy was I excited to sit in the living room in and share details about each other just like I have every other damn time. Lily, being the oldest girl in the house shows me to my room so I can "settle in".  This house was surprisingly big but it didn't look so on the outside. Lily and the youngest girl, Maple, wanted to give me a house tour so I agreed. Not only was this house decent on the inside and quite large, the backyard was well kept and over two acres. This was by far the best place I've been to. I decided to go walk around the yard a bit well the kids played together and I came across a hammock resting in between two large beautiful trees and I climbed up onto it and sigh in relief as I was finally able to rest my body. It was peaceful and the sun felt nice on my face. I wasn't too hot or cold. The weather was just right.  I guess I fell asleep because I was woken up to giggles and little fingers poking my cheek. I looked down to see Maple "Come on! Pizza is here!" she said excitedly and ran off towards the house. I sighed and slowly sat up rubbing my eyes. All I could think about was going back to sleep as I walked towards the house.