"C'mon Riley. Get up. We've got a family coming today and he's looking for someone like you." I looked up at the social worker named Melanie.
"What makes you think that?" I asked her sceptically. She smiled.
"Come downstairs and you'll see." I sighed and pulled the covers back over my head.
"I don't feel good Melanie." she pulled the blanket down enough to feel my forehead with her wrist.
"You are a little warm." She looked at me. "And you're pale. Have you been eating?" I nodded even though it was a lie. She looked at me and shook her head. "Maybe it just didn't agree with you. Hmm. Maybe you should stay in bed today. Do you still want me to bring in the family?" I shrugged. "If you're awake when we stop by I'll bring him in okay?" I nodded and closed my eyes. "Get some rest sweetheart." I tried not to cry at the sound of her calling me sweetheart. Only my mum did that. And my mum was dead. She's been dead since I was like 10. I pulled the covers back over my head and burrowed under the blankets further.
