Brothers Best Friend

Chapter One: The Beginning

POV: Rose Jacobson

Growing up was never easy for my brother and me. We were constantly moving from school to school, country to country. We were never in a place long enough to make friends or be a part of a team, sport or any other activity for that matter. When Chase and I were young our father was involved in a car accident, didn't even make it to the hospital.  It was hard on all of us. My mother started drinking, she would go out and wouldn't come home for days. Chase being the oldest looked after me, protected me from everything and we become close despite our situation. We leaned onto each other for support. My mother came home in her drunk state as per usual. One day she came home screaming and shouting at us. She became violent and went to hit me. Chase being protective ran in the way to stop it as my mother struck him down he hit his head on the ground. I started crying as I ran to his side. Chase sat up and held his head from where he fell. I wasn't sure what happened after that. Everything was a blur. A few hours later there was a lady standing at the door with two policeman. My mother was screaming and shouting, telling them the fuck off and leave our family alone. I thought her choose of words rich considering we haven't really been a family since dad died. The policeman was holding our mother back as the lady, who called herself Sally, lead us to the car. Ever since then we have been placed in and out of foster home. It came to the point where we couldn't keep count.

Eleven years later, Beginning of summer break and four weeks till Christmas, we were placed with this couple. They seem lovely, but if there was something I'd learnt from being in care is that everyone is lovely in the beginning but give it two weeks and things won't seem so great. A few weeks went by and Chase and I were still meeting our "new" family members. 

"Oi Rosie are you ready yet? You've been in that bathroom for half an hour!" Chase exclaimed as he banged on the door. 

" Yea yea almost done. Just hold on a sec." 

" Haha, I haven't heard that one before." Chase laughed

Once I was finished, I made my way downstairs and waited for my brother to finish. It was two weeks till Christmas and our new parents, John and Jude thought it would be a good idea to meet more family so we didn't feel left out or awkward at Christmas time. Everyone generally seemed nice. We talked and got to know each other. They asked about our experience in the system, which wasn't unusual. People normally asked about our experiences so they can understand us a bit more and so they don't upset us or even offend us. Chase and I are use too telling our story. We've told it way to many times, sometimes it feels like a story from a book.

The next few week past like lightning. Summer break was over and we were packing our bag for the first day at our new school. Chase and I would be attending the local Catholic College. Chase would be going into year twelve, which mean that in thirteen months' time he would be out of the foster system and living independently. Me on the other hand, well I was starting grade eleven, which meant I had two years and a bit to wait till I was out of the system. It was the night before the first day of school and I was sitting on the windowsill watching the clouds pass by and day dreaming. I felt a hand on my shoulder which woke me up from my day dream. I turned to see Jude smiling at me. 

"Hey, My sweetie. Are you okay? Ready for school tomorrow? "

" I'm a bit nervous. I just don't want to be the weird kid again!" I said as I walked to my bed. 

" Oh sweetie, People are always going to have opinions and are always going to judge. None of that matters. As long as you are happy. That's all we want. Oh Rose all we want is for you and Chase to be happy. You are a part of our family, forever and always no matter what happens. We will have some hard time but we will always love you and always be there for you okay?" 

I didn't know who to respond no one has ever cared for Chase and me, Not like John and Jude. I just nodded my head as a sign that I understood. It was true I was nervous and scares for my first day of school. What are people going to think of me? Would I make friends? But I knew that was going to be tomorrows dilemma. For now it was dinner and family game night. Which I loved because I usually win whatever game we play. After dinner we played a game of bullshit. I like playing Bullshit because I am great at lying. I do hate lying to people and I have never lied to Chase. Chase has always been there for me and lying to him would be like lying to myself. After our family fun game and me winning, I had a shower and got ready for bed. I laid there staring at the ceiling wondering what I would encounter on my first day of school.