Mia

Chapter 3: Adopted

Age 11 - Continued.

The day I was kicked out of my parent's house was unquestionably the most challenging, most heartbreaking moment of my life. The moment I was on my own, I decided to go to my elementary school. I situated myself near the playground. It started to rain; therefore, I went inside the most massive slide I could find, merely waiting for the rain to give out. I didn't have food or anything to drink either. I was so afraid. Words couldn't describe how terrified I indeed was. Nevertheless, there was nothing I could do except push forward and do my best to survive.

Two days had passed before I discovered a homeless shelter and elected to give it a chance. I was assigned a small bed, some food, and water. That's all I needed. I was the youngest individual in this shelter, so of course, the older kids bullied me, signifying when the bullying began for me. I could never surmise how someone in the same living situation I am in could also be so cruel. Life doesn't make sense. Each day I had to battle to stay there and get food. It was unbelievably exhausting and so hard to do. I cut myself to ease the stress of my depression, self-loathing, pain, and fear. The thought of cutting and the act itself quickly became my best friend. It's not like I had much else going for me.

After roughly a month of living in the same shelter, I got introduced to a Social Service Worker named Kayla. She told me that I was too young to remain in the shelter that I had been visiting. With that in mind, she placed me into the Foster Care System.

Middle school was going to begin in nearly two weeks, and I was incredibly worried. The majority of my clothes were torn and tattered. I quite knew I was going to get bullied. Approximately a week before school started, Kayla set up a meeting with me. She said that she discovered a foster family that was more than willing to take me in as soon as possible. I didn't know how to respond, but I assumed it was good news, so I nodded in agreement. The next day, I was picked up by the "Millers," my new foster family.

When we reached the Millers' residence, they showed me around and guided me to my room. Their house was more petite than my parent's house, and it was sort of messy. Yet, it was significantly safer than the homeless shelter. I had no room to complain, so I didn't. My foster parents appeared pleasant, but I didn't know them. I noticed they didn't have sufficient food in the fridge, and the only thing I saw a considerable amount of alcohol, like the kind my dad would drink, leading me to keep my guard up. I kept to myself for the next couple of days and was polite to them, of course. They informed me that I would be walking to school and showed me how to get there. I simply listened and took mental notes.

Today was the first day of 6th grade, and I started my day by showering, eating a few pieces of toast, brushing my teeth, and then walking to school. My foster parents advised me that they had to wait for the check from Social Services to arrive first to buy me any school supplies. So, there I was, going to school with nothing, not even a backpack. I guess it's better than nothing. Wait, who am I kidding? It IS nothing. I giggled to myself for being sarcastic in this situation.

As I walked through the school doors, I was promptly pushed aside by a group of three girls. I guess I was in their way or something. They glanced at me for a second, saw my clothes, and laughed. Wow. I knew it. I did my best to ignore them and continued walking as I looked around, trying to find the main office. I had to so I could get my class schedule. This damn school is significantly bigger than my elementary school. How the hell am I going to find anything!?

"You seem lost," I heard someone remark. I swung around and saw this attractive blonde girl looking over in my general direction.

"Um... yeah. I am." I replied, defeatedly. She quickly smiled at me.

"Oh, not to worry. Where do you need to go?" She asked me.

"The main office so I can get my schedule," I answered her as she began walking, and I followed her. Minutes later, we arrived at the main office. I met with the Principal, and he gave me this semester's schedule and told me to head to my first class because it was starting shortly. I nodded and strolled out of his office.