you// c.g.

10

"Jane, I'd like you to meet Mr. and Mrs. Frankford." Ms. Marjorie, my social worker, smiled too hard introducing me to the couple. I didn't smile or say a word as I stepped into the house.

"We've got everything set up for you Jane!" Mrs. Frankford smiled, wide-eyed, before the door closed on Ms. Marjorie.

Soon enough I was put in a room with a small sized bed and an average sized window, there was nothing special about the room at all.

The first night was really weird. All I heard was the creaking of the floorboards and whispers, plus it was weird not being home at the Gallagher's.

"Morning Janie— do you mind if I call you that?" A too sweet voice woke me and I turned to see Mrs. Frankford hovering over me. A nasty look appeared on my face and she backed up.

"Please don't call me that." I cringed, sitting up and rubbing my bagged eyes. That's reserved for family only.

"Oh, ok. Well I wanted to wake you up nice and early so you can get ready!" Her voice was full of excitement and looked at her with a questioning glance.

"Ready? Ready for what?"

"School! Didn't Mr. Frankford tell you last night?" I just stared at her confused, "Ugh- well, you'll be joining Ashlyn for school today!"

"School? What? Where? And who is Ashlyn?" I pondered not moving from my spot.

"C'mon, get dressed and you can meet her." She pulled the blankets off of me sending a chilling breeze over me. I rolled my eyes getting out of the bed.

"I don't have any clothes." I remembered.

"Oh well, I picked out an outfit from Ashlyn's closet, I'm sure she won't mind." She smiled wide but I just got an off feeling. She set the outfit down on the bed and i basically had to tell her to go away in order for me to get dressed.

The outfit was sickening, I hate the whole preppy girl look. It was an ugly embroidered skirt with a white fuzzy sweater and I guess my Docs? Ugh.

"Finally! Here have some breakfast." Mrs. Frankford beamed as I took a seat at the table.

"Thanks, but I don't eat breakfast." I looked down at the plate, a knot spinning in my stomach.

"Well, I know where you come from so I know you must not get breakfast made for you every morning but-"

"Linda!" Mr. Frankford yelled and I eyed her.

"Yeah, no. We have breakfast every morning, I just get sick when I eat this early." I retorted and she stopped what she was doing and just stared at me.

"So you're- you're not going to eat it?" She questioned with this odd stare.

"No." I answered short and she froze. It was like the world crashed around her or something, I just didn't want breakfast.

"Mother, are you alright?" A petite blonde rushed to her mom's side and looked at me with a face full of disgust. "What did you do?"

"I didn't do anything. Your mom's crazy! I just don't want the stupid food." I hissed back.

"You little runt-"

"Girls! Stop it. Now you're going to be late to school so I suggest you get going, I'll take care of her." Mr. Frankford stood and moved towards his wife. Ashlyn I presumed stormed off, grabbing her purse on the way.

I followed after her, uncomfortably fixing the ugly skirt as we walked to her own car. I had always wondered what it'd be like to have this kind of money, or even living on the Northside. But these bitches were crazy, and I was sure I hadn't seen the last of it.

"Woah, what happened to your mailbox?" I laughed hopping into the passenger seat.

"Some idiot Southsider has been doing it all over up here. Maybe you'd know him." She have a cocky look to me as we pulled out of the driveway.

"You know, you have a lot of fucking nerve talking to me like that." I sassed and she simply laughed.

"Right like you'd even dare, I could get you kicked right out and into some grimy people's hands." She laughed in reply, and I knew she was right.  I guess I'd be playing a good girl, there was no need for me to get thrown into some crazy person's house and have god knows what happen to me there. Maybe I'd be fine living with a pretentious, stuck-up-

"We're here. Get out." Was all I heard before the slam of the door. Ashlyn kept her distance from me and allowed me to get lost in the crowd of rich Northsiders.

The rest of the day was a haze, everyone there was the same as Ashlyn herself. Annoying and self-centered. But, mainly everyone chose to stay away from me, which I couldn't have been happier about.

When we finally got back to the Frankford's I got called to the door for a visitor by Mrs. Frankford.

"Thanks, I got this."

"I'll be staying right here." She said proudly and I just awkwardly moved passed her.

"Thank fuck!" I almost yelled running into none other then Carl's arms.

"Hey shortcake." His arms tightened around me and I felt my cheeks warm at the name. "Missin me too much?"

"Not at all, really enjoying being on the Northside." I grinned only to earn a scoff from Alexia.

"Kidding," I leaned into the three and whispered, "please get me out of here soon. I don't know how long I'll be able to not punch their daughter in the face. And the mom's just plain fucking creepy."

We looked back at Mrs. Frankford who watched us carefully from the door.

"Anyway, hey Lex I missed you." I hugged her, "And you too Fi."

"Hurry this up please! I have dinner waiting!" Mrs. Frankford yelled with clear annoyance in her voice, to which I rolled my eyes.

"I brought you clothes—" She paused, "Well what we could find in Carl's room and in the laundry. But other shit too just in case."

"How long do you think until I'm outta here?" I inquired impatiently.

"We don't-"

"Soon." Fiona smiled charmingly, but I knew what Alexia was going to say. They had no idea.

"It's alright though," Carl smirked and leaned in to whisper in my ear, "there's something... special in there for you, I think you'll like it."

I cringed thinking of what he could mean. When Carl spoke like that; put emphasis on things it was usually something dirty.

"Oh, god I'm scared to find out." I shook in disgust.

"Excuse me, but we really must get going before dinner gets cold, thanks for stopping by!" Mrs. Frankford clutched my shoulder and I flinched before shoving it away.

"Hey! Don't you-"

"Stop Alexia, it's fine. Just find a way to get me out of here quick." I stopped her from yelling and allowed Mrs. Frankford to lead me into the house. She let me put the bag in my room before sitting down and having dinner. I am going to go crazy here.