Adopted by the Sidemen

"How about you become a Bradley?"

I guess I should introduce myself. I'm Sophie, 15 years old. I suffer from anxiety, depression, anorexia, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, dyslexia, and body dysmorphia. Yeah, it sucks. But I have most of that to blame my parents on. They would abuse me and use me, but eventually, they died. It's really sad actually. They were flying out to Australia and leaving me a 7-year-old at home because they were great parents, and the plane crashed. They died immediately and then I was put into care. Unlike most people, I haven't been from home to home because I never make it there. When people read my file they see how many illnesses I have and they ignore me. I don't care though."Soph! I have something to tell you." Daniel said waking me up. Daniel, the 17-year old who's parents were also killed in the same plane crash as mine. Although, Daniel doesn't have as many mental illnesses as I do. He has been like my brother since Day 1 that I turned up at the care home. we shared a room, I couldn't even begin to count the number of times that Danny has comforted me at 4 am when I was having an unexplained panic attack, or how many times he scribed my English because of my dyslexia, or how many times he has explained to the younger ones they can't touch my things because of my OCD. Daniel is just a legend. "What's up?" I ask rubbing my eyes and noticing he looked sad "I've been adopted" He said sadly looking at me "That's grea-" "No it's not" he cut me off "They live in Newcastle, I'll be living in Newcastle Sophie! THAT'S NOT GREAT!" After he shouted I flinched and covered my ears "I'm sorry, I'm sorry soph I- I'm sorry I forgot" He repeated over and over as he hugged me to calm me down."It's okay, come on I'll come down and meet mom and dad. Yeah?" I asked him as I got out of bed. We walked downstairs and I saw a couple standing there looking happy. "Ah you're ready to go Daniel?" the man said completely ignoring me. "What's your name sweetheart?" I froze up at the question, the last time this happened was when I came here. New people make me mute, in away. Daniel and Ms.Kay were the only 2 people I speak to in this home, now I'll only have Ms. Kay. She's like 65! "This is Sophie," Daniel spoke for me and hugged me "I love you, soph, I'll see you soon. Okay?" I nod and hugged him tightly and cried on his shoulder. He pulled away, wiped my tears away, and kissed my forehead "Bye" I whispered as he walked away.

*6 days later*

"Sophie can you please get out of bed." Ms. Kay asked me for the 7th time today "Not until I have a good reason." I tell her pulling the duvet over my head again "Is someone looking to adopt a good reason?" She asks me sitting at the end of the bed "They'll see my illnesses and hate me, plus I go mute when new people talk to me. Unless it's daniel I'm not coming. End of conversation." She sighs and goes downstairs. I decided to follow her out to listen to the conversations "She's worried that you won't take her because of her illnesses and also she goes mute when she meets new people." I hear Ms. Kay tell them "Can we meet her?" A man says. I ran downstairs and stood beside Ms. Kay. "Ahh nice of you to join us, Sophie." She says motioning to the 2 people stood in front of me "Hi, I'm Josh and this is Freya." The man, josh, said to me with a comforting smile. for some reason I felt safe, I felt like I could talk to them "h-hi" I anxiously stutter out "You ok?" Ms. Kay mouths confused as to how I could talk to these strangers "C-can I have an h-hug?" I ask Freya with teary eyes. "Yes of course," she said smiling.I walk up to her and hug her. I felt safe in her arms, I didn't feel like I had any worries. "How about you become a Bradley?" Josh asked me as I was still hugging Freya, not wanting to let go. "Really?!" I almost shouted jumping away from Freya, He laughed and nodded "Oh my- thank you!" I wanted to hug him but I couldn't, It sounds weird but ever since my dad, I can't hug any male. It took me 1 year of knowing Daniel to trust him enough for a hug. "Don't force yourself if you're uncomfortable." Josh said to me with a warm smile. "go pack." They both said, I nodded and ran upstairs to pack. For most people with not a lot of things, it would maybe take them 15 minutes to pack. But I have OCD, and not a lot of things so it takes me 45 minutesOnce I've finished packing I went downstairs and saw Josh and Freya waiting for me "sorry for taking so long" I say as I put my bag down beside Josh "I'll miss you, Ms. Kay, if you need any help with the little ones just shout on me and I'll do a job or two" I say hugging her "I'll keep it in mind, thank you, Sophie. Now go you have a family!" She says smiling I smile back and pick up my bag. "Ready to go?" Freya asks taking my hand. "Yeah," I said nervously getting in the car."Do you mind me asking who Daniel is?" Freya asked me, turning around in her seat to face me. I didn't make eye contact but instead kept my eyes to the floor. "He was like my brother, his parents died in the same plane crash. He was adopted and moved to Newcastle 6 days ago." I wipe away my tears "My mum and dad abused me, mainly my dad. That's why I don't trust men. I don't trust women either, but Freya makes me feel safe. No offense Josh," I said smiling a little "I'm sorry that happened to you Sophie, and don't worry no offense taken." Josh said keeping his eyes on the road.