His reasons are always the same. One slap, because I was a mistake. Two kicks, because he's stuck with me. Three punches, because in his eyes I'm a disgrace, and lastly, the final knockout hit because I'm the reason why his life was destroyed.
• • •...
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∞
I looked over at Evangeline, my indecisiveness fading away as I realized the choice that would be most beneficial to me.
"Erin..?" Gemma said softly, snapping me out of my trance. I blinked a few times, clearing my throat and turning to stare at Gibson.
"I'm not going" I told him firmly, "I'm not going to that group home when the people I need to help me heal are right here, in this room - fighting for me to stay."
And I can't leave Mason.
Not when he needs my help the most.
"I want to be under Evangeline's care." I clarified, looking over at the woman with a small smile.
Gibson was undoubtedly frustrated as he glared at each of us before settling on Jackson's mother, "Fine, whatever. You do realize how much paperwork there is, right?"
Evangeline sent him a smug smirk, "Well, then we better get started."
Gibson huffed, turning and storming out of the house. He muttered something along the lines of "Meet me at the office" over his shoulder before slamming the door.
"He's quite the charmer," joked Evangeline, before making her way to the door. With her hand on the doorknob, she turned and smiled, "I'll be back soon."
But before she could leave, I shouted "Wait!" and ran up to her. She was extremely surprised when I engulfed her in a hug.
"Thank you," I said, desperately trying to hold back my tears. Then I released her, and with a few mutual smiles, Evangeline left to go make the foster plan official.
The moment I turned back to my friends, it all crashed over me like a wave. I was going to get to stay, I wasn't being forced into a group home in a different state! With that wave of realization, came the waterworks.
Jackson was the first to react. He pulled me into his arms, laughing as he said "You know, I've always seen you as a sister, but now you're really going to be my sibling..."
Well, that only made me cry harder.
But they weren't tears of sadness or sorrow - I was overjoyed, relieved... I was ecstatic. They were tears of happiness.
Eventually, my hug with Jackson turned into one giant group hug. After a few seconds, my brain snapped back into normal-Erin mode - the one that wasn't threatened by being forced out of the state.
