I didn't take my meds today.
Two days ago Caitlin Adams asked if I was bipolar because I was into her on Monday but by Friday I had figured out that she was too demanding.
But those words, that question... it seeped into my soul and tarnished my tho...
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HE TOSSED my bin bag aside and headed further into the house, I followed closely behind.
Heat from the furnace engulfed my body and thawed my bones. Their house truly was immaculate, like something displayed in the IKEA catalog. Nothing seemed out of place and the decor was an exquisite palette of colours and textures. But despite the luxurious feel it still felt 'lived in.' It was the type of home you could take off your shoes, put your feet up on the sofa, get comfortable and unwind.
"I'm really happy you've come to live with us Fearne, you'll have your own bed and bathroom. It's important we understand your boundaries so that we don't cross them, if you have any concerns or worries just come talk to us."
"She can't help herself." Liam explained. "She needs to do the welcome speech." He pushed open the door to the family kitchen and my jaw dropped to the floor. White marble counters topped with a breakfast banquet. It smelt out of this world and my stomach roared aggressively.
"Cameron" Liam stated as he took a large bite from a piece of bacon. He gestured with a head nod towards a teenage boy about my age who had a mop of overgrown brown hair and a mouthful of scrambled eggs. He offered me a half-assed wave.
"He's been living with us for about a year now, haven't you Cam?" Olivia said sweetly.
"Mmm." Cameron mumbled, returning his attention back to his breakfast. So my initial thought was wrong, they've got other foster children.
"Little Henry." Olivia gestured towards a young boy, he seemed around five or six and didn't even look up at me. "Henry, you want to say hello to Fearne?" Olivia encouraged, he ignored both her and me completely, continuing to spin a fidget toy around his fingers. "Henry has been living with us since he was three."
"He doesn't like to be touched." Liam rapidly told me. Olivia swiftly moved on, looking at the last person in the room, a girl. She seemed younger than me by a few years and her face beamed with light.
"Hi, I'm Chloe." She flicked her blonde hair over her shoulder and smiled at me. I could tell she was their biological daughter just by looking at her. She had that sheltered glow foster kids didn't have. That and she had her moms eye colour but her fathers nose.
"Chloe is our biological child, we also have a son. He's supposed to be here to meet you but he must've gone next door." Olivia explained.
I grabbed some food and started eating it slowly, I could feel everyone staring as if they expected an introduction of some kind. It was always the same and I hated it. The only one not looking at me was Liam, all he cared about was the food.
"So why are you in care?" Chloe asked intrusively. Cam dropped his fork against his plate, Olivias eyes widened and I absentmindedly rubbed my finger over the bump on my wrist.
"Jesus Christ Chlo!" Liam tensed. "You don't have to an-" He added in a fluster.
"Dead Mom. Shit dad. Pretty much sums it up." The patio doors opened and a guy walked in. He looked up at the room and sighed.
"Jamie, meet Fearne." Olivia said nervously.
Blonde hair, blue eyes, an all American smile and filled to the brim of boyish charm. He was sculpted by the Gods.
"I'd rather not." He muttered under his breath.
Rude.
"Fearne, this is our son Jamie." Liam introduced us through gritted teeth, the whole time he was shooting warning glances at Jamie. I smiled to myself cunningly, it was always the bio-kids that had a problem. Spoilt, entitled and ignorant to the worlds actual problems. Jamie grabbed a handful of grapes and left the room.
"I'll be right back." Liam said and quickly followed him out.
"Come Fearne, I'll show you to your room." Chloe grabbed my hand and led the way upstairs. I grabbed my trash bag on the way. "They had the interior designer give it a neutral calming vibe." Chloe said excitedly with a lopsided grin, she was very peppy... like a cheerleader. I hated cheerleaders.
I averted my gaze around the room, it was mostly beige with lots of homely soft furnishings. It was one of the nicer bedrooms I've ever called my own that's for sure.
Chloe picked up each item of my clothing, studied it and then placed it on a hanger without saying anything.
She had a kindness to her eyes, one that ceased of judgement. It made me feel more comfortable about the faded hand-me-downs that I owned. "I'll leave you to settle in, my room is down the hall. Come get me if you need anything."
I lay back on my bed and breathed.
Twenty four hours ago I lived in a crack house with a man who beat us black and blue with a walking cane. I shared a tiny bed room with four girls, all younger than me. Who had lived through horrific things in their short little lives. Now I was in a palace, waiting for the new foster parents to reveal their true colours to me.
Until then, I planned to avoid everyone and everything.
