Endless Love

Here We Go Again

I woke up to the sun shining in; Karissa was already awake and gone. I didn't remember going to sleep, I remembered after Karissa fell asleep; I snuck out to Kristian's tent for a little bit. When I came back beats me; I got up when I heard the car doors shut. I climbed out of the tent, and Karissa turned to me "Good morning!" I covered my eyes from the sun; Kristian was sitting in the chair eating a homemade breakfast burrito their mom prepped. I sat beside him "Are we heading out?" Karissa picked up the trash "Not till later. Mom and Dad went to the shop up the road, they should be back soon."

She handed me a burrito and I ate it; she gave me a half smile "Thank you for last night." I gave her a quick smile and finished my bite. Once I finished I got up and changed into clean clothes; I came back out to Karissa and Kristian playing soccer. I ended up joining them; we played until their parents pulled up.

Their dad ran over and started kicking the ball with us; Kristian stole it from him and kicked it to me "Kick it in!" I kicked it in and jumped up when I made it. His mom walked over "Did you kids eat?" The three of us nodded. She went back to the fire pit and cleaned up a little more. We sat on the dirt taking a break; Karissa jumped up screaming when she heard something running towards us and getting caught in the soccer net.

Their dad and Kristian started laughing; I looked around but then I saw it. I jumped up and asked "What is that?" Kristian started laughing harder at my reaction "An armadillo. It's harmless." His dad kneeled by the net the poor animal was caught in. Karissa is on a chair still panicking. He cut the creature loose and it ran toward Karissa who again was screaming, Kristian at this point was in tears.

Their dad let out a small laugh and their mom ran over "Why are you screaming?" Kristian stood up "Over a little armadillo." Their mom crossed her arms "Kristian don't laugh at your sister and Karissa. Stop screaming. It's more afraid of you than you are of it."

She climbed down from the chair "Nothing is more afraid than I am. I can't wait to leave and be back in my bed." She walked to her tent and shut herself away; their dad shook his head "Drama queen." He met their mother and went back to the car; I stood as Kristian walked over "You were afraid too." I smiled "I didn't know what it was. At least I don't scream."

He chuckled "Now that was hilarious. I've never seen Karissa move so fast unless it was for food." I giggled "Be nice." He examined my face with a smile and his eyes lit up "Are you ready to get out of here?" Karissa ran up "I'm riding with you guys!" We helped their parents pack up the SUV with the tents and coolers.

Once we finished we piled into Kristian's car; Karissa leaned in between the front seats "I could get used to this arrangement." I couldn't help but blush at her comment; she leaned forward and turned up the radio "Violet pick a song." Kristian looked at her "Sit back before I get pulled over."

She fell into the bucket seat and crossed her arms with a pouting face "You're no fun." Kristian handed me his phone "Pick a song." I went through his music; I realized we had similar taste in music and I knew just about every song on his playlist. I selected a song and Karissa groaned "How did you know that I hated this very song." Kristian laughed "Just happens to be my favorite."

The drive back wasn't as long as going there. Matter of fact it seemed to be faster; Karissa was hyper the majority of the drive, and I was glad she was happy after the week she's had. Kristian gave her crap like he always did; eventually, she got tired out and fell asleep. At some point, I closed my eyes too but was woken up by a hand on mine.

I looked up at Kristian who was holding my hand on the middle console. I looked back at Karissa who was snoring away with her head thrown back; I chuckled at her "I don't remember falling asleep." I looked around and realized we were almost to Eliza's. It was late and dark.

We pulled up to Eliza's, Kristian looked back at Karissa to make sure that she was still asleep. He whispered "I'm going to take her home. I can pick you up for school if you'd like?" I nodded "Yeah I'll have to tell Eliza. I'll text you?" He leaned over and kissed my cheek "See you in the morning."

Just as he pulled away, Karissa stretched and woke up "Where are we?" She looked around before looking at us "Wow don't even wake me up to say goodbye?" We both laughed, she threw open the door and as soon as I got out she gave me a tight hug "Sweet dreams! Dream of my brother tonight." She winked and got in the front seat, she rolled down the windows "Bye!" I walked inside and once I opened the door they drove off.

Eliza was on the couch "How was your weekend?" I couldn't help the smile on my face "Thank you for letting me go. I loved it." She gave me a quick smile that faded to a frown "I'm glad you had fun." I couldn't look past her frown "What's going on?" She patted the cushion beside her "You need to sit down."

I took a seat beside her, she laughed "You smell like pine." I ignored her comment, I knew she was trying to lighten the conversation. I looked at her and waited for her to speak, she pressed her lips together and exhaled "Your social worker called. Your aunt reached out to care for you till your parents release. She's flying out this coming weekend."

I looked at her confused "Flying? Where does she live?" She frowned "She lives in Oklahoma. You'd be on a plane with her this coming Friday. Your last day at school." I started crying "I don't know this lady." She rubbed my back "You will. They are going to have video calls and you'll be able to talk with her tomorrow after school. I'm very sorry Violet."

I sniffled and wiped my nose "And I can't say no?" She shook her head "I don't believe so but I think you can fight to stay. You know how these types of things work." I started crying harder, I knew this would happen. Any chance of happiness always ended up being destroyed. I hated my parents. I hated this foster care system. I had a voice in the matter regarding my life and I felt shut out.

I stood up and went to my current room, I set my bag down and looked in the mirror. I gathered myself and grabbed my phone. I sent Kristian and Karissa a text message. I got a quick response from Karissa and I knew Kristian had already known. I could imagine Karissa running to his room to tell him before he'd even picked up the phone. I'd miss them. I looked in the mirror one more time before laying down to try to sleep. "I'm not going. I will fight to stay no matter what it takes me." I whispered to myself as I walked to the bed. I wouldn't let them take another ounce of my happiness again if it killed me.