The Dumping Ground

chapter 1- Arrival

*Jody's POV*

My mum left wjen i was younger, about 6 or 7. Im 11 now and i'm living with my grandma. Shes just had a fall. Its not seriois though, she was just brought into hospital as a procausion. When the doctors asked some questions they decided that its unsafe and isnt righ tfor me to conti ue living with my grandma so they called social services and my social worker is assessing my case and has found a care home for me. When a woman walks in and starts talking with her i block out wjat they say.

Soon the woman (May-Li) and my social worker are at the flat with me so i can pack up my things. I ensure i have everything i need and want including my tiger and blanket, photo albums etc.

When May-Li pulls up to the house I stay seated with my seat belt on along with my arms crossed. She pulls my suitcase and duffle bag out of the boot and then puts them down next to the gate. When she looks back to see I'm still in the car.

She buffs and walks back, opens the passenger door and says, "Come on, it's not as bad or scary as it looks. Come on let's get you settled." She's slowly losing her patience but covers it well.

"I don't want to get settled. I want to go home!" I say angrily.

She sighs before reaching acoss me and taking my seat belt off of me awkwardly. When she has I try to make a run for it. I only get about 5 steps in before she grabs me.

When she turns me around I'm met with a partially bald man who's half smiling. He walks over and sticks his hand out towards me. I look a tut and don't bother shaking it. I try to get out of May-Li's arms but she keeps a strong grip on me.

The man lowers his hand before saying with a smile, "I'm Mike Milligan, head care worker. You must be Jody."

I hear some laughter and look around him to see a line of kids. The kids that must live here.

"Why's she trying to run?"
"It's useless"
"What's the point?:
"What a wierdo"

That's all I hear from them being rubbish at being subtle and quiet.

"Well I can see you've seen the kids. Ok so from left to right we have Sasha, Tee, Carmen, Lilly, Johnny, Frank, Harry, Mo, Tyler, Floss, Toni and Billie. Guys this is Jody." He says and gestures to all of them.

"Ok can you let go of me now and take me home?" I ask bored and not wanting to stay.

"Your going to stay here for a while. Why don't we go to the office and talk privately?" Mike says as May-Li picks my bags up.

I just raise my eyebrow and follow them with my arms crossed. Before the three of us go in everyone goes inside first to do whatever they do.

Once in the office I go to sit down on the settee when I see everyone watching not so discretely and from how May-Li and Mike ignore it, it must happen all the time.

"Ok. So when can i go home?" I say in one breathe, bored already.

"Oh-" May-Li says looks to Mike and then continues.
"You can't. See your social worker says that your grandma can't look after you properly so you'll be living here."

"But that's not fair!" I shout.

"Hey, calm down." May-Li says with her hands out.

"No! My grandma needs me! We look after each other!" I shout standing up now.

"Hey! Calm down and sit back down. We aren't done here." Mike says. I ignore him and stay stood up but cross my arms and pop my leg out to show I'm still angry and annoyed.

"We need to talk about your parents." I huff and sit down. As I'm still annoyed I twang the elastic bands that are around my wrist against it as I look between them.