Behind Closed Doors

Chapter 44

Riley's POV

"Breakfast!" I hear Mrs Cavanough call out from downstairs.

It has been two weeks since I moved in with James's family. I was able to go back to my old house and collect my belongings. I didn't take much. The few clothes I had and a picture of my mom, sister and me. Nothing else was worth keeping.

I put on a nice outfit that Mrs Cavanough bought me. A pair of jeans and a simple flowing top. I had to look nice. Today was my first meeting with a family.

I walked down the stairs to the kitchen where the family, not including James, was already sat. James stayed at Michelle's last night.

"Good morning." I say shyly.

"Morning Riley. Are you hungry?" Mr Cavanough asks me.

"A little." I reply, sitting down. I take a slice of toast from the stack and place it on my own plate and began to nibble on it.

"Are you excited for today?" Mrs Cavanough asks.

"I guess." I reply. She reaches over and touches my arm.

"I'm sure they'll love you." She tells me.

~~~~~

Me and Mrs Cavanough stood at the door of the Kingston home. All emotions were running through me right now. Would they like me? Would they want to adopt me? When the door finally opens up, I see a women, about in her thirties, a man roughly in his late thirties by her side.

"Hello, you're the Kingston's?" Mrs Cavanough asks, extending her hand. The man shakes it.

"Yes, come in." He says, moving out f the way. The couple smiled politely at me as I stepped in, and I couldn't help but smile back. They lead us to the kitchen and we take a seat. I look around the house and felt happy, safe. I wouldn't mind living here.

"Can I get anything for you two?" Mrs Kingston asks.

"No thank you." I reply.

"How about you Mrs Cavanough?" She asks.

"A tea would be nice." She replies. She pours up a cup of tea and than comes back to sit with us.

"How old are you dear?" She asks me.

"Sixteen." I reply. I notice her and her husband exchange looks, and I suddenly become nervous.

"Can we speak to you for a moment Mrs Cavanough?" She asks.

"Yes, of course." She replies. I watch them as they get up and exit the room. But I could still hear them.

"She isn't what we asked for." Me Kingston says.

"You asked for a girl." Mrs Cavanough replies.

"A young girl. Not a teenage girl."

"You didn't confirm the age."

"What are we supposed to do with a girl that old?"

"I know where you are coming from, but Riley is the most sweetest girl you can talk to. She was taken from an abusive family and she just needs a loving family."

"That may be true, but she just seems like too much...Work."

I fought back tears knowing that was a I was. Too much work. That was what was keeping me from having a family.

"Well if you feel that way, I guess we should leave." Mrs Cavanough finally says. The come back into the room, smiles on their faces. It made me sick.

"Come on Riley, we better get going." Mrs Cavanough says in a low voice. I nod and get back up.

"We will consider it." Mrs Kingston tells me, which was a complete lie. I glare at her as we leave the house.

~~~~~

James's POV

My mom and Riley were already gone by the time I got home. But when they got back, Riley went right to her room and we haven't seen her since.

"Is Riley okay?" Alice asks my mom.

"She's fine sweetie. She just needs to be alone right now." She replies.

"I think I'm gonna head up to my room." I lie.

"Alright." Everyone says, turning back to the movie we were watching. I run up the stairs and I knock on Riley's door.

"Who is it?" I hear her mutter from within.

"James." I reply. There was a pause.

"Come in." She finally says.