the coaches daughter. | a. hakimi

00

My curls stick to my head as I open my eyes to adjust to the dark. I use my arm to lift my back off the mattress covered in holes.

Sweat begins to slide down my forehead, the more I angle myself up. I lift my hand and the tips of my fingers wipe it to the side of my head.

I hear footsteps near the door, my heart beginning to accelerate. I could feel my heart pump through my ears.

I stare at the door in anticipation, waiting to see if the lady will pass my door or not.

My question is quickly answered by the door flying open, hitting against the wall so hard the impact made me flinch.

"Get up, now." The woman's voice was filled with disgust as she looked into my eyes. Her hair was tied into a messy bun, while she wore a green dress that ran down passed her knees and black shoes to go with it.

Basically stumbling out of bed, my feet begin to follow wherever the lady was taking me. My clothes were pressed against my body with thanks to me sweating.

My hand was grabbed roughly by another one. The lady had grabbed me, forcing me into a jog to try and keep up with her as we walked down the darkened hallways.

The clicking of her shoes eventually stopped. We had reached the waiting room of the adoption center.

In a chair, a man sat with casual clothes on. Our entrance had made him turn his head into our direction and his eyes met with mine.

The man had given me a warm smile and stood up as he strived over to us. By now, the lady let go of my hand and her face had nothing but smiles as she shook his hand.

"I know you have already filled out the needed paperwork, so she's ready to be put in your care." The lady had said, truly happy that I would be out of her sight.

The lady had bent down to my level, her rough hands played with one of my curls. Her dry lips had cracked into a smile, and her arms opened wide signaling to give her one last hug before I leave.

I had turned around, quietly declining her hug, and stood closer to the unknown man.

Looking back at the lady, her eyes burning with hatred. She simply stood back up, sighing. "She has always been a shy one, Mr. Galtier."

He gives the lady a nervous chuckle before nodding his head in acknowledgement, "But she seems so sweet, no?" He says.

The lady shrugs her shoulders before returning back to work, without giving a proper goodbye.

The tall man, had eventually bent down my height. "Hi Armani, I'm Christophe Galtier. You'll be put into my care. Okay?" I nodded my head slightly, surely it couldn't get any worse than this.

"May I carry you?" He asks softly with concern. I slowly nod at his second question and reached my arms out for him.

A smile flashes from him, as he softly puts his hands under my arms and lifts me up. I was basically sitting in his arm, with his other hand supporting my back.

My body relaxes against him, letting out a heavy sigh. I hear Christophe's laugh vibrate throughout his chest.

We had stepped outside of the shelter. I immediately flinch at the sunlight, covering my eyes with my hands.

I feel a hand pat my head softly. "I'm sorry, we'll be in my car soon." A voice says from above me.

I slowly remove my hands from my face and blink my eyes a couple of times to adjust to the sunlight. I intake the scene in front of me, the shelter looked mediocre at best.