"Evelyn, they're going to adopt you!" Karen whisper yells, her smile growing wider and wider.
Her voice echoes in my mind, sending flashbacks of my mom, dad, and brother before my eyes. I can't let what happened to them happen to this family, not because of me.
I just need to keep my walls up.
I can't let them in.
Besides, I doubt my heart has the capacity to let anyone in at this point.
'I can't go with them' I write steadily on my white board. Her eyebrows furrow, looking at me as if she's seen a ghost.
"Look, I know you've been through a lot in your life, but you need to allow yourself to be happy at some point. I'm going to ask a favor of you, this family can't adopt you right away, as you know, but I would like to send you home with them as apart of the 'family bonding' program," Karen explains sweetly.
She must really want to get rid of me.
'But that's only for a week' I write down, pausing before writing, 'it takes years to adopt'
"Not in this situation. You are an Australian citizen, meaning they don't have to do any foreign paper work which is what usually takes the most time. Plus, this family has fostered some kids in the past, making them completely reliable in the eyes of the court. You could be officially adopted by them by the end of this week!" Karen cheers.
I'm being adopted?
The words just don't seem right in my mind.
Why would anyone want me?
"Now follow me, sweetie, you need to pack up your things," She says, guiding me out of the room.
I shut the door behind me, slowly turning around to see the family of three staring at me. My hand clutches onto my whiteboard and pen, knowing that the world as I know it is about to change.
It's been almost 2 years since I arrived here, and I didn't expect to escape until I was old enough to take care of myself.
Alls I know is that this feeling isn't happiness, it's fear.
Fear of getting attached to something that will only disappear.
Because that's what will happen eventually.
"Evelyn just needs get her things together. Liz, would you mind filling out some paper work while she does this?" Karen asks.
"Sure thing! Boys, why don't you go help her out?" Liz smiles.
I honestly just wanted to do this on my own... But arguing for me usually results in me being the loser. How is someone who can't talk supposed to argue with someone who can?
"If you say so," Jack grunts, clearly already annoyed by my presence.
I don't blame him, I am a nuisance.
As we walk up the stairs together, I trace my finger tip along the grey wall. If I would have known that this family would actually adopt me, I wouldn't have allowed Karen to bring me down there.
