Almost Paradise

Prologue: Riley

Prologue: Adopted

I walked out of a bedroom in the Foster home, with the other girls picking on me and saw a family looking to adopt, the teen boy who was with them looked over and saw a girl push me down he yelled ''Hey! Pick on someone your own size" and the girl rolled her eyes as Mrs Sally shooed them away and helped me up -I was eight, and scared of everything and anyone- I smiled up at Mrs Sally who tugged me towards the family, I hid behind her, as the parents chuckled "Who is this?"
"This is Riley, she is eight the girls pick on her cause she is the youngest-" I looked away from the people and look towards the hall where Jennifer was.
Jennifer is the main bully, she is blond, fourteen and loves picking on me, I flinched when she stared at me coldly, and tucked myself into Mrs. Sally's side, the teen boy looked from me to Jennifer and saw me cringe.
"-well, why don't we leave Riley and your son in the lunchroom and we go to my office and talk?" Mrs Sally said, and pushed me towards the boy. She smiled "Go find something for you youngsters" I smiled up at the blond and started walking down the hall. He looked down at me "Riley, right?" He said, I nodded he stuck his hand out "Im Bruce, im thirteen years old."
I shook his hand "Im eight" I whispered, he smiled "I know" he said, my eyes went wide at him but, i led him to our lunch room, he had bushy hair, and blue eyes, as we walked down the hall i glanced in the mirror hanging on the wall.
Blue eyes, brown hair, and pale I never go outside, I need to, my little mind thought as we made way into the room, I went to the fridge and saw Mrs. Katie she smiled "Hello Riley."
I nodded and grabbed a apple juice, I looked at Bruce and motioned to the fridge, he shook his head and I walked over to a small table andn sat on it, he slowly made his way over "Favorite color?" He asked, I looked at my juice and said "Purple."
He smiled "Mine is pink and blue" he said, and got my attention I looked up at him he smiled ''You know pink..and blue..make purple" he said, my eyes went wide "Really?" I asked, he nodded "Yeah. Its pretty neat."
I smiled and looked at my apple juice box "Your nice" I said, he laughed "Thanks. Your a pretty cool kid" he said, I shook my head "No I mean...your the only person that hasn't picked on me the first day."
"What makes you think I will?" He asked, I shrugged "Everyone does."
As said, Jules walked in, I stiffened looking at the brown haired boy he was thirteen same age as Bruce and a real bully, more of a bully than his sister Jennifer.
"Well, well if it isn't Riley the Lonely."
My small heart fell and I clutched my locket. He smirked, Bruce stood up "Pick on someone your own size" he said, Jules looked up at him "Like who?"
"Like me."
Bruce punched Jules and my eyes widened, Jules punched back but Bruce was quicker as Jules fell to the ground he scrambled backwards and ran off, Bruce looked back at me "Your okay right?"
I nodded then silently said "Why take up for me?" As his parents walked in he never answered.

--Ten Years Later--

"Morning Sleeping Beauty" Bruce -C.C.- said, I yawned and rolled over laying on his arm, he laughed "Rile wake up" he sung, and I felt arms land around me as someone else hugged me, I made a noise and snuggled into my adoptive brother "Five more minutes."

Bobby laughed "Riley wakee wakee" he shook me, and Rikki fell off my small bed, I shot up and saw the four laughing, C.C. kissed my head I sniffed "Your all mean."

"If we we're mean, we would set you starve" Bret said as he leaned in the doorway, Rikki smiled up from the floor "Guess what we are throwing you this weekend?" He asked, I groaned and C.C. laughed. "You will be eighteen Rile, but C.C. will still be responsible for you."

"And you still have to finish School" C.C. told me, i smiled up at him "Cant i just skip?" He shook his head as he gave me a look and the guys walked out laughing, C.C. moved hair from my face "School. The bus will be by in twenty minutes."

"Yes father" I mocked as I stood up and he smiled "I'm serious R.J, you better be ready" he told me, kissed my cheek and walked out. I smiled as I got ready to face the day..

Long story short during P.E I tripped over thin air and sprained my ankle, and this is how I know Letty. I ended up at the L.A hospital.

"I'm sorry, Rile, I'm going to have to call your brother" she said, I winced "I'm okay! I can walk!" I said, and tried to walk and almost fell, Letty caught me and sighed "Rile" she scolded. I scowled "Fine. The hospital has him on speed dial anyway."

She sighed "Or more like I do."

Petty has known me since I started school, she thinks of me as a small short sister, and her and my brother both scold me. I just always smile and put on puppy eyes it usually works with C.C.

Usually...