It Was You (ON HOLD/EDITING)

Prologue Part Two

"Lexie?" I frowned, growing concern from the silent several minutes.

"You're leaving here? For good?" I hugged her tightly to me.

"It seems so." I sighed.

"But.. You can't leave. You can't." On the last word, her voice broke and I wished I could do something to stop her sadness.

"Lexie, listen to me. Some day, the perfect family is going to open up their home to you and you'll be so happy-"

"No! I don't want a perfect family, I want to go with you!" When her eyes met mine, my heart broke at the sight.

"Lexie..." Then she pushed herself off my lap and ran out the door. I knew better than to run after her, there wasn't anything I could do about it now. I noticed Lexie had dropped pinky on the floor and picked her up, gently tossing her on my bed as I walked back to the window. And just like that, the rain began. And it had me thinking about many things. Who adopted me? Who could possibly want a broken 16 year old who's been in foster care practically her whole life? Why wouldn't they take Lexie instead? Would Lexie end up staying in foster care as long as me, or longer? Then as the thunder rolled, it had me thinking an even dangerous question. What's my brother doing at this precise moment? I shook my head instead, heading back over to my bed. It feels like today has been going on for far too long, and I really needed to sleep off this headache. So I got under the covers, and wanting to feel some comfort from anything, I grabbed pinky and held her to my chest as I drifted off to sleep.

*three days later*

"Clarissa?" I slowly rolled to the other side of the bed and blinked lazily at Sandy who was standing at my door.

"Yeah?" My voice was thick of sleep, I haven't left my bed much these last couple days.

"Um, you'll be leaving in about an hour, dear." She said tentatively and silently left down the hall.

I nodded even though she had already left and slowly got out of bed, stretching. I'll admit, I'm feeling a little nervous this morning, I'm not really sure what to expect. With those thoughts in mind, I quickly walk around my room, packing up what I can and, after finishing off my daily hygiene in the bathroom, I head down the hall to the third door on the left and knock twice. Once I realize that Lexie is not going to answer, I sigh sadly and decide to grab my things and head downstairs.

"Good morning Clarissa, how're you feeling?" I gladly except the toast with jelly she hands me, and sit at the counter.

"Thanks. I'm honestly feeling a little nervous." I take a bite of the toast and then sip the orange juice that she hands me next.

"You have nothing to be nervous about, you will be very happy with this adopter." She smiled at me and I forced a smile back as I finished my toast.

"Um, Sandy.. Has Lexie came down from her room yet?"

"No she hasn't, but I'm sure she'll be down here any minute. Don't worry dear, I'm sure she'll get over this." I gave her a disbelieving look to which she gave a slight smile to and went to answer the phone that was ringing. I finished my orange juice and put the glass and plate into the sink, rinsing them off before putting them in the dishwasher.

"Well, he'll be here any minute!" She clapped her hands and I had to laugh at that; she seems more excited than me.

"Don't laugh at me dear, this is an exciting moment." At that time I heard a knock on the door that sent my heart rate speeding. Sandy gave me a wide smile and ran over to open the door. The moment she opened the door, little feet came running down the stairs and I heave a sigh of relief and opened my arms immediately.

"Good morning Mr. Avery! How are you doing?" As Lexie jumped into my arms, my spine stiffened at the voice of my adopter.

"I'm doing good, thanks." I hadn't realized that I was shaking a little until Lexie moved from out of my arms.

"Lissy!" I snapped out of it and hugged Lexie close to me again.

"Lexie, I'm so glad you came down, I thought I wasn't going to see you again."

"I'm.. I'm going to miss you Lissy!" As a few tears started to leave her eyes, I turned around with her in my arms and had to blink twice to make sure I wasn't dreaming.

"James?" I whispered.

"Hey sis." As James grinned at me, Lexie gave me a confused look.

"Is.. Is that your brother?" I whipped the tears from her eyes and nodded in her direction.

"Surprised to see me?"

"Of course I am! It's been 6 months since you left foster care. I thought I wouldn't ever see you again!"

"Okay, well Alexa, I think it's time for your chores since you've been absent these last couple days." Sandy raised her eyebrow at Lexie.

"But.."

"Oh no, you're not getting out of them now." Lexie stomped her feet but obeyed otherwise.

"I'm going to miss you Lexie. But I promise, I'll be sure to come back and visit." She wrapped her arms tightly around me and I stroked her hair as she let out a couple more sobs.

"I'm going to miss you every day Lissy. Please don't forget about me." When her eyes met mine, I let out a gasp.

"You know I could never forget you Lexie!" And once again, knowing what was going to happen, I held out my pinky to her and she hooked hers with mine as we shook pinkys.

"Promise?"

"Always." She smiled at me and one last time I pulled her into a hug. After she left the room I turned to Sandy.

"Can you please just keep in contact with me? Let me know how Lissy's doing and how you're doing?" Sandy pulled me into a hug.

"You know I will, dear. I'll miss you but I'm glad you have James." She gave me a kiss on my forehead and wished us well as she left the room to find Lexie. I turned to James with my backpack in hand and didn't waste anymore time; I leaped into his arms as he laughed and returned the hug.

"Was I missed?" I pulled back from his hug and grinned at him.

"Of course you were, you big duffus!" He laughed again and then I followed him out to his car.

"So, I'm guessing you were close to that girl?" I turned toward him once we were in the car.

"She came in shortly after you left. She was really scared of everything, you know? And I was trying to get over you leaving.. So we kind of just comforted each other. And she's become like a little sister to me. I hope she's okay there without me." I stared out of the window longingly as the trees flew by.

"I'm sure she will be. We're all lucky we got Sandy as a foster mom." I smiled and nodded.

"Well, there's only one thing left to say." I glanced at James and my smile got bigger as I stared at the building in front of us with awe.

"Welcome home Aves. It finally feels complete."