The Rebels

Chapter 1

 PIC OF IVORY AT THE SIDE

 Four Years Later

My tired probation officer walked into my latest foster home. Her hair was falling out of her pony tail and her clothes were ruffled. She looked nothing like the neat put together woman she was four years ago when I was arrested for the first time. 

I take full credit for that.

I smiled sweetly at her. 

“Ivory, putting a cow on the roof of the school. Really? How did you even manage that?! ” She sighed beyond defeated. 

“Moo.” I smirked at her.

“I tried to warn you. Yes, I did. I said, ‘Ivory, this is your last chance.’ Didn’t I? Yes you did, Cindy.” Yeah, the talking to herself thing didn’t start until after she met me too...

“All this nonsense you pull is finally catching up to you. You’ve been placed on the delinquent list. This is bad. Your new foster family is full of bad kids. I know you aren’t bad, Ivory. Not really. You’re just acting out. If you screw this one up, it’s straight to juvie.”

“I didn’t get arrested this time. I don’t see why this is such a big deal!” I really don’t feel like listening to a lecture again.

“The big deal is that the Jeffersons don’t want you living here anymore! Plus the foster home you are going to now is full of delinquents. Male delinquents!” 

Crap. I may not be an angel, but I respect myself. I’m nowhere near slutty. That’s not how I roll. What if the guys think I’m easy or something?

“Exactly! Finally, you understand how serious this is!” She must have saw the panic in my eyes. 

I closed down my emotions. “I’m not worried. I can handle a few rowdy boys. Now, let’s get out of this hellhole.” I hitched the strap of my duffle bag over my shoulder. I knew I was getting kicked out as soon as Mrs. Jefferson said she would be late coming home. 

She hates her job. The only reason she was staying late is because she’s scared of what I would do when I learn she’s kicking me out.

Whatever.

“You don’t want to wait for your foster siblings to come home? Don’t you want to say goodbye?” 

I scoffed. “No, I think I’ll pass. Let’s go, poo.” 

Probation officer. PO. Poo. Get it? 

I know it’s stupid, but it makes her so mad.

Her face went red. “Into the car.” She grumbled. 

“The new foster family is in Florida.” She tried to create conversation as she drove.

“FLORIDA?” I screeched. 

“Yes.” Cindy smiled as if that was a good thing. “They have a house by the beach and everything.”

“That’s all the way across the country! I’m a California girl! I don’t want to go to that stupid plateau!” 

“You mean peninsula?” 

“Not relevant! Why are they moving me further away from my parents?” My parents live an hour away from the Jefferson’s so when I’m good, they would sometimes drive me down for a visit. 

“I’m driving you to them now. You wont be seeing them until after you are eighteen and out of the foster system.” She acted as if it was no big deal. Even after four years, my parents are holding on by a tread. They are not completely sane. I’m terrified of what they will do when they learn I’m moving far away.