The Secret of Rain

A New Home

'How you holding up back there, Rain? Come on, Rain, I know you just wear those headphones to prevent people from talking to you. You're not actually listening to any music, are you? You can hear everything I'm saying.' Darren said but Rain didn't reply.

'Boy, you sure can be difficult sometimes, you know that, Rain?' Darren rolled his eyes.

'If you know why I'm wearing these headphones, why aren't you respecting my wishes?' Rain sassed.

'Because it's anti-social and kinda rude. Don't you want to make a good impression this evening? Your new parents are probably waiting excitedly to meet you. Their names are Bill and Carol, by the way.'

'Cool.' Rain shrugged.

'Cool? That's it.' Darren looked disgusted.

'Look, Darren, I'm not sure what you want me to say. They're just going to be the same as every other set of parents I've had. They're going to be super excited to welcome me into their home, and then- A year or two down the line, they'll say they can't connect with me. That I'm cold and distant. But you know what? In a couple of years, or won't matter. I'm seventeen. I'm not a child any more. When school is over, I'll get myself a job and rent my own apartment. I'll be done with this foster home codswallop.'

'Codswallop?'

'It's my new favourite word.'

'You really are one of a kind, Rain.'

10 minutes later.

'Okay, this is it. We're here. Ah, Mr and Mrs Appleby. I'm Darren Wilkins from Feathergill Foster Care. We spoke on the phone a couple of times last week. It's very nice to meet you in person.'

'It's very nice to meet you too, sir.' Mr Appleby said.

'Is she here? Is she here?! I can't see her!! Where is she??'Mrs Appleby lost her mind.

'Excuse my wife's bluntness. We're just so excited to meet our new daughter, aren't we honey?'

'I'm so excited I'm about to faint!'

'Well you needn't wait any longer, folks. Rain, come on. Get out of the car. Mr and Mrs Appleby, I would like to introduce you to your new daughter, Rain Riverton.' Rain got out of the car a flipped her hair.

'Wow... that's some... strikingly blue hair you have, Rain. In the photo we were given, you... had lovely brown hair.' Mrs Appleby looked revolted.

'I'm going for an anime look.' Rain crossed her arms.

'An... animal look?' Mrs Appleby looked confused.

'What... kind of animal?' Mr Appleby widened his eyes.

'No, anime. An-ih-may. You know, Sword Art Online? Attack on Titan?' Rain shrugged, and they stood silent. 'Fullmetal Alchemist? Pokemon. Everyone knows Pokemon.' Rain exclaimed.

'You might as well be speaking Japanese!' Mrs Appleby said.

'I can if you want me to. Learned it from watching anime, actually. Hajimemashite. Watashi wa Rain desu.' Rain waved.

'Um... how about we get you inside?' Mr Appleby said awkwardly.

'That sounds like an excellent idea. Go ahead, Rain. Have fun, you guys. I'll be in touch next week to see how everything is going.' Darren got into the car.

'We can't wait to show you the house, can we, love?' Carol said.

'We certainly can't. You're going to love your new bedroom!' Bill said excitedly.

'Follow us.' Carol winked.

'Would you... care to take those headphones off, Rain?' Bill asked.

'No way.' Rain rolled her eyes.