• THALIA •
When I opened the black bag, I was not expecting to find clothes like this.
Who the fuck are these people visiting?
Jimmy was more worked up than usual, meaning they're especially important.
I chuck the clothes onto my bed, I look at them and curse. Is Jimmy being serious right now? That absolute twat.
Laid out on my bed is a pink satin dress that stops just above my ankle. The neck of the dress is high, completely covering my neck. The sleeves are baggy, then tighter round the waste. Jimmy even left a fucking white bow. Is this dude for real?
I shake my head, pissed.
"They're here in fifteen minutes!" Jimmy shouts from downstairs, I don't bother to reply, he knows I'm listening.
I roll my eyes one last time before getting into the dress. I won't lie, the fabric feels nice against my skin but that doesn't make me feel any better. Pink is not my colour. I look stupid, out of place.
I turn back to my bed, seeing the bow sitting there.
Fuckkkk
I really don't want to wear it... but I cannot risk the punishment.
I groan, snatching the bow off of the bed and typing my hair in a half up half down hair style, my hair still straightened from when I went dress shopping with Nadine. I put the bow in my hair and turn around, I look in the mirror over my shoulder.
My shoulders have stiffened and I feel on edge. This isn't right, this isn't me.
I hear a car pulling up, but my rooms at the back of the house, not the front, so I can't see wether it's them or not, and I can't even prepare myself a little.
Someone knocks on the door.
Here we go.
"Thalia!" Jimmy screams from downstairs, just before opening the door.
I leave my room and reach the top of the stairs. Earning myself a clear view of the couple.
Hm, they look like they're in their mid-fifties. Well... the man does, I think the woman's a whole generation younger.
I take a breath before descending the stairs.
They spot me immediately, damn you, you stupid, squeaky floorboards.
I reach the bottom and smile at the couple.
Jimmy leads us into the lounge, I take a seat on one of the sofas and the couple sits on the other one. I hear the lady whisper, "she's pretty." To the man.
They won't be saying that in a weeks time.
"I'll leave you all to chat." Jimmy declares, but before he leaves the room, he sends me a look over his shoulder, saying don't screw this up.
"So, Nathalia, I'm Esmeralda and this is my husband Peter. Pleasure to meet you, darling." Esmeralda greets, smiling.
I stiffen.
This is awkward. This is uncomfortable. Please get me out of here.
I start taking deep breath, distracting myself by fiddling with my fingers. This is too fucking strange. Meeting these people who wanna adopt me and I'm 16. I'm way too old to be in this system.
We have small talk for about ten minutes before Jimmy returns and tells me to fuck off. He said if kinder than that though.
I wait outside, ear pressed to the door.
I don't hear much, but they sound like they like me.
Fuck fuck fuck
Why did they have to like me?
I hear footsteps and I quickly sprint into the kitchen.
I turn around and-
"AH!" I scream.
"Jesus, Christ, Sadie."
The kid giggles. "Oopsie daisies!"
I roll my eyes, cursing under my breath.
"What happened?" Jim asks, "caringly". The dude should win an Oscar, this acting is incredible. Not.
"Sadie scared me."
Jim shakes his head, fuming. But his mood quickly changed and now he's happy. "Good news, Thalia. You're being fostered!" He says excitedly.
It takes a lot of strength not to slam my head into the fridge.
Please, no no no no no no.
I don't wanna be adopted.
It never goes well.
I try to act hall but it's hard when I feel anything but happy. I just want to ducking cry right now. To hug my mum and my dad. To have them rub my back whilst I cry into their shoulders. I want them to tell me I'm good enough. But I don't fucking have that.
"We'll come get you tonight." Esmeralda says before disappearing. The door shuts soon after.
I storm up the stairs and into my room.
I slam the door and don't even make it to the bed before my knees give out and I fall to the floor, sobbing into my knees.
I dial Nadines number, needing someone right now.
She picks up on the second ring, "hello?"
"Nathalia, please-"
"I'm there already." She says then hangs up.
I run my hand though my hair and squeeze my head, nails digging into my scalp.
I scream.
I scream because I'm scared.
Because I feel hopeless.
Because I feel like I have no one.
Because I'm alone in this world.
Because I'm lonely.
Because I just want a family.
Because I crave love.
Because I've got so much pent up anger.
Because I'm mad.
Because I'm angry at the cards I've been felt.
Because I'm so tired of it all.
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• NADINE •
When I heard sobbing on the other end of the line I ran straight to the garage and got in my car.
It broke me to hear her helpless sobs.
I just want to help her. But how can I?
I pull up to her home in the speed of light, running to the front door barefooted.
I knock on the door until somebody opens it an when they do, I mutter a small Thankyou, then brush past them. Sprinting up the stairs and straight to T's room.
I open the door to find her on the floor, in a corner.
I rush to her, dropping to my knees and pulling her into a hug.
My heart hurts for her.
I don't speak, neither does she.
I'm glad she called, it means she knows I care. It means she cares.
I hold her until she falls asleep in my arms.
I carry her to her bed and put the covers over her.
She looks so calm and at peace asleep.
She deserves that.
I look to the door, noticing the huge hole.
What the hell happened in here? I didn't even notice that.
I stay with Thalia until she wakes up.
__________________________________
THE WEDDING IS SOOON!
Thalia is finally gonna meet some people who are gonna change her life.