“Okay , first of all “ Samantha began , “Call me Sam , or I swear I'll kill you .”
She grinned, and Charlotte laughed .
“Same here” Charlotte said , “It's Charles , to one and all .”
I blinked .
Sam walked over to me , and wrapped her arm around my shoulders .
“You're like our sister now , huh ?” She said , smiling . “That's so cool ! I've always wanted a sister !”
Charles rolled her eyes . “What am I , your pet doggy ?”
Sam glanced at her , and nodded . “Sit , girl “ She said seriously .
“Woof” Charles muttered , and flopped down again on the sofa .
Sam turned back to me .”So , Hazel .” She stared at me for a second , then squealed and hugged me tightly . I looked at Charles , who shrugged .
“She tends to do that” Charles said .
“I'm sorry , I'm sorry” Sam apologized , pulling away from me . “It's just so cool to meet you . Charles and I have been talking for days about who our new brothers or sisters are going to be .”
I nodded . “You're forgiven “ I said , “Are you two sisters ?”
Charles shook her head . “No . We're best friends though , always have been and always will be . We've known each other since we were really little.”
They glanced at each other and laughed . I had to admit , I was jealous of them . I wished I had someone like that , who I could tell anything to and could trust with my life .
Sam turned back to me . “So , who's adopting you ? I'm Jack , and Charles' Zack .”
That made sense . Jack was the random , hyper one from the band . Exactly like Sam .
“Alex” I said . They both grinned .
“That's so cool !” Sam yelled . She punched Charles lightly on the shoulder . “Isn't that so cool ?!”
Charles rubbed her arm gingerly . “The sad thing is , she's serious “ She said to me , before turning to Sam . “Yes , it's very cool .”
“Do you know who the other kid is ?” I asked . They shook their heads .
“No” Sam said .
“They're dead late , though “ Charles finished . I laughed at them both . It was so cool , how they finished each other's sentences . Although they looked like opposites , you would have though they were twins .
“Have you been in Care long ?” Charles asked me . I shook my head .
“Only a little more than a week” I replied , “What about you two ?”
“I've been in fourteen years , and she's been in fifteen” Sam answered .
“Because I'm fifteen , and she's only fourteen “ Charles explained , “Only a little baby .” She reached over and ruffled Sam's hair , who slapped her hand away .
“I told you to stop doing that” Sam said grumpily . Charles and I laughed .
“How old are you ?” Charles asked .
“Fifteen”I answered .
“Sam's the youngest , then” Charles said . Sam shrugged .
“That's cool . First is the worst , second is the best , third is the one that God loves best “ She chanted .
“I've never heard that before” I admitted . They laughed .
“Everyone says it where we come from” Charles explained .
“Where do you come from ?” I asked .
They glanced at each other , pondering the thought .
“Everywhere , really” Sam answered , “We've never stayed in one place for that long .”
“I think our record was six months” Charles added . She glanced at Sam for confirmation , and she nodded .
I laughed out loud .
“You've got to be kidding me” I said .
Sam shrugged . “What can I say ? All of our foster mothers really hated us .”
Charles and I laughed .
“I thought you said that you weren't actually sisters” I said, looking at them .
Charles nodded . “We aren't” She said .
“ Then how come you always got put in the same foster home ?” I asked curiously . “I thought that only happened when you were siblings .”
Sam shrugged . “I guess we were just lucky .”
“Not quite “ Charles contradicted , “Remember that time we got separated , and ...”
Sam burst out laughing . “Good times” She agreed .
“I don't want to know what you did” I said , standing up and raising my hands , “Please , never tll me .”
“Girls ?” Mary asked . We turned simultaneously , we hadn't realized she'd been standing there .
“I see you've all made friends” Mary said , nodding in approval .
“You bet” Sam said , standing up and hugging me . I tried to shrug her off , but man ,she was strong .
“Well ,” Mary said , “We're ready for you now . If you'd follow me into the conference room .”
“What about the other kid ?” Charles asked . Mary shrugged .
“Unless they turn up in the next fifty seconds , they're going to miss it” She replied bluntly .
Mary led us down the corridor , and through a set of double doors . Inside , there was a tale that could probably sit about fifty people . Right now , there were only four . John , Khalid , Nano and Ritchie .
“Sit down , girls” Mary said . She pulled out a seat beside John , and sat down .
“Here” Charles muttered to me. She pulled out chairs for both me and Sam, then sat down herself .
“Thanks” I told her .
“Alright , people “ Khalid said , “Let's start this meeting .”
He paused for a second , and began counting us .
“Only three ?” He asked in confusion , “Where's the other one ?”
Mary was only a social worker , with no authority over anyone else in the room . But she answered him anyway ,and no one dared to confront her about it .
“They're late . I told the secretary outside to try and get one of them on the phone .”
Khalid nodded . “Alright , then . We'll have to start without them .”
He turned to us .
“I'm pretty sue I've introduced myself to all of you , but just in case you've forgotten , I'm Khalid , and I'm in charge of this whole event . This is Nano , he's All Time Low's manager , and this is Ritchie , he's the director and producer of the documentary . Any questions ?”
We glanced at each other . Khalid's speech seemed to have been directed at us , me , Sam and Charles .
“No?” Khalid asked ,”Good . Nano ?”
Nano grimaced at him , and stood up .
“Hi , girls “ He said , waving a little . “I'm Nano Tissera , and like Khalid's just told you , I'm All Time Low's manager .”
We nodded . Ritchie began to speak .
“Hey , I'm Ritchie … I am the producer and director of Second Chance , the documentary .”
“Got it” Charles said .
“So , who are you guys ?” Asked Nano .
“I'm Sam .”
“I'm Hazel.”
“I'm Charles.”
They nodded . “And who's adopting you ?” Khalid asked us .
“ALL TIME LOW !” Sam yelled suddenly . The rest of the table winced in unison .
“She's Jack” Charles said , pointing to Sam . “I'm Zack , and Hazel is Alex .”
They all nodded .
“So , what's this about ?” Charles asked curiously .
Khalid opened his mouth to explain , but was interrupted when the doors were flung open .
“I'm sorry we're late “ The man said . He stood aside , to usher in a young girl . I looked at her , before deciding she was about twelve .
The last adoptee I thought mischievously , smiling to myself .
“Finally !” Mary said , standing up . “Everyone , this is Smith . He's young ...” She turned slightly to the girl .
“Pommie “ The girl said quietly . I raised my eyebrows , was that her name ?
I glanced warily at Sam and Charles . They seemed to be having the same thoughts as me .
Mary blinked in surprise . “Yes , he's young Pommie's social worker .”
Khalid stood up . “Nice to meet you” He said , extending a hand . Smith shook it warily .
“Care to sit down ?” Khalid asked , gesturing to the chairs .
As they sat down , I began to study Pommie . My new sister .
She was tall for her age , but she still looked fragile . Se held herself uncomfortably in her chair , glancing around the room subconsciously . This wasn't unusual , often children in care had that habit . I'd learned that within my first few days at the foster home . They looked around the room , unaware of what they were doing , searching for a way to escape . If you watched closely , you would see how they would become fixated on a a door or window .
Pommie had golden blonde hair . It really was beautiful , it glistened in the sun like a pirate's treasure . You could tell though , that it would never stand out in a crowd . She seemed to shy for that .
Her eyes were sea blue . Staring into them , you could almost hear seagulls calling to each other . They had a dull look drilled into them , which again was a common feature for a child in care to have . No doubt , an afternoon with Sam would fix that , though .
All in all , I liked the look of her .
My new sister .
“And Hazel is being adopted by Alex” Khalid was saying . I awoke from my daydreams at the sound of my name . Khalid was turned , facing Pommie , he seemed to be introducing all of us .
“Rian is adopting you then ?” Charles asked her .
Pommie nodded . We waited to see if she had any comment to add , but she remained silent .
“Alright , so before you came in”Khalid said , “Charles asked what the meeting was about . Well , it's really just to make sure you have no questions about anything .”
“Alright” Sam said , “What's the square root of 18945.6667 ?” She giggled feebly .
“Serious questions” Khalid said dryly .
“Wait” Nano called out , fishing out his phone . “137.64325882512372 .”
“That has nothing to do with anything !” Growled Khalid . Nano laughed at him .
“I've got a question “ Charles said . She looked at Sam , smiling a little . “A real one .”
“Go ahead” Khalid said , pleased that someone was taking him seriously .
“Where are we going to live ?” Charles asked .
“Good question” Khalid said , “Nano ?”
“The band live about twenty minutes from Baltimore City . They don't live together , but we all agreed that they should live in two's so it wouldn't be awkward for you guys . That means , Alex and Rian live together .”
“And Jack and Zack live together “ Finished Sam .
“Well , no” Nano said awkwardly , “They were supposed to , but Zack refused to share a housewith Jack , so they're next door neighbors instead .”
We laughed .
“Any other questions ?” Khalid asked .
“How far apart are the houses ?” I asked .
“About ten minutes walk from each other” Nano replied .
“Will we go to school ?” Sam asked .
Khalid nodded . “You are all already enrolled in the local high school there .”
Sam winced . You could tell she'd been hoping for a 'no' .
“This documentary you keep talking about” I said , “What is it exactly ?”
Ritchie grinned . “Finally , a question for me” He said .
“The documentary will be called Second Chance , like the project . It will show this group , and two others . We have already started filming , and are currently in the process of putting together our first episode . You remember that , when the band came around to meet you , we had cameras everywhere .”
“When will it start airing ?” Charles asked .
“Just after Christmas .”
Sam paused to count on her fingers . “That's just over three weeks” She said .
Charles laughed , and patted her on the back . “Well done , Sam “ She said .
Ritchie laughed at them . “Yes , it is . Over three weeks , I mean . Just to warn you , we will be filming around the house a lot , and at school sometimes too .”
“That's an invasion of privacy !” Charles said , frowning .
“Well , you'll have to sign the contract first” Ritchie said , eager to turn this around , “And it's not like we'll be shooting all the time , I think we agreed between the hours of four and seven on weekdays and two and nine on weekends .”
Charles frowned , but didn't object any further .
“Speaking of contracts” Khalid said , “If that's all the questions , we can get them signed , and you can all go home .”
“One last question” Sam said , “When are we leaving ?”
Khalid laughed . “It's Tuesday today , right ? Shall we say Friday , then ?”
Mary nodded . “That should give you enough time to get everything sorted , say goodbye to everyone .”
“Friday” Sam said , smiling .
“Friday” Nodded Charles .
“Friday” I agreed .
Pommie nodded . She didn't say anything , but her lips moved slightly , making her voice ring clear in our minds .
Friday .