I took one last look in the mirror at myself before I pulled the scissors out of the top drawer. I held out my long hair and I chopped it off. I tried to make it even out, but it wouldn't.
I made it a little past shoulders length and then I brushed it out. I figured it would have to do for now. I ripped open the box of hair dye and I immediately started to skim the instructions.
20 minutes later I was a dirty blonde, my dark hair was no longer present. It made my brown eyes look pretty, but I couldn't stop here.
I opened the little box of green contacts and I peeled back the wrapper. I carefully set the contact on my finger and pushed it onto my eye. I did the same with the other and my eyes kept watering. I picked up a towel and dabbed them, but it burned. I cringed when I saw my reflection in the mirror.
I picked up the eyeliner I had also bought and I drew a quick perfect streak on my eyelid. I did the same to the next and I admired my art skills, they sure could come in handy.
I looked myself in the mirror and I would have never guessed it was actually me; Caroline . Now I would go by Jillian Potter, which was my middle name and then my mothers maiden name. I figured it would all work, I have been deciding the name situation for quite some time now.
I unlocked the bathroom door and I grabbed my supplies. I wandered back up the stairs and into the room I shared with 5 other kids. I pulled out my duffel bag and I shoved all of my things in the side pocket. Then I opened the main zipper and I lifted my pillow, pulling out my little stuffed dog. I gently set him inside and I headed to my dresser to gather my clothing.
When I was 4 years old, my mom had bought me that stuffed dog. I always called it my best friend, and now I was 19 years old, and it sadly was still my best friend. Both of my parents were killed in a car accident when I was 12 years old. I have been in foster care ever since.
I was supposed to leave on my 18th birthday, but my foster parents won't let me. They cut off my contact with the world, I had nothing to say about it. I had nothing here. No cell phone, no TV, no music. Only my guitar.
They had to take me out sometimes, so I guess it wasn't all that bad. It gave me a chance to plan my escape. Every time we went I had no choice but to steal something that could modify my looks.
I started with an eyeliner, to hair dye, and then to a very expensive pair of contacts. Now while everyone was at work and school, I was going to get out.
There were cameras all over the main floor in the house, but after such a long time of them scaring me to do nothing, I don't think they even watched the tapes. To be honest, I wasn't even sure they had them running anymore.
I finished packing the little clothing I had, and then I grabbed my bag and headed to the bathroom. I gathered a brush, tooth brush, toothpaste, all of that good stuff. When I had all of that packed, I headed downstairs, grabbing my guitar case on the way.
I grabbed some boxes of candy that they hid in the top cupboard and I shoved them in my bag. It was good candy too, like skittles, warheads, gummy bears.
I went over to the phone in the dining space and I dialed the transportation number. After arranging a taxi to come, I went to the front room waiting. We lived miles away from our neighbors, it was just open space. I used to love living here, until I found out what it was like to be abused.
The taxi came and he drove me to the train station. There I chose to go all the way to North Carolina. That was far, considering I am from Ohio.
I got onto the train with the little money I had, and the price was just right. I still had enough to do what I planned to, and it was perfect in my eyes.
I sat alone in the seat with my hood up. It was almost summer, but the air on the train was chilly so I put a hoodie on. I curled my feet up and fell asleep leaning on the window.
I woke up to a man shaking my arm.
"Miss, I believe this is your stop," he said and I sat up right away.
"Okay," I said and got to my feet, "thank you," I said as I bent to grab my bag. I slung it around my shoulder and I hopped off of the train. I looked around when I got out and I smiled to myself. This was a new beginning.
When I went inside of the station, a bus was already outside waiting to take me where I was planning on. It was already night time, and I was awfully tired.
The bus took 3 hours, which made me arrive at about midnight.
When I got off the bus, I yawned and watched it pull away. I stopped right in front of a little store.
I walked up to the door and yanked it open.
"Hello?" A voice called from the back.
"Eh, sorry for being so late," I started and then an older man walked out.
"Don't apologize," he said and smiled. He walked behind the counter and pushed his glasses up. "How may I help you?"
"Well, uh, I heard about your cottages on the lake," I started and he smiled.
"Very cheap, I've been losing customers lately, they all want bigger and better," he said and leaned back. "Very, very cheap," he repeated.
I nodded, "I would like one."
"Very well," he said and pulled some paper out from under the counter. "Just sign these and I'll take your card and swipe it of you'd like."
I looked up and met his eyes. "I can pay cash," I said and he grinned.
"Cash is good," he said and I smiled this time. I began going through and signing. I almost spelt out Caroline, but I caught myself and made it a cursive J.
"Jillian is your name?" He asked and I glanced up.
"Yes, Jillian Potter."
He extended his hand and I shook it. "Nice to meet you, my name is Harold."
"Nice to meet you too," I said signing the last section.
"You seem very young," he said, "what are you 20?" He asked and I giggled.
"Only 19," I said and he laughed.
"Couldn't stand the parents any more?"
"Something like that," I said and smirked.
"Well Ms. Potter let me get you those house keys," he said and puttered off.
I stood there tapping my foot when I heard a loud noise and I flinched. I turned around and I saw a boy carrying a bunch of boxes.
"Harold!" He yelled and there was no answer. "Dammit," he muttered and I couldn't help but stare. He set the boxes down and I looked away.
Harold came back out with a piece I paper and the keys. "Here you are," he said handing them to me.
The boy came walking up and I felt him standing a bit behind me, off to the side.
"Harry," he said and smiled, "This is Jillian Potter, she's moving into the nice cottage in the center of the beach," Harold said with confidence. "Jillian, this is my nephew Harry."
I turned around and Harry nodded, "hello," he said and kept a straight smirk. His face was friendly but his eyes said something else. They flickered with fear.
"Hello," I said and I smiled a bit. I turned around and Harold handed me a sheet of paper.
"This is how to do everything there," he said and I nodded as he read everything off.
"It's dark, are you going to be okay walking?" He asked and I nodded. I don't know why I nodded, because I was actually freaking out. I hated the dark.
"Well, Harry could show you the place and turn your electricity on," he said and I nodded.
"Sorry I just don't know how to any of that stuff," I admitted and he laughed."
"That's what were here for."
I smiled and Harry broke in. "We can take my truck there," he announced and started walking off.
"Just follow him," Harold said. "He wouldn't hurt a fly."
I nodded and followed Harry to his truck. I awkwardly opened the door and got inside.
The ride was silent. Our windows were down to get a nice breeze,and the crickets filled the silence. It was late June and it felt good.
"Here we are," he said pulling up.
"Thank you," I said and I hopped out. He got out as well and walked me to the door. I opened it up with my key and he pulled out his pocket light and read the paper. His lips moved as he read it to himself, and I had to stop myself from staring.
I sat on the chair while Harry figured it out, and soon enough all the lights were working, and so was the TV.
"The water works too," Harry said from the kitchen.
"Thank you," I said and I got up to see.
"No problem," Harry said standing up and we were super close. I took a quick step back and he looked that the ground. "What made you come here?"
His question took me by a bit of surprise, "just wanted to see somewhere new."
"You don't watch much TV or listen to the news, do you?" Harry asked and I was so surprised I could barely push out an answer.
"Well.. I.. No, I don't," I stammered.
"That's what I figured," he said and grinned. "Where are you from?" He asked leaning onto the counter.
"Ohio," I said and he nodded. "Where are you from? Because I know that accent isn't from North Carolina," I added and we both laughed a little.
"You're right," he said and I smiled. "I'm from England."
"Very nice," I said studying his face. For a weird reason I was so comfortable with him.
"I saw your guitar," he said and he suddenly seemed shy. "You play?"
I nodded quickly.
"I can play too," he said and I smiled. "How old are you?"
"19," I said and he flashed another grin.
"I'm 21," he said and I nodded a little.
"Thanks again for helping me with this," I said and he set the paper down in the kitchen table.
"Anytime," he said and I smiled even through he wasn't looking. "I'll see you around?" He asked as he walked to the front door and let himself out.
"Right," I said and I waved to him as he walked to his truck. He's nice, I thought and closed the door.
I ended up searching around the house. It was a perfect beach house. There was a garage attached with pool toys from previous people. I had 2 rooms. One had a beach theme and the other had 2 twin beds for a boy and girl.
The bathroom was nice, there was a tub and a shower. The kitchen was open to the living space and then there was sliding doors in the back. The doors opened to a deck.It was big and wooden, I really liked it. I walked down the steps and I walked all the way down to my little dock.
I sat down and stuck my feet in. It felt good. The water may have been a little chilly; But it felt like freedom.
I was finally free.