The door closes behind me and the sound of it made me jump out of my skin. The thud of it hitting the threshold struck just about the same time as my heart hit the floor. Wilkinson sat on the other side of her old cherry desk and as she sat down I could have swore I could hear her joints creaking and cracking something terrible. God damn lady! Don't you wanna just gee I don't know KICK THE FUCKING BUCKET? That's mean I shouldn't say that. She should just retire already. I thought old people hated the sound of children's laughter anyway. I stood by the door as this man and his muscle looked me up and down. This stuck up little prick has some nerve. I can take his tiny ass on and his beefy friend too! Maybe not so much that guy. He could snap me in two of given the chance but the little guy? Please he's my height! I can roast his ass easy! Just as I was thinking about how I could take this guy down the old creaking voice of Mrs. Wilkinson rang harshly in my ears.

  "Come have a seat young lady."

Remember Carlyn no profanity. You're in front of old people.

  "Yes ma'am."

I can pull off the good girl image very well as you could see. I sat down in the empty chair next to the man in black. I could tell he was grilling the shit out of me because his eyes were burning through the side of my face. I just kept my focus on the old broad in front of me and hoped this guy wasn't her grim reaper.

  "Tell me what really happened today Carlyn." Wilkinson said as she tapped a thin wrinkled finger on her desk.

  "What are talking about?" I asked coyly.

  "Let's not play games today Carlyn I already know you snuck out again."

The fuck????? Be cool Carlyn. Be cool.

  "I've never snuck out ma'am. It's not in my nature." I said lying through my teeth.

I've left the orphanage so many times in the last 8 months I've lost count.

  "What proof do you have that I left ma'am?" I asked.

The man sitting next to me laughed and rubbed at his forehead. I looked at him out of the corner of my eye. What the fuck is this clown laughing at? I was beginning to hate him already and I don't even know him. He reached inside of his pocket and pulled out my purple iPod. Fuck! Now I'm really busted!

  "You dropped this on the way out this morning." He said as he placed it on the desk in front of us.

He had a really deep voice and his eyes were honey in color when the light hit them just right. After I looked his face over, I was drawn to his ear thing. It looked like a moon with a little star hanging from it. This guy was dressed to the nines to be going to First Avenue. Must be a talent agent. I couldn't pull out the real me just yet. Play it safe Carly. Remember this old bat takes your shit the moment you slip up and say something crazy.

  "Well Carlyn? Explain yourself."

Shit! Time to fess up. I took a deep breath and spilled the metaphorical beans on the old one.

  "Ok.....I did leave this morning but I swear I wasn't gone long. I just-"

  "Carlyn leaving the orphanage is dangerous! You could have gotten hurt and we would have never known!"

  "I know but-"

  "No pool for you today. And you're chores will be doubled this week."

  "WHAT????"

  "Things like this can't go unpunished Carlyn you know that! If we let you just run off when ever you want to the other kids will want to do the same. You are the last of our older children. You set the example."

  "Yeah I bet." I scoffed under my breath.

  "Hey she's looking out for you. You might want to do what she says." The man said.

I turned abruptly to the man angry. This snitch ass bastard just shows up and then gets me into trouble. I looked him up and down and rolled my eyes at him.

  "Thanks for the tip dude." I snapped.

  "CARLYN! Apologize!"

  "What for? I don't know this creep."

  "Well this creep just returned your precious iPod to you and you should be grateful. If I were you I would say thank you and I'm sorry."

I snatched my iPod off the desk and stood up.

  "Thanks. Sorry." I said shortly.

  "Where are you going Carlyn? We're not done here!" Wilkins crowed at me.

  "To my room and we are done." I opened the door and attempted to go upstairs when Joey came running full force down the steps at me a leaped into my arms.

  "Carly! Carly! Guess what! Prince is here!" He shouted in my ear joyfully.

  "Prince who?" I said trying to smile and forget about ordeal in the oldy Goldie's office.

  "Not A Prince THEE PRINCE!" He exclaimed all excited.

  "Sorry kid I don't think I know the guy. Is that why you're so hyper?"

  "He might be coming to adopt someone today! He's the son of Minneapolis! I can't believe you haven't heard of him! He should be one of your people that you listen to. You like little red corvette right?"

  "I only heard that song at the twins game though!"

  "Gee Carly you need to broaden your mind."

"Quoting the joker are we?" I giggled.

  "I hope he adopts me! I would love him to be my daddy. He's so cool!"

  "We would all like to be adopted by a Prince one day munchkin."

I gave him a smile and watched him skip happily away to the kitchen for breakfast the moment I let his feet touch the floor. My smile fades when I heard that deep familiar voice.

  "Excuse me. Carlyn is it?"

This guy just will not leave!

  "Yeah? So?" I scoffed.

  "I overheard you talking to someone. Was that your little brother?"

  "No. Just another kid wanting to be adopted. What do you want?"

  "I want to find out why you touched my guitar without asking."

  "Because I just did. Look dude I didn't break it I just wanted to see what it felt like ok?"

  "You like guitars?" He asked intrigued.

  "Yeah I do."

  "That Telecaster I've had since I was young. It means a lot to me."

  "Well don't worry mister you don't have to worry about seeing me touch your shit again."

  "Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?"

Now this wise ass was trying to be smart.

  "If I had a mother I probably would t be here now would I? I bet you don't know the first thing about being alone with no family do you!?!?"

His face looked stunned that I told him off the way I did.

  "I'm sorry I didn't mean to upset you." He said sadly.

  "Yeah I bet you didn't. Thanks for my iPod."

I turned and stomped my way up the stairs and slammed the door behind me. I went to the window and watched as he left out the front door with his muscle in tow.

  "Small smart ass." I said to myself in a disgusted tone.

He suddenly stopped at his car door and turned to look up at my window. He must have known I was watching him.

  "Shit!" I said out loud as I pulled myself back inside.

When the black BMW started up and pulled away I knew that it was safe to look out the window again. Who was that guy?