Chapter 2

The flight from New York to Los Angeles, California was about five and half hours. This will be my first and longest flight. To say the least I was nervous. Linda wouldn’t stop talking. I swear she never took one breath the whole way there.

“Yeah, so we have a 23 year old named Jace who is in college right now, so you won’t get to meet him until Christmas, but I do have a younger boy who is six. His name is Nathan.” I groaned and banged my head against the plane window. Great, a little six year old boy to annoy me 24/7! Could this get any worse?

“You’ll be starting school tomorrow at Redford Heights. That’s the latest I could get you in. I know it’s really soon…” she trailed off when she saw my horrified expression.

How could I start school tomorrow! And at a public high school too. I’ve been home schooled my whole life. Ugh, this is going to be horrible.

“What, what’s wrong? I know it’s really soon but it’s the best I can do I’m sorry.” She started panicking so I looked at John for help, but he was sleeping. I narrowed my eyes at him. Wishing I could shoot lasers from my eyes. Thanks a lot John.

“Linda, Linda! Calm down its fine. I’m fine. Tomorrow is perfect. Thank you.” I lied. I gave her a quick reassuring smile.

“Oh, good.” She sighed. “Are you sure you’re okay? You look kind of nervous.”

“Yes I’m fine, it’s just I’ve only ever been home schooled. I’m a little nervous about the ‘public’ part the school.

Linda laughed and took my hand, squeezing it. “I’m sure you’ll make lots of friends.” She smiled.

I looked down at her hand which she left on mine. I looked back up at her and cleared my throat. She looked at our hands then quickly removed hers.

“S-sorry.” She stuttered.

“Whatever” I turned away and put the headphones of my IPod in. It was a going away present from Val. She gave it to me right before I left. It’s like she thought this family was actually going to keep me. Pfft, yeah right. I’ll just give it back to her when I get sent back.

***

The Cosgroves house was enormous. It was a clasic "californa mansion" The house was three stories; white with a navy blue trim and shutters. It had a rap around porch, two balconies in the front and one the back. The yard was huge too, equipped with a jungle gym and a trampoline. Shit I love trampolines! I haven’t been on one in years.

I yelped and ran up to it, kicking of my shoes. I ripped the knee of my black skinny jeans but I didn’t care. It was fricken trampoline. These things are a-mazing.

I bounced on it for a good ten minutes. When I stopped I saw that John, Linda and a little boy, I’m guessing was Nathan, were just watching me with big grins on there faces. I climbed down, grabbed my shoes and bags.

“What?” I snapped as I walked by them to the house. I shouldn’t have let them see me like that. How embarrassing.

I stopped at the front door and so did the others. As we walked in a small hand grabbed my free one. I looked down to see Nathan smiling at me.

“Wanna’ see your room?” He said with excitement. My heart melted. He was so cute. I usually only ever had older, rude "siblings", if you could call them that. Nathan was so little and sweet. He had shaggy blond hair, the opposite of mine which was dark brown almost black. His big blue eyes looked up at me. Maybe he wouldn’t be that annoying after all.

I looked at Linda and John to see if it was okay. They nodded so I smiled at Nathan.

“Sure kiddo.”

He dragged me up the winding staircase in the front entrance and down a long hallway. We stopped at the last door on the right. Nate threw it open and ushered me in. I complied and froze, my room was huge! Three of the walls were red, one was black. The cream dressers and side tables accented the walls perfectly and there against the wall was a king sized bed! A black comforter covered it and there were quite a few red, cream, and black pillows.

“Do you like it?” I turned to see Linda and John in the door way, smiling.

“It’s perfect. Thanks.” I awkwardly hugged them. Before I could let go, we were tackled by Nate.  I detangled myself from everyone but Nate because he was clinging to my leg.

“You’re welcome sweat pea. We’re glad you like it. Okay come on Nathan, time for bed.” She reached out her hand for his. He let go of my leg with a pout and rubbed his eye.   

“But I wanna sleep with Kiewa.” He whined. This made me chuckle. What a cutie.

I kneeled down and ruffled his hair. “Night kiddo. I’ll see you in the morning.”

He smiled and all three of the said ‘goodnight’ in unison.

I was so tired I didn’t even bother changing out of my clothes. I got into my new bed and laid there thinking about my new temporary family. This time felt different than the others. It felt like I was safer, accepted, it felt like a home… hopefully this was real. I don’t know if I could stand being sent back again. I silently prayed for this arrangement to last. Wait, I can’t let myself believe that. Not now, not ever. No one wanted me. That’s the way it’s always been. I can’t make the mistake of letting myself hope. It hurt too much when it didn’t work out.

I have to go to sleep; I had school in the morning. Ugh, school. I covered my face with a pillow as I groaned.

“This is gonna suck.”

So I know the story kinda sucks right now, hence why I have 13 reads and no likes or comments. :( But I'm planning on it getting a lot better. All books usually have a slow beginning, right? Please give it a chance. :D Vote/Comment or should I say "Vomment" like racingheart, who is an amazing writer by the way. I love all her books. If you haven't check out her stuff it's awesome. Thanks guys!

                                                                                                                                              Rina