Stella's POV

"Thanks for having me round, Mr and Mrs Jackson. Bye!" I say hastily.

I had crept out of Storm's room when she had her back turned because I had almost blown my cover. Now, she will be even more suspicious so I don't want her to catch up with me. I notice a puzzled expression on Storm's older sister, River's face and Mrs Jackson looks like she's about to say something to me but I dash out the door before she has a chance.

Just in case Storm's chasing me, I continue to run to the gate, which is still damp from the rain from earlier, and unlock it.

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When I run out of breath and my legs start aching, I slow down to a walk. Over my shoulder, I've checked a million times if Storm was following me but she was nowhere to be seen. However, I still have a bad feeling at the pit of my stomach. Maybe that's because someone your age shouldn't be out on your own while it's getting darker, a voice in my head tells me.

Listening to my conscience, I make my way to the nearest bus stop, hoping that my bus stops here. I sigh in relief as I read the bus times. Just a couple of minutes until it arrives! I search my blazer pockets for my purse.

Nothing. I must have left it in my school bag accidentally. I check it. Nothing. Oh no! I must have dropped my purse somewhere! I pull out my phone and call Kate. It takes her long to answer.

"HELLO?" Kate yells over the shouting and screaming in the background.

"Hi, Kate. I did some more of my project with my partner and I'm ready to go home but I think I dropped my purse," I explain.

"OH DEAR! I'M AFRAID YOU'LL HAVE TO WALK, STELLA! THE CAR BROKE DOWN WHEN HARRY WAS COMING BACK FROM WORK SO IT'S STILL GETTING FIXED!" Kate shouts so loud that my eardrums are hurting," OH NO! JAKE'S STOLEN EVIE'S DOLL AGAIN BUT THIS TIME HE ACCIDENTALLY BROKE IT! GOT TO GO SORT IT OUT! SEE YOU!"

With that, Kate hangs up on me before I could respond. If I hadn't lost my purse, I would be on a warm bus home, not walking there while having the feeling as if I'm being watched...

My frozen fingers just about manage to make my knock on the door audible. It's so cold that I can see my breath as I sigh, grateful that I succeeded in arriving home safe and not running into any dodgy people you find at this time. After what seems like an eternity, Harry unlocked the door to let me in. In the dim light, his eyebags and paleness ware more prominent and having him in front of my eyes is making me feel sorry for both him and Kate.

"Are you okay? I'm sorry we couldn't pick you up," Harry apologises.

I think I'm the one who should be sorry! You had to deal with your two foster kids fighting and I had to come up with my silly business of losing my purse. I don't say any of that but I must have given him a look that says it because Harry chuckles.

"Do I look that tired?" he asks.

I nod.

"Well, maybe I can head off early after dinner. Jake and Evie argued so much that they tired themselves out! They're having a nap now!" Harry exclaims.

I follow Harry in and the mouth-watering smell of fried rice hits me. I join him and Josh at the table and not long after, Kate strides into the room, proudly holding the pot which contains our dinner.

"I felt bad after you called, Stella! And I thought because we're all tired, we deserve a nice meal! Enjoy!" Kate briefly explains before we tuck in.

However, it is interrupted by a strong knock on the door.

"Doesn't that person know the rule about not interrupting a meal!" Harry groans, rolling his eyes.

"Well, maybe you can go ask them that when you answer the door, Mr Grumpy!" Kate responds.

Harry mutters something under his breath as he leaves the table. Josh and I continue eating but Kate puts her fork down so that she can listen. The door unlocks and I can hear voices yet I'm not able to catch what they're conversing about.

A moment later, Harry returns.

"Someone's hear for you, Stella," he says.

I almost choke on my rice.

"W-w-what?" I splutter.

"Someone's hear for you," Harry repeats.

I did hear correctly...but who would be here for me?

"Who is it?" I ask.

"Said she's a classmate."

"Oh, for goodness' sake, Harry! What's her name?" Kate intervenes, annoyed at his brief answers.

"What did she say her name was again?" Harry questions himself.

"How did she look like?" I ask. For some reason, my voice is trembling.

"Short, blonde hair. Average height."

"Do you remember if her name starts with an 'S'?"

It can't be...can it?

"Oh yeah! Now I remember! Her name's Storm!" Harry exclaims.

I feel like I want to vomit. How did Storm work out where I live? Did she follow me home? I need to get her out of here before she finds out that I live in a foster home.

Shakily, I stumble my way to the doorway. When Storm notices me, she flashes an innocent smile and I feel like slapping her.

"Hey, Stella," she greets casually.

"What are you doing here?" I hiss.

"Is that the new way to say hello? You were acting strange when you were at my house so I thought I'd follow you to see what you're hiding. So...this is where you live...and that man who answered was your dad?"

WHAT? Who does she think she is, stalking people and predicting that the man who answers the door is their father!

"You need to go!" I tell her.

Unfortunately, Kate got herself involved.

"Oh, hi. You must be Stella's classmate," she says as she approaches us.

"And she's just going!" I insist.

Storm ignores me as if I'm a brick wall.

"Storm Jackson. Nice to meet you, Mrs Johnson," she introduces herself.

Oh no! Now, Kate's going to know that people at school don't know about my home situation. I quickly glance at her and she looks very uncomfortable.

"Call me Kate. Um, are you hungry?" Kate asks awkwardly.

"No, she's not hungry!" I jump in.

"Can't say no to good food, can I?" Storm praises, pointedly smirking at me.

I clenched my hands into fists, battling the urge to punch her. Kate allows Storm in, grinning, but her broad smile vanishes disappears when she whispers into my ear:

"We need to have a chat later."

From the look on her face and the tone of her voice, I know what this 'chat' will be about. Thanks, Storm! I nod and follow her back to the table. Storm has taken the seat on the other side of Josh while Harry and Kate are in the kitchen.

"So, are you Stella's brother?" Storm directs the question to Josh.

Uh-oh! Please, Josh, don't blurt out the truth! I silently prayed that he had pyschic powers and could read my mind. After hearing that question, Josh chokes on his glass of apple juice.

"Are you crazy? I'm not related to that weirdo!" he exclaims.

Storm frowns. Definitely not a good sign!

"You shouldn't call your sister a weirdo!" she scolds.

This day is getting worse by the minute!

"SHE IS NOT MY SISTER!" Josh repeats, the volume of his voice increasing.

Josh obviously hasn't had a great day.

"Then, can you nicely tell me how you two know each other!" Storm orders, her eyes flashing with anger.

NO! What I've learnt about Josh is that when he's angry, he can blurt out anything. I started biting my nails anxiously, not caring that I had abandoned that addictive habit.

"WE KNOW EACH OTHER BECAUSE WE'RE BOTH IN FOSTER CARE!"