I woke up when I felt a cool breeze wash over my face. I sat up and realized the sun had barely begun to rise. I loved the sunrise; I got up and crept outside without shoes. I attempted to throw my hair up in a ponytail but failed.
I loosened the wrist band but before I could unwrap it. I heard a voice behind me; I turned to Kristian "Good morning." He gave me a half smile "Wish it was. It's better now. Are you okay?" I nodded "Just tried to take this off."
He looked at my wrist "Is it too tight?" I shook my head "I wanted to tie my hair up. Hard to do that with one hand." He smiled "Want me to help you?" I handed him the hair tie and he pulled my hair back. I bit my lip as his hands swept my hair back; he tied "Bun or ponytail."
I let go of my lip "Either is fine." He tightened it gently "There ya go." I turned back to him "Thank you." He moved the sand with his foot "Karissa was up all night crying so I didn't sleep much. Thought I'd check on you after last night."
I remembered how we almost kissed and immediately looked away from him "No worries. I should go but I had fun." I hurried away from him in case he brought it up. He hollered "Thought we'd get breakfast first." I stopped in my tracks and took a deep breath.
This is why I hated getting close. I never knew how to handle this. I avoided it altogether. I always created a problem to push people away so they'd have a change of heart. I turned as he came up "I'm sure you want to talk about last night. I don't feel that way." He looked at me confused "No?"
I looked away "You're better off not being a part of my life. In a couple of months I'll be gone so save yourself that loss. I'm sure the other girls she's had, had this relationship with you too. You give them the idea that life would be perfect with you. It's an easy break up once they move again."
He blinked a couple of times with a fake laugh with a small frown he tried to hide "Violet. No. That isn't my intention." I looked him in the face "How many girls have you met like me?" He licked his bottom lip "Plenty but it never ended in a relationship or even a friendship. I.."
I cut him off "You just slept with them and ghosted." He seemed surprised "Where is this coming from? Do I seem like that guy?" I rolled my eyes "Look at you. You can't be a good guy and look like you do. And don't let that get to your head."
He shook his head in disbelief "Would it be wrong if I actually liked you?" I exhaled "I'll be gone in a few months. We both know that. It was fun but I can't do heartbreak."
I ripped the band off of my wrist and gave it back to him "It's not easy." I went back inside to get my things, Madison came out rubbing her eyes "What's with the screaming." I looked at her "Nobody was screaming. I'll see you later."
I rushed out before she had the chance to stop me; Kristian sat on the patio but didn't acknowledge me as I went down the steps. I started walking back as I dialed my foster mom's number. She picked up the phone immediately, I asked for her to pick me up, and shortly after she did.
I laid my head against the headrest; she looked at me "What happened?" I turned my head "Nothing. I just want to lay in my bed." She smiled "Your bed now?" I became agitated "You know what I meant." She chuckled "Violet. It is your bed I'm just saying that you're finally calling it that instead of my bed."
I closed my eyes "I need my headphones so I don't have to hear this." She glanced at me "Are you hungry?" As much as I wanted to lay and sleep, food came first and I'd never pass it up. I sat up "Always." She pulled into the parking lot of JB's diner before she opened her door she looked at me "I want to talk to you about something."
I looked at her "Am I being moved? This is usually how it plots out." She shook her head "No. How would you feel if I adopted you? Get you out of the system." I felt a flutter in my stomach "Why? I mean.." She chuckled "What do you say?" I smiled and started crying "Are you serious?"
She hugged me "I've never been so sure of it." She wiped my tears as she pulled away "I'll call your social worker on Monday. I'm sure it won't be an issue." We went inside and sat down for breakfast. I pulled out my phone with a text from Madison and Karissa.
Karissa's said "Thanks for ditching us :( jk I will see you tomorrow <3" and Madison's said "What the fuck? Why'd you leave so fast? What happened?" I replied to Madison "I had to go. Sorry." I responded to Karissa "Sorry had to leave." I had hoped to have a message from Kristian but nothing.
I locked my phone and finished eating my food; once we finished breakfast; she took me shopping. She turned to me "See anything you like?" I slowly went through the clothes "These are expensive. Can we go to Goodwill?" She put a hanger back on the rack "We can but you can get some things here too. Look at this."
She pulled a leather jacket out "Have an extra one." I shook my head no, the leather jacket I had was my dad's. I stole it before I was taken. I stole a few of their things but over the years, they slowly disappeared or were stolen. I pulled my phone out again and read the messages but I ignored them.
We spent the rest of the day shopping and hanging out. She allowed me to pick out some things for my room; she even allowed me to paint it if I wanted. It felt nice and I was excited to finally have a room I could decorate myself. I would've never known that I'd find a home that wants me.
By the time we had finished night had fallen and it was late. We put everything in the spare room and had dinner. We agreed on Mac and cheese, which was simple compared to our usual dinners. Tonight she let me decide and I loved Mac and cheese when I was a kid. The cheesy goodness gave a warm feeling to my heart.
She looked at me smiling "I'm happy to see you smile." She got up and went into the kitchen, she came with a gift bag "This is for you." I opened the bag with a small box. I opened it to my mom's necklace. It was cleaned up and looked brand new. My mouth fell open "It looks brand new."
I opened the locket and cried when I saw their pictures. Most kids my age hated their parents for allowing a situation like mine to happen. They're my parents still, their imperfections only make them human. I held the memories of them when I mattered and I think that's part of my trauma response. I love them.