Months later, I sat beside Madison in church; I used to hate it until I got to know everyone. They were helping Elizabeth or Eliza, my foster mom with the adoption of me. Karissa sat beside me, but like at school she was popular here because their father was the pastor. Kristian sat across the room with the guys he was friends with.
Once it was over, I told them the news. Kristian came up "We need to go Karissa." He hardly acknowledged my existence, Madison pointed it out "Wow can't even look at your girlfriend?" He glanced at me for a second "She would never be my girlfriend. I'll be outside."
He walked off not turning around, Karissa smiled "Don't take it personally." Madison smiled at me "You get a family and you shouldn't let mean old Kristian ruin it for you." I crossed my arms over my bible "Who said he bothers me? What you saw that night wasn't... Anything."
Karissa smirked "Well it should be. I ship it. See you." She walked off out of the room, Madison raised her eyebrows with a grin "So the car? Closeness at the bonfire? You were practically on his lap sitting at the piano."
I shrugged "What's wrong with hugging a guy? He was just looking out for me. I was upset." She tilted her head to the side "Kristian doesn't do that. He's a... Well, I can't say it here." I nodded with a smirk "I'd rather not get involved with him. He's Karissa's brother and that'd be awkward if we broke up?"
She grinned "You like him. I knew it." I shook my head "Madison. No." She pressed her lips together and puckered them back out "Kristian and Violet sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S..." I cut her off "Stop!" I covered her mouth playfully "Okay. I might like him but don't say anything." I felt her smile under my hand, I removed my hand "Don't say anything."
She smirked "You have my word." We turned and left the room; I met up with Eliza who was talking to Kristian and Karissa's mother. Karissa turned to me "Guess what! You're going camping with us next weekend!" My eyes widened, I wanted to avoid him now that the truth was out about my feelings. I'd never be able to hide them.
I looked past her as he glanced at me but turned his direction elsewhere. Eliza looked at me "It's up to you Violet." I noticed his eyes back on me as my attention went to Eliza. I shrugged "I wouldn't mind." Honestly, I didn't but I knew I'd get dragged by Madison and Karissa.
Eliza put her hand on my upper back "We'll see you next Sunday. You have a good week." We walked through the huge lobby to the exit; she looked at me with a smile "Hungry?" I looked at her "When do you find out the adoption is settled?" Her face dropped "I want to talk about that."
My heart dropped, I knew it would never happen. It was a good thing and good things never happened to me. We got into the car and I spoke "You can't adopt me?" She turned to me "We're almost done but the judge is requesting your parent's consent. The social worker is fighting for you and has arranged a meeting with both of them."
My heart skipped a beat "Are they? Are they out?" She shook her head "No. I think it won't be hard to go above them once they talk to them. They are unable to care for you as they are. Where they are. It's just a longer process."
The following day, I got up for school and dreaded going. Eliza came in "Time for school. Are you okay? You're pale." I rubbed my head "I just don't feel well. I'll be there in a bit." She sat beside me and felt my head "Um. No. You have a fever. Lay down, I'll call you out today." I rubbed my eyes and yawned "I'm really okay." She shook her head "Lay down. I'll be right back."
The truth was. I had my face shoved in the blanket all night to muffle the screams and tears that I released most of the night. I was notorious for feeling feverish when I was that upset. I knew I felt fine but she refused to hear it so I allowed myself the day to sketch.
My phone had blown up all day, I ignored it unless it was Eliza. I wasn't mad at any of them I just needed a clear head. I looked up to a knock on the door; I peeked through my window and rolled my eyes. I got up and opened the door "Why are you here? I told you I was sick."
Karissa and Madison barged in with arms full of tea and soups "That's okay. We brought tea, soup and horror movies. Eliza said it was okay." I shut the front door and followed them to the living room. I grabbed a blanket from the closet, Karissa smiled at me "I knew it." Madison nudged her "I told you not to say anything." I flopped down "Not say what?" Karissa leaned forward "You like my brother."
I looked at Madison "You told her?" Madison sighed with a small smile "I'm sorry V. She kept pressing me. I don't do well with pressure." I chuckled "It's alright. It would've come out at some point." Karissa smirked "So when are you telling him?"
I felt a lump in my throat but gulped "Never! And you shouldn't either! He already dislikes me right now as it is. I don't need that awkwardness when I see him." Karissa rolled her eyes "He likes you! He's just... difficult. He hates relationships always has." I pressed my lips together nervously "And if we broke up? I would lose you as a friend."
She sat up and laughed "Uh. No. I'd pick you over my brother. You're the sister I never got." She jumped up and fell into my arms "Awe! I can't wait for the wedding and babies!" Madison laughed beside me "They'd be adorable." Karissa fell to my side "Just have the higher gene. And twins run in my family clearly so watch out."
I cringed at both of them, Madison sat up "You should have a beach wedding!" Karissa threw in "We can be your bridesmaids!" I cringed at them as they continued up until I cut them off "Okay that's far enough." Madison laughed "Come on like you haven't already thought about it."
Karissa smirked and pinched my cheek "Mrs. Perison what's wrong?" I rolled my eyes "I told him I'd be moving and anything with me was pointless. That did nothing so I had to make things worse." Karissa looked concerned "What did you tell him?" I exhaled "I regret it, trust me. I accused him of doing that with past girls like me. I told him he used them and it was an easy getaway because they'd move away."
Madison's jaw drops "Wow. I love you but he's right to be mad. That's hurtful to hear from someone you like. I can't imagine how he felt V." I frowned "It was wrong and he may never speak to me again. I wouldn't blame him. I'm good at pushing away the people that care."
Karissa frowned "I agree with Madison but you have to remember that even when you push, people don't just leave. He may seem distant now but he'll call you. Kristian isn't cold to people he cares for. He may be stubborn but he has a huge heart." I looked up "I noticed that and yet I still did it. It was before I knew I'd potentially get adopted by Eliza."
Madison smiled "He knows you didn't mean it V. He knows that you've been thrown around and betrayed. He isn't dumb to the system, none of us are. We've seen the many girls Eliza had lost because of parents or something not working out. But I assure you none of them were our age or even interested in Kristian."
We continued to talk and eventually put on some movies while we sipped on tea and soup. I didn't expect them to be understanding of what I did but I'm thankful they were. I just hope Kristian will be understanding, I also understand if he wasn't. What I said hurt and forgiving it wouldn't be easy.