Chapter 1
The soft pattering of rain filled the awkward silence between me and Miss Clark. We were on our way to my newly assigned foster family as the last one already fell through. It seemed the silence was slowly getting to her though as she kept glancing at me through her car mirrors. But I refuse to talk about them it wasn't my fault that they didn't want me. It wasn't my fault that another family refused to keep me and I didn't want to listen to her blame me for it. However, I was out of luck as I heard her lightly cough to catch my attention.
"Vincent, did something happen with the Smiths? I thought that you were getting along great with the family last time I visited."
She may have phrased it as a question but I knew what it really was, condemnation. That I must have done something wrong because why else would the Smiths not want to keep me.
"I don't know," I mutter coldly.
She awkwardly clears her throat but thankfully stays silent for the rest of the drive. The peaceful silence only lasts a short while before she starts filling me on my new foster family, the Millers.
"They're a nice sort and they've fostered before briefly. Mrs and Mr. Miller have 2 boys one is the same age as you and the other is only 2 years older. I'm sure you'll get along with them great." She softly prattles on about her high hopes for this family like she always did until she pulls into an admittingly very nice neighborhood and equally nice house. After parking she turns to me and catches my eyes. "I know the last few times haven't been pleasant but I truly think the Millers will be good for you."
I quickly look away and gather my meager belongings before getting out of her car. The rain is still falling but only just. Miss Clark leads the way to the front door and rings the doorbell. A few moments pass before a pretty woman answers the door. She gives a smile as her eyes land on Miss Clark and then me.
"Good evening Judy I know it's quite late but this is Vincent and he'll be in your care."
She softly pushes me in front of her and closer to Mrs. Miller.
"Of course Emily it was good seeing you and we can talk about his accommodations more another time. Oh, Vincent do come in it's still raining." Mrs. Miller made space for me to enter the house as she said some final goodbyes to Miss Clark. I hesitantly enter through the door.
The house is even nicer on the inside than it is out. Somehow that makes me feel even worse than I usually do when I enter a new house. I always feel like an outsider with every new family but the Millers seem perfect and I'm tainting their home with my intrusion. I awkwardly stand in the living room with my luggage and wave a final goodbye to Miss Clark.
Mrs. Miller turns to me with a smile if a bit strained. "If it's alright Vincent do you mind sharing a room with my son Chris, he's the same age as you?" Seemingly worried I would be too uncomfortable sharing a room with her son but I've had way worse.
"It's alright I don't mind Mrs. Miller."
"Perfect! Your room will be up those stairs and the first room to the left. There should be a sign that has Chris' name on it and the room across is my other son, Anthony. I'll just be in the kitchen over there preparing dinner and I'll call everyone down when it's done. Also, make sure to knock I think he's practicing some lines in there." With a smile, Mrs. Miller disappears through what's probably the kitchen door.
Now that I'm alone I decide to take a closer look at the living room before going up to my room. The color palette is mostly neutral but it feels lived-in and bright with pictures hung up everywhere. Baby pictures, family pictures, and accomplishments filled the room and an uncomfortable pit in my stomach formed. I take a deep breath and decide to stop looking at these pictures. I go up the stairs and see the chalkboard sign hanging on the door saying Chris and a matching one on the opposite with the name Anthony. As I'm about to knock the door is just a little open letting me peek inside.
"I just wanna understand Dad. Why did you do this to us... to me? I thought you cared about us even loved us." Chris seemingly had a script and was practicing lines of something I didn't recognize. My heart seized with the familiar sight and my whole body wanted to run. I took a deep breath instead and just softly knocked on the door.
I heard a rustle and a pretty blue-eyed boy opened the door. He had honey-blonde curls and was quite taller than me if I had to guess about 5'7. "Hi, you must be Vincent. I'm Chris and we'll be roommates." He opened the door for me and gestured for me to go in with a smile. His smile was disarming and faintly showed his dimples. I step through the door.