Well, that was the most eventful morning I've had in a while. Micah Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Miller's actual son, has always been pretty rowdy. That's unlike my foster sister, Rosa. She's the most quiet seven year old I've ever met, but I'd be quiet too if I'd been circulating through these homes since I was three. My foster parents refuse to tell me about her past, so it must be pretty bad.

My past on the other hand, well, I refuse to think about it, too.

At the sight of the pizza sitting on the table I became anxious, and I'm not sure why. Pizza is great. Smells great, looks great, taste great. I'm just not used to having it, I guess.

I wash my hands and then I grab a slice and put it on a plate for Rosa, I then take one for myself. The smallest one. I don't really need a big piece, I just want to get this over with so I can leave the house. I'll go for a walk to the park or something. It might've seemed like I wasn't bothered by Micah's fall, but blood makes my skin crawl. Seeing people hurt hurts me. The grease on this pizza makes my stomach turn.

Fifteen minutes later, I'm out the door. Alone with my thoughts. Micah was fine, but he said it felt like the world was going to end when he missed that last stair. We all know the feeling.

I head East- or West, I don't know- to the park. I like walking during the summer. The slight breeze, it makes me feel good, refreshed, healthy. I've been wanting to be healthier lately. Most of the time I stay shut up in my room, my eyes glued to a book (or an online book). Mrs. Miller goes to a yoga class every Saturday morning. She's pretty fit for a 45 year old. Is that weird to think? Maybe, I don't know.

I step through the rot iron gates of the park and head to my favourite walking path in New Jersey. Not that I've been to many walking paths in NJ, but this is a pretty nice one. Especially in the summer when the flowers are in bloom and the grass is green and the air smells sweet.

As it often does when I'm alone, my mind wanders to my... current situation. This is the third foster home I've been in since this all started when I was seven. I've moved once every two years, so if I don't get adopted soon, I'm scared I'm going to have to leave again. This is the best home I've been in so far, it's the only one where I haven't been the only kid. The first one was the worst. He drank a lot, he got aggressive when he drank. I don't know how I ended up there, but I'll never forget it.

"C'mon, Kid, I tol' you... go gemme another beer!" Mr. Johnson slurred. I wasn't surprised his wife left him. He did this many nights a week. I just wish she'd have taken me with her.

"I-I told you, Sir, there aren't any left!" I squeaked, balling my little hands into fists. It was useless.

"S'go buy me more, dumbass!" He roared.

"I'm too- I'm too young to buy alcohol!"

He lowered his voice, "how ol' are you?"

"You, um, you should know this. I'm eight."

"Mm, young..." He almost purred, taking a step closer to me. I could smell his breath.

Why do I do this to myself? I was having a lovely time, just strolling through this park, then of course I had to think about that. I was so preoccupied I didn't even realize I was about to walk into someone.

"I'm sorry!" I pretty much yelled, stumbling back. "I wasn't looking where I was going!"

"Hey, it's okay. Are you okay?" A man with black hair asks. He's about six inches taller than me.

"I, um, yeah. I'm okay, thanks." I stutter. I look at the man and the one next to him. They look familiar, but I don't know where I've seen them before.

"You sure, Kid?" The other guys asks me, raising his eyebrows.

"I'm fine. I, uh, I have to go." I rush, spinning on my heel. I run off the way I came. I need to get home. I don't know why, I don't know what just happened, I don't even realize my eyes are filling with tears.

I take a shortcut out of the park and burst through the front door three minutes later. I go straight up to my room and fall onto my bed, breathing heavily. I haven't run like that in ages. My lungs feel like they might collapse.

Oh well, the exercise should be good for me.

When I've finally caught my breath I go to the bathroom to check my appearance. My hair is all over the place and my face is red. I splash some cold water on it and brush my hair before going right back to my room. Before I can shut the door, Mrs. Miller comes in behind me.

"Sit down for this, Evelyn." She says.

My immediate reaction is, oh no, I'm leaving. I have to leave. It's been two years, they've found a new home for me. "Okay, what's going on?" I ask shakily as I take a seat on my bed.

Mrs. Miller takes a seat next to me and puts her hands over my shaking ones. "Someone has been approved to adopt you."

It feels like I've been hit in the chest with a ton of bricks. But, in a good way. "Wh-what? Since when? How long have you known?"

"I got the call as soon as you left for the park. The process has been underway for nine months now, but I didn't want to get your hopes up by telling you too soon... They should be arriving in," she checks her watch, "about ten minutes."

"Nine months? Ten minutes?" I can't believe this.

"Yes! Now, make yourself look a little more presentable." She says as she leaves my room, shutting the door gently behind her.

Ten minutes.

• • •

Word count: 1046

yeah yeah it took a few chapters to get to the actual adoption, but we're here now. pretty much.