Faith comes home today.

Home.

I haven't called a place that in years.

The Swaz family choosing to adopt Faith in is amazing, and them allowing me to stay with them and be a part of her life is way more than I deserve. They did it anyway, and now they're turning the basement into a living space for me.

Everything is happening fast, but it also feels right. I think I mostly feel that way because it's giving Faith a good life.

I still feel like at I'll wake up and realize everything was a dream and I'm still living with Melissa. I feel like by some twisted fate, the Swaz family will decide they don't want to deal with me, and kick me out.

I try to push both thoughts out of my head whenever they resurface, but it's not easy feeling like I deserve good when life has been bad for so long.

A week has already passed since I started living with them. Right now, the basement just has a bed and desk while a bunch of stuff in boxes is pressed against the wall, but it feels like mine. I will admit I've missed having my own room.

Tomorrow night is prom and as much as I said I didn't care, I'm kinda bummed I won't be going. I don't care about school or seeing any of the kids from there, but I know I would have fun with Dustin and Miriam. Knowing I'll have Faith in my arms again trumps the bummy mood not attending prom brought on.

"You look chirpy," Miriam says when she sees me step into the kitchen.

"Faith is coming home today."

She grins. "Yes, she is!"

Alina and Arnold – they insisted I call them that— are going to pick her up today. They made me promise I'd go to school, and that I won't skip classes to come see Faith. I begrudgingly agreed.

"Morning," Dustin grumbles out, looking tired. We haven't talked much these past few days. Things are still weird between us since our moment in the living room last week.

"Were you up all night?" Miriam asks and he shrugs.

"Only half the night."

"Phone sex with Brina?" Miriam teases and my stomach drops at the mention of Dustin's prom date.

"Gross, Mir." He gives her an annoyed look, and grabs some milk from the fridge, drinking directly from the jug.

"That is disgusting." Miriam laughs. "I know you only did that cause I struck a nerve."

I haven't thought about Brina and Dustin that much because there has been so much going on, but the reminder makes me feel… not good. This new feeling that I keep getting at the thought of them together is annoying, and I don't know what to do with it.

Like usual, Dustin gives us a ride. Miriam jumps in front, calling shotgun before we even get out of the house. When he drops us off, he's unusually quiet. I hate how awkward things are between us now. It better pass soon because I can't keep doing this.

"See you at lunch?" The sentence catches him by surprise since I've never offered to have lunch with him before.

He clears his throat. "Sure, but umm.. I'm kinda sitting with Brina today."

"Oh… okay. Well, see you after school."

"Imara, wait-" I close the door before he finishes, and quickly walk into the building.

I can barely focus in class, too excited about seeing Faith later today. I try my best to focus and do my work, but it's hard to do equations when Faith is coming home.

I'm so tempted to skip classes when lunchtime comes. I won't, but I really want to.

"Hey, Imara."

I wave at Dustin, giving him a smile.

"Wanna sit with us for lunch?"

I give him a confused look and he clarifies. "Me and Brina and her friends."

I don't really want to, but there's no reason for me to be bitter so I agree.

Dustin smiles at me. "Awesome."

I take a deep breath and follow him to the cafeteria. I rarely ever ate lunch ao I never really came in here. I stay close to Dustin as we walk inside.

We approached a table with a few girls. "Hey, Brina. This is my friend, Imara." Everyone at the table peers at me curiously.

A blonde haired girl speaks up first. "Hi, Imara. I'm Gayle." she extends her hand to me and I shake it. Dustin slides in, and I sit across from him.

"I'm Brina." She points around the table. "Susie and Tabitha."

I give everyone a shy wave, feeling exposed under their gaze.

Brina is gorgeous. She has long brown curly hair and bright green eyes with freckles spluttered across her face.

"I thought your name was Blade?" Susie asks me.

"Suze. Shut up." Tabitha hisses.

I clear my throat. "Umm… nickname."

"I thought you didn't talk?"

"Susie!" Tabitha exclaims. "Chill."

Susie rolls her eyes, but doesn't say anything else.

Gayle changes the subject and everyone starts talking about prom.

"Omg!" Tabitha squeals. "Conrad and I are getting a limo."

"Sick! I asked my mom if I can rent one too but she said no." Gayle pouts.

"You can totally ride with us!" Tabitha tells her and Gayle grins.

"Sweet! You're the best, Tabs."

"Are you and Jillian gonna do the deed?" Tabitha asks Gayle, winking at her.

Gayle shrugs. "Maybe?" The two girls drift off into talking about sex and first times, but I'm focused on Dustin and Brina who are whispering to each other. Brina laughs at something Dustin says and it makes my blood boil.

Ugh, even her stupid laugh is cute.

"Is it true you watched your parents get murdered?"

The question catches me off guard, and I literally choke on air.

"Susie!" Gayle almost shouts. "What the fuck is your problem?"

"I don't know what the big deal is? We all know her parents got killed by some psycho. I've always been curious if it's true she saw it."

I get up abruptly, feeling queasy. It might be the cafeteria food –not a big fan of mac n cheese— or the fact that I'm being asked personal questions. "Sorry, I- um- I need to go."

I know I promised not to skip classes but…

No.

I turn into the bathroom and lean over the sink. It was just a question about what happened. I can't get upset every time someone brings it up. I have to be stronger than that. I stay leaned over the sink until the buzzer rings. It earns me a couple weird looks from some girls, but I don't care.

The rest of the day drags on, and soon enough, it's the last class of the day.

"Hey, I'm really sorry about Susie." Dustin tells me when he sees me. "That was shitty of her."

I shrug. "It's okay."

"No, it isn't."

"I'm used to it. Don't worry. Brina seems nice. Have you figured out if her name is short for anything?"

He chuckles, taking the bait. "No, her name is Brina."

"Are you excited for tomorrow night?"

He smiles fondly. "Yea, I think I am."

We both stop talking when the teacher comes in. I try focusing on what she's saying, but I just keep looking at the clock and waiting for the buzzer.

****

I barely give Dustin time to stop the car before I'm running into the house, almost tripping over Dorito in the process.

Alina has Faith in her arms and I squeal with excitement when I see her. I scoop Faith into my arms, still being gentle with her as I plant kisses in her face, making her giggle.

She looks a lot better than she did when I saw her last. Her bruises have faded, and the small scrapes on her skin are almost healed. She'll still be wearing a cast for a few weeks though.

"The nurses say she has healed significantly well for how bad of a condition she was in. They gave us some supplements to help her along since she is pretty malnourished. We'll have her on a feeding program to help her along in her recovery."

I nod along to what Alina is saying but I'm honestly barely paying attention as I rock Faith in my arms.

I've missed holding her.

Everyone gives us space, allowing me to spend time with her, so I retire to the basement for the rest of the evening.

It's good to have Faith back.

******