Ever Changing

The navy black sky shined with millions and millions of stars as I got into Charlie and Melissa’s car. It was sad to think that such a beautiful night like this one was about to be ruined. Beside me sat four suitcases that were filled with my clothes and possessions. Only two months had pasted since they had sent me to this hell hole. Now that I was getting sent back, I knew this was going to go on my record, hopefully scaring away people like these two. Back when they put me here I told Lydia I wasn’t going to last long, but she never listens. I watched as the Faber’s slip into the car and start towards our destination. Silence surrounded us in the dark and leaving everyone feeling awkward. Sighing I reached over to the radio and turned it on a rock station. It was bad enough that they were sending me back so late at night, I wasn’t about to sit in silence and stay bored out of my mind. Melissa didn’t seem to feel the same way as she turns off the radio and twists around to face me. I kind of envy Melissa, she was a very pretty woman. Short, blond hair curved around her heart shaped face and caramel brown eyes. She had high cheek bones, wide large lips, and was skinny as they come. The only part I couldn’t stand was the fact that she always seemed way too cheerful. “Aubrey, honey, I’m sorry, this is getting to be too much for us.” Her voice was gentle, with a hint of sorrow. But her eyes were filled with relief. Who could really blame her? “We have to take you back.”

I shrugged keeping my face neutral. “You have to do, what you have to do.”

Charlie, a tall man with buzzed cut brown hair, tighten his grip on the steering wheel. “We didn’t want it to be this way. You pushed us to it.”

“Hey, I told you back in may that you were taking me in at your own risk.” The words sounded meaningless, like I could care less. A great skill that I had developed over the years. “Don’t be angry with me.”

“You didn’t even give us a chance. Bringing shit like that into my house.” He glanced at me then stared back at the road before muttering. “Ungrateful kid.”

“Charlie!” Melissa practically yelled. “You shouldn’t talk like that.” She leaned in close to Charlie and whispered, “She might have a problem. Who knows what kind of parents she had.”

“I can hear you.” I snapped. I wasn’t some stupid five year old, I could hear every word. “And so what if I do have a problem? Aren’t you suppose to love me no matter what?” Silence. Just as I thought.

Finally Melissa spoke. “Aubrey, I’m sorry, we just can’t handle something like this. It’s not-”

“Me it’s you right?” I sighed once again. God, they better hope their daughter, Hannah, doesn’t get into the crap I’m on. They’d probably have a heart-attack on the spot. “Look, it is what it is. Can we just listen to some music and have a peaceful car ride?” Melissa nodded solemnly and turned the radio back on. “Thank you.” I whispered, resting my head on the window. I stared at the stars until we got to the Lewthwaite orphanage.

The Lewthwaite orphanage was a privately owned orphanage and one of the smallest in Ohio. And as of right now it was lights out. Charlie and Melissa were the first out of the car, while I lingered inside. As much as I hated these people, I really didn’t want to see the look on Lydia’s face. Sheer disappointment. I sighed for the third time tonight and got out, walking towards the only light on in this tiny, building. The office.

When we arrived in the waiting room, Melissa turned and faced me. She plastered a fake smile on her face, yet she can’t look me straight in the eye. “We need you to stay in here while Charlie and I talk to Lydia. Can you do that for me?”

“Do I look like I have a stamp on my forehead that says 'Please be gentle to the five year old?' Yes, I can wait.” I swear I never saw a women run faster to the office door. For the first time tonight I smiled. Sitting down I looked at waiting room, though there was no need. A small, tan room with big black chairs covering on the walls. There’s a coffee table sitting in the middle of the room, with outdated magazines spread out all over. Above all of this are two flat screens. I grabbed a remote and flipped on the TV across from me to Oxygen. A rerun of American’s Next Top Model comes on, but I won’t be out here for long, so I really don’t care whether it’s this or Blue’s Clues. It ended up taking longer than I thought before the couple was out and Lydia was calling my name. “Ah,” I said getting up and stretching. “how time flies when your having fun.”