breathe// 5SOS

72

Marcus

I tied my tie for the fourth time, my hands shaking too much. The smaller kids were jumping around me, not quite grasping that I would soon be leaving them for my family.

Though they weren't all my blood family, I saw them as it anyway.

"Marcus! I want a suit like yours," Lewis said, making me crouch down and ruffle his hair.

"You'll get one when you're bigger, I am sure,"

"I know that you are leaving soon,"

"I have found my little sister, so it's the right thing to help her,"

"She needs help?"

"She needs love, and I think I have plenty of that huh?"

"You do! You do, all the time,"

I chuckled and let him hug me, a couple of other kids joining too.

"Marcus, are you ready?"

"Coming,"

"Have a good time in your suit,"

"I will bud,"

I went downstairs, seeing a stack of papers, and my foster parents ready to leave. They still had a warm smile on their face, despite this being sad for them because they did truly care for us while we were here. They had even prepared lunch for each of the kids so that the baby sitter didn't have to.

"You look smart, finally managed the tie ay?"

"Yeah," I laughed, "thankyou for getting me this,"

"That's okay, this is important. After this, we can get you ready for moving,"

"They need to move house first,"

"Ashton said it wouldn't be too long bud, before school,"

Shit, that was really soon. Moving and adjusting was hard.

"I can't believe I am moving for the last time,"

"We just want you to know that we are proud of you, and so happy that you found Ava. We hope that when you move, you can grow and get better,"

"Yeah, I will miss you guys, but I am not leaving this exact moment,"

"If they ask you to speak today, don't panic,"

"I won't,"

I plugged my headphones in and leant against the back door, thinking about seeing Ashton, Viola and most importantly Ava. Would they be dressed up? Would they still want me? Was I panicking?

Yes, to all three. Worrying. My hidden talent.

When we arrived, my heart started to pound. This was different to the other times. This wouldn't be a dropped adoption or a failed foster home- this is actual family that they might not let me have. The three of us got taken to our seats and waited for the others, who clumsily entered. Ava was in a purple dress, with a tear stained face, while Ashton wore a suit and Viola a jumpsuit.

Seeing her crying broke my heart.

My foster parents had to go up and announce how they would never adopt me, which hurt a little, but I didn't take it personally because they looked after a lot of kids. They spoke about my information that I zoned out of, but the judge seemed happy.

Then I ended up having to go up, to confirm I knew Ashton as he had claimed, and that as far as I was aware, I was Ava's brother.

"And do you want to live with them?"