Kimberly
Here we are, back at the agency. What is this our eighth time? They are going to end up telling us this family that we're staying with has fostered many children, they are so loved by the agency and children, but then when we go there it's going to be a shit show.
Something is always wrong with families like that.
Let's not forget that 90% of these people who sign up to foster or adopt don't even want teenagers so we end up at the home for one night then in a girls' home, and lastly back with our mom.
It's an endless cycle and I'm so sick of it. Just keep us home if we're going to keep doing that.
Carolina's door opened and she came out smiling brightly. "So girls I found the perfect woman! I made sure she was open to the idea of permanency because I want you girls to have a forever home." Oh? Forever home?
I looked at my sisters for their reactions but they were doing well hiding them.
"Her name is Quinn. She's younger and I think that will be good for you girls. She was so excited when I was telling her about you girls." She beams and I felt the corner of my mouth twitch.
She leans back into her office and grabs her bag before shutting and locking her door. "We have to leave now cause she doesn't live that close." We gather our stuff, following Carolina.
"Does she live close enough that we go to the same school?" Carolina shakes her head, "No, Quinn lives in Crestlin." My eyes widened.
Crestlin is such a beautiful city. Even the sidewalk. All surrounding cities go to Crestlin during Christmas for the vibes and tree lighting ceremony.
As we drove through the city for the last time I'm happy to leave all this behind. Unlike my sisters I had nothing going on here, they were in sports, extracurriculars, and had friends... not me. I was kind of just existing in this place.
It never really felt like home to me.
I'm hoping in Crestlin I can find myself and get involved in something.
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We pulled up to a gated community and I couldn't help but turn to my sisters with my jaw dropped. We have lived with a lot of people but we never were with a family that lived in a gated community.
My sisters were finally expressing some emotions, I could see the curiosity in their faces.
"Who are you here to see?" The man at the booth asked. "Quinn Madison." He goes in his booth and a few seconds later the gate opens up.
Quinn Madison is a pretty name... Kimberly Madison? Hmm not bad.
The houses in the neighborhood have me and my sisters awestruck. The exterior of these houses was gorgeous, I can only imagine the inside.
I thought I could only dream of living in a house like this and here I am. Even if it's temporary I'm okay with that.
We pull over in front of a house and a woman is standing at the door with a bright smile on her face.
As we get closer she gets more and more prettier. I could see the shine in her eyes as she looked at me and my sisters.
"I'm Quinn, welcome girls. Please remove your shoes. " She steps aside and lets us walk in. I felt embarrassed as we lined our shoes up next to her Chanel sneakers. Ours were old, run-down, and Walmart brand while
I turned to try to catch her reaction to our shoes but she was just smiling at us.
Quinn
I don't remember looking this perfect at 16. Maybe the milk changed.
The girls' eyes wandered around the house and I watched with a smile on my face. I'm glad they like my home— well our home now.
Carolina walks over to me, "Thank you again for opening your home and heart to these girls. They are a little closed off right now and are refusing to show any emotions. I believe they're just scared of being let down again which I understand. In time they will open up." Her voice was barely above a whisper.
Glad my hearing is good.
Carolina steps back over to the girls and lets them know she's leaving. She tells them that they can call her if something is wrong and she'll be here to check on us at the end of the week.
She gives me one last thank you and good luck before making her way out the door. Once she had driven off, I shut the door and locked it.
I turn to see the girls looking at me expectantly, "I wanted to make dinner for you girls but I wasn't sure what to make so any suggestions?" They stared blankly at me before looking at each other.
"So you have the ingredients to make tacos?" I quickly nodded. "Yes. We can beef, chicken, and shrimp tacos." I answer excitingly.
"Let me show you the rooms." I wave at them to follow. "Sorry, I'm so excited, I didn't even ask your names."
"I'm Jazlyn. This is Joy, Kimberly, and Lyric." I nodded and we continued upstairs. "So there's four rooms and 3 bathrooms. Two of you will have your own bathrooms and then two of you will share one. I guess it only makes sense that the oldest two get the separate bathrooms." They nod in agreement.
"Oldest gets first dibs." I grin and so does Jazlyn then she turns around smirking at her sisters.
Jazlyn goes through all the rooms before picking the biggest outside of my room. Joy got the second biggest room then Kimberly and Lyric got the Jack and Jill room.
"You guys can shower and do what you need while I cook. I left some toiletries and some other teenage things on the beds. I'll call everyone when the food is ready." I turn on my heels and make my way back downstairs to the kitchen.
Jazlyn
Once she was out of sight my sisters came into the room I would be staying in.
"She's so pretty." Joy stated.
"And so sweet." Lyric added.
"Guys remember Ms. Nancy? She was nice the first night then we woke up to the wicked witch of the west." I reminded them.
Kimberly sighs, "Jazlyn, please. For once just be happy and live in the moment. There are people in this world who are genuine and I think Quinn is one of those people. Keep your negativity to yourself." She walked out of the room before I could say anything.
I stare at Joy and Lyric who are staring at me. They didn't object to anything Kimberly says so I know what she's saying is how they feel as well.
"I'm going to shower." I started grabbing my stuff from the bed and going into the bathroom. They better be out when I'm done.
Quinn
The food was done around the time everyone was done getting ready. I called everyone down and one by one they came down. They stood across from me, looking at me expectantly causing me to raise a brow.
I check the table making sure I didn't forget anything.
"You can make your own plate. Get however much you want." I tell them. They looked a bit hesitant to just go for it but Kimberly ended up taking the lead and the others followed her shortly.
After they were done I made a plate and sat with them. "This is the first time not eating by myself in my home." I smile sadly. "Hopefully you won't have to eat alone ever again." Joy added and I nodded, "Hopefully."
I took a few bites of my food before letting them know the plans for tomorrow. "Tomorrow we have to sign you girls up for school. I'm not sure if y'all prefer charter, public, or maybe private school?" I look at them expectantly.
"Doesn't private school cost money?" Lyric asked and I nodded. "But it's better academics and you all will have more opportunities to do other things. We can tour it before we make any decisions." I let them know.
"We can choose?" Jazlyn's mouth was slightly parted at her question. I almost looked at her oddly before remembering their life, "Yeah of course. You girls are the ones that have to attend every day, I don't want to put y'all in a school that makes you uncomfortable." I let them know. I could see the slightest spark spear back in their eyes.
I decided to continue telling them the plans, "Then we will go shopping for clothes and shoes... phones as well." I tell them and their faces light up.
"But let's talk house rules." I watched the fear cloud their face and it made me feel bad for them. "Rooms and bathrooms must stay clean. If you use the kitchen clean it and your dishes after. No eating upstairs. If you want to invite guests over, you must ask. If you want to go anywhere you must ask. If you are being disrespectful or disobedient you will get your phone and any other electronics taken for however long I say. This is not just my home now, it's ours so please respect it. Also, respect me, I'm not the enemy and I will never be even if you think I am. We will also do chores but we will wait for the end of the week to do that so just clean up after yourself." They all nod and then continue eating.
Let's see how this goes.
