crystal falls

Chapter 4

Rori's P.O.V. Enjoy! :D

Chapter 4

I am so glad the day is over. I had yet another day full of stares and introductions. Why is it that everyone stares at me? I mean, it would be a different story if I was amazingly gorgeous or freakishly ugly, but I look average. I couldn’t help but smile when I heard Adrian call me over in the commons. “We are headed to the movie so I figured I’d catch you here rather than going all the way back to the house.” He said looking down at the ground. When he finally looked up I made sure and smiled really big to let him know I was glad he caught me. He seems really sweet. When we got to the car, I met the only member of their family I hadn’t seen before. “I’m Isaac.” He said smiling.

“I’m Rori.” I said shaking his hand. I saw his eyes almost involuntarily shift to my cheek.

“That’s quite a bruise.” He said frowning.

“It’s nothing.” I lied trying to think of an excuse. “I ran into a door handle.” I said looking at Adrian as I said it. Last thing I needed was someone with authority snooping around and forcing us to move again. Adrian seemed to understand, but Isaac didn’t look convinced. He looked me over with judging eyes taking inventory of scars from past beatings and bruises and scratches from recent ones. “I’m a bit of a klutz.” I whispered, ashamed that a stranger cared more than my own mother. He surprised me by hugging me.

“If you need anything, don’t think twice about asking me. I won’t tell but you have to be honest with me about what happened.” Yeah right, like I hadn’t heard that before.

“I ran into a door knob and tripped on the stairs. That’s what happened.” Isaac sighed but dropped the subject thankfully. The drive to the theater was quiet. At the movies I sat between Adrian and Emi. I must have been really tired because I fell asleep. I got really embarrassed because I was leaning on Adrian, so I hurriedly moved when I woke up. He stifled a laugh since the movie was still on. I decided to get a pop to keep myself awake. The line at the concessions was super long, but I waited anyway. I ordered a cherry Pepsi. I was digging in my pockets when I remembered I didn’t have any money.

“I got it.” Adrian said handing the cashier the money.

“Thanks.” I said blushing. “I will pay you back I promise.”

“Don’t worry about it. Isaac told us to pay for you so it’s all good.” He bought himself some popcorn and we went back to the theatre. I’m not sure how it happened but we somehow ended up sharing the popcorn and soda. David looked at us weird and Emi almost busted up laughing. I don’t see why. After the movie we went to the arcade. Adrian and I played a dance game. “You know,” Adrian said after losing three times. “For a klutz you sure are light on your feet.” Even though he was only joking, it was like a slap in the face. I figured he would have caught on that I had lied to his brother but apparently he didn’t understand as well as I thought.

“I have to get home.” I told Emi and left. I ran about halfway there when I heard a car following me.

“You need a ride?” Isaac asked looking concerned.

“No thanks.” I said and kept walking. He drove right beside me all the way home. When I walked in, I saw mom out like a light with needle marks on her arms and syringes on the table. Drug of choice, heroine; lovely mom, best example yet. I ran up to my room and started to cry. When I couldn’t cry anymore, I looked out my window and saw Adrian staring at me. ‘I’m sorry’ he wrote on a piece of paper he held up to the window. I really wanted to be in a house where I wasn’t alone at least for a few hours. ‘Can I come over?’ I wrote back. I took his huge smile to mean yes. I grabbed shoes and rushed over. He was waiting outside for me.

“Want to walk to the park?” He asked.

“Sure.” I said. We walked and talked until we both got too tiered and then walked home. Emi was on the porch.

“Isaac said she could stay the night.” She said sleepily. I went home and got clothes for the next day and went back to the Andrews’ house. Even though I fear becoming close with anyone, I have to admit this family cares for me a lot. I fall asleep thinking of what it would be like to have a family like them.