----*----
I guess my father just thought I needed a new start after I gave Edric to Matt and Shelley. He managed to convince a public school in Tacoma to take me.
Stadium High was a large imposing, castle-like structure. I gulped and looked at my schedule. Great, once again, my math class is first.
I walked into the room, a few minutes late. "Yo'el Winters?" The teacher asked when I entered.
I totally surprised myself when I replied. "Lizzie. It's Lizzie." The name tasted bitter on my tongue. Just like Luke's.
----*----
I told the same thing to all of the teachers. It was the only thing I said all day.
At the end of the day, someone came up to me. "Lizzie, right?" He was red-headed, and freckled. "I'm Roger; we have the same first class."
I nodded.
"I'm sorry. I mean, I mean, I mean. I don't want to intrude. But, can I ask you a question?" He was trying very carefully not to hurt my feelings.
I nodded again. Just as long as you're not asking me out, bud.
He took a shaking breath. "Are you a foster kid?"
The only other person who ever asked such a blunt question was Luke. I shook my head.
"Should you be?" When I didn't respond, he quickly amended. "My father's a minister. I've seen signs in other students here."
Should I? I asked myself. Am I letting my father make my choices for me? Or is what Tom did coming back to haunt me? Oh, Luke, I wish you were here.