It was a Saturday and Happy was sitting in her social workers car, she'd been in the system for fifteen years- give or take a couple of months- and the longest she spent in one home was about six months. They were a nice enough family but they didn't take to kindly to Happy tinkering with the DVD player when it stopped working. Though they blamed it on Happy's tinkering. Anyway that was a couple of years ago, the family she was being taken away from this time... Well all she could say was good riddance to them.
"I'm sorry Happy, I should have known something was wrong." Sonya looked at the angry teen through the rear view mirror as Happy pulled her long sleeves further down, fiddling with the ends. It was a warm day and Sonya was pulling off of the motorway, they made their way down different streets where kids were playing. "I promise this family are lovely people. You'll like them." She tried to smile but Happy just glared at the woman. That's all Happy ever heard switching from one family to another and it was never true. Some put her in hospital, some were just after the extra money and others... well lets just say she's been through a lot of different homes. On the rare occasion, some were actually nice but then they'd just get fed up or bored of her and she'd be gone again. This new home wouldn't be any different. Within ten more minutes of driving Sonya eventually pulled up outside a big house, from the front she saw a huge bay window next to the front door. Above this was a balcony that seemed to run around the whole top of the house with patio doors dotted around leading to different rooms.
"Look Happy," Sonya turned in her seat so that she facing the girl. "This is going to be different okay? Honestly you're-"
"Save it." Happy removed her focus from the house and fixed her glare on he so called social worker. "You always say the same thing and you're always wrong. So just... Just save it. I gave up on having a loving family years ago." With that she opened the door, hoped out the car and slammed it shut again. She didn't wait for Sonya to move before heading to the boot of the car and grabbing her suitcase. She didn't own much and with moving so much it was easier this way. With Sonya at her side Happy made her way up the crazy paving, huge tree's loomed over her creating cover from the sun, they walked up the steps that lead to the front door, Sonya knocked as Happy took a look around; within seconds the door flew open and Happy was greeted by a woman who looked in her early thirties. The woman had long blond hair, a fair complexion, bright blue eyes and was dressed in a brightly coloured summer dress and flip flops. The man next to her looked in his mid to late thirties, he had short shaggy brown hair, light brown eyes and was wearing a shirt and tie with denim jeans and Nike trainers. They were both smiling down at Happy.
"Hello, Mr and Mrs Adams." Sonya smiled at them and shook both their hands "This is-"
"Happy Quinn." Mrs Adams smiled again at her as she took in Happy's appearence, she was wearing a long sleeved black top, dark denim jeans, her black combat boot and her raven black hair was tied up in a pony tail. Mrs Adams husband placed a hand on his wife's shoulder as if to remind her that they were still strangers to the teen. "Oh, god where are my manners. I'm Janine but everyone just calls me Janey and this is my husband Ryan."
"Please come in." Ryan motioned for them to step inside as Janine led them through the corridor past the living room door, past the huge wooden stairs until they were in the kitchen/dining room. Like everything with this house the kitchen/dinning area was large to say the least with only an island to separate the kitchen from the eating area, there was also two glass sliding doors near the dinning table that lead to the back garden.
"Happy?" Janine sat at the island, Ryan sitting next to her and Sonya sitting opposite. "Why don't you go outside where the others are. We just have to fill out some forms and then we'll show you around if you like." Happy just nodded.
"I'll come and say goodbye before I leave." Sonya called but Happy didn't respond, although she heard her tell the couple. "Happy is very guarded but she should warm up to you soon enough." Happy rolled her eyes at the statement. It's what she said to all the foster parents. As soon as Happy stepped outside she saw three other kids and they had noticed her almost immediately. Happy ignored their glances and whispers and sat down on the wooden swing seat that was situated on the deck not far from the doors she just came through. It took about one minute until one of the kids came strolling up to her.
"Hey, I'm Jack." The guy stood in front of her and Happy would say that he was about eighteen, so only one year older than herself. He had dirty blond hair that was gelled into spikes and was wearing dark jeans, a plain blue shirt and trainers. "What's your name?"
"Happy." At first he just looked confused but he composed himself quickly before sitting next to her.
"Well, Happy I think you'll like it here." She rolled her eyes, not cared by the fact that he saw it. He didn't say anything about it. "That's Laura-" He pointed to a brown haired girl who was reading on the grass, her hair was platted to the side. "-she's sixteen and thinks she the best thing to happen since sliced bread but she's alright. Moody half the time, but okay." Just then a five year old girl came bombing up to Happy and Jack wearing shorts and a vest, with her bright orange hair in pigtails. Jack scooped the girl up and sat her on his knee. "This one is Hayleigh."
"Why you wearing sleeves. Its too hot." Hayleigh looked up at Happy.
"I... Uh..." Happy fiddled with the ends of her sleeves as a flash of understanding flittered across Jacks features. Just then Sonya popped out the door.
"Happy, I'm leaving." Happy released a breath and walked over to her social worker. The pair walked back through the house, Mr and Mrs Adams not far behind, until they reached the front door. Sonya had her hands on Happy's shoulders, giving them a gentle squeeze. "I know you've had it rough. That the last couple of homes were... well these people aren't them. They're going to be good for you Happy so be good for them and try not to get into trouble. Please." She gave Happy a quick hug, which Happy returned after slight hesitation, then left. Happy turned around and faced the couple.
"So, would you like us to show you around?" Ryan asked it but his voice had a nervous edge to it, she didn't know what to say or what to call them so she just nodded. Her wall had been securely in place before she left her last home but she would do what Sonya asked and would at least try.
She already knew the layout of downstairs but upstairs their were five bedrooms, two bathrooms and an office, each one of the bedrooms and the office had patio doors leading outside and onto the balcony. Happy's bedroom was the first thing they showed her. It was medium sized with cream coloured walls, there was a wardrobe on one side with a desk up against the other- a brand new laptop was sitting there already- next to the window. On the wall opposite her window was her bed, it was a single but a large single (practically a small double bed). After that she saw the rest of the house they even took her down to the garage that she saw when her and Sonya had walked up to the house. In the garage was a dark blue 2007 Toyota Camry and a large fridge freezer that was tucked up in the far corner. They made their way back through the house and sat in living room, the couple sat on the delicately patterned cream settee while Happy sat on the arm chair opposite.
"Well that's everything, Ryan has already taken your stuff upstairs and put them in your room." She looked at her husband. "Errm... we can take you shopping tomorrow for some things for your room if you like?" Happy just nodded along, never looking directly at the couple.
"Oh we bought you a laptop as well and a new phone, if you want it that is." Ryan smiled as Happy took the phone from him, mumbling a thank you.
"Look Happy, we read your file." Happy brought her gaze to rest on Janine. "We know you've had a lot of different families looking after you. We don't know why there was so many and we wont pry but we are here if you'd like to talk about it."
"We just want you to be comfortable, you seem to have been through a lot and we just want to help. If you'll let us." Ryan finished his wife's train of thought.
"I appreciate you buying me my phone and a laptop." It wasn't much but they seemed pleased with it, so far so good.
Happy didn't speak during dinner, she just sat and listened to what everyone was talking about, Hayleigh seemed to like Happy and to be honest Happy liked her too. But she had always been good with the little ones seeing as in some of the other homes if she didn't look after them no one would. That's one of the reasons Happy ended up in hospital so much, because half the time it was due to her protecting the other younger kids. From what Happy had gathered, none of the kids were Ryan's or Janine's. They were all foster kids.
That night Happy lay in her bed, tomorrow she's going shopping for school supplies and for stuff for her bedroom. Then Monday she was starting at another new school.
Thanks for reading, I already have a couple of chapters already done so if you guys want another chapter then just let me know and i'll upload chapter two as quick as possible. Hope you guys liked it. Leave a review and let me know what you think. :)