If you are a Zaya shipper, like me, this page is for you. I'm new to this and while my writing may be a little shaky, I want you to bare with me.
Ch. One - Welcome
(ZIG)
I step on to the pavement, slinging my bag over my shoulder. The weather is cold; the only thing shielding me from this torturing weather is my worn leather jacket. Parts of the leather is peeling and cracking from me wearing it for so long. My dingy, holey jeans can't even protect me from this weather. My solid boots are, too, worn and cracking in certain spots.
Jumping from foster homes to foster homes is pretty tiring. Not everyone can handle the disturbing background I came from. They judge me on my past and look at me weird because of the future I'm trying to set for myself.
Coming from a tough, dark background was something I'm not to keen on. I'm trying to better myself; make people believe that I didn't want to be born in the family I was born it. Sometimes I slip up and end up like my family: jail delinquents. I end up in jail, begging to be set free so I can get my life back on the right track. There are times where it works and then there are times where I have to spend time in jail, making up for all the damages I caused.
"Welcome to your new home Zigmund."
I look over to see Olivia Milligan, my new foster mother staring at me. Her friend is my social worker and has told her about my story. After being wounded by the heart hearing my touching story, she decided to get her license in adoption and took it up with the judge. Now, here we are.
"Ready to meet your new brothers?"
Olivia has two sons - Owen and Tristan Milligan. She describes Owen, the oldest, as the man of the house. After their father, and her husband, walked out on them a few years back, Owen has decided to take charge and step up. He helps around the house and is like a father to his younger brother, Tristan. Olivia told me how Tristan is openly gay and that caused kids at the school to make fun of him. Owen being the protective brother he is has beat up several kids and ended up being in jail for it. So, Olivia made sure to notify me that she was well aware of having a child in jail.
"Yes," I nod, a smile forming on my face.
"Come on in side then."
She takes my hand and leads me to the porch. She then lets it go to only go in her purse to find her keys. Afterwards, Olivia unlocks the door and steps aside for me to walk in. I gape in awe at the beautiful decor in the house. The lavish statues, the luxurious furniture, and the exquisite taste is something I've never seen before. Olivia did tell me she was a lawyer, but I had no idea she had it made like this! This is just...amazing.
"I know, it's a lot to take in," Olivia smirks. "Boys, come meet the new member of the family!"
I hear heavy footsteps run down the steps. One bulky, tall man comes down first. Following behind him is a skinny, lanky boy. The tall bulky one has dark brown hair that's just below his ears. The skinny, lanky boy has platinum blonde hair. I'm assuming that this one is Tristan and the older one is Owen, but I wait for them to introduce themselves.
"Boys, this is Zigmund -"
"Zig," I correct her.
"Zig," she smiles. "This Owen," she gestures to the older looking one, "and this is Tristan."
"Wassup man," Owen tells me, extending his hand out for me to shake, "welcome to the family."
I shake his hand, nodding and saying, "Thanks."
Tristan pulls me into a hug. For a moment I feel awkward, but i start to loosen up and I awkwardly hug him back. From behind I hear Olivia chuckling along with Owen.
"Welcome Zig; I've always wanted another addition to the family."
"Well," Olivia smiles warmly, "I'm glad the introductions are out the way. Now, you all can get to know each other, show Zig to his room. I'm going to go start dinner."
Tristan takes my hand, volunteering to show me to my room. I begin to wonder if he's beginning to take a liking to me, but I decide not to question it. I remember Olivia telling me the countless of times Tristan has been bullied so I keep my mouth shut.
We go up the stairs and walk down the hall to the last room on the right. He opens the door and shows me a room that's painted a nice, soft gray. The blankets are gray and black; the carpet is a nice dark gray color. In the far left corner is a black electric guitar and on the other side is a desk with a Mac laptop and a stack of comic books. A stereo is diagonal from the computer desk. As I walk farther in the room and turn around, I see a 15" flat-screen built into the wall.
This room is amazing!
"Whoa," I gasp.
"Yeah," Tristan smiles, "I wanted to see your reaction. Now, I can go talk to my bff before we eat dinner."
Tristan struts off, leaving me to stare at my room in awe alone. I walk over to the guitar, using my fingertips to lightly touch the guitar. I smile widely, thinking about the conversation I first had with Olivia when she came to visit me.
She came into the boys home wearing a navy blue skirt-set suit. A white shirt was underneath the blazer and a pair of red pumps is adorned on her feet. Her golden brown hair is brushed into a high bun with a swoop bang. She's wearing light makeup which doesn't take attention from her bright, blue eyes. A suitcase is held firmly in her hand.
The guys and I were washing dishes after a big meal that was received. Donald told us that if we cleaned the dishes, he'd make sure to have a nice surprise for us tomorrow, but when the lady with the skirt-set came in, the washing ceased. Everyone was suddenly interested in what the woman was doing her. The guys whistled and talked lowly to each other about what they wanted to do with her. Me, I was wondering what she was doing her and if she was interested in adopting one us - preferably me.
Who knew I was quickly about to find out.
"Zigmund," Donald, the owner of the boys home, calls out to me.
I hand the plate I washing to Tiny, one of the friend's I made in here, before making my way over to the two of them.
"Have a seat."
I sit down, wondering what had I done this time. Was I in trouble? No, I couldn't be. I was on my best behavior because I needed to get out of here - I had to get out of here. I was done being labeled as the less fortunate jail delinquent. I wanted to be placed with a loving family who wouldn't turn their backs on me, who wouldn't give up on me when I slip up sometimes, who will stand by my side when I'm having a breakdown.
The previous families I've been in has never done that.
"Zigmund -"
"Zig," I exhaled audibly.
"Sorry, Zig, this is Olivia Milligan. She's a good friend of mine and I told her a bit about you - I hope you don't mind."
"No, it's fine. Nice to meet you."
"The pleasure is all mine, Zig. Donald has told me some wonderful and not so wonderful things about you and I must say, I've taken a sudden interest in you. A young man like you does not deserve the things that was handed to him, but everything does happen for a reason. I have two sons at home; one of them used to actually stir up a lot of trouble himself when he was young. He was in and out of jail a few times and used to hang with the wrong crowd. He was known for bullying in his younger years, but soon straightened up when he realized his younger brother was bullied for being gay. He turned his life around and now he's on the right track. He just graduated from high school and will be attending community college in the fall.
Anyway, I wanted to tell you that I want to spend some time with you. You know, get to know you before I make my final decision."
"Decision?" I questioned.
"Yes, Zig, I want to adopt you - if it's not a problem with you. I want you to grow in a loving home. I can't imagine what it feels like to be tossed around from jail, to foster homes, to group homes, but I want you to know I am here for you."
"Why do you care so much?" I asked, stunned that someone was actually interested in me. I could tell in her eyes that she really wanted to help me; she wanted to turn my life around and help me on the right track, but why? Why did this woman care so much about me?
"I had a brother once, Zig. My parents couldn't have kids so they adopted me and another boy named Kyle. Kyle was a couple years older than me. He came from a troubled background, like you. When we were adopted, Kyle was okay. He hardly got in trouble up until his junior year of high school. He was always in trouble, always in jail, and never wanted to listen to our parents. He was a rebellion and that always kept him in trouble. He was kicked out of school and forced into a group home. My parents tried to do everything for him, but they couldn't help someone who didn't want to be help," Olivia pauses for a second, taking a deep breath a shedding a few tears. She wipes them away before continuing.
"They decided that they didn't want to raise Kyle anymore. He was giving them so much stress not even a therapist could help take away. Kyle was devastated that our parents had given up on him that he decided to kill himself. He left a note behind, addressing to our parents that he wished they hadn't given up on him. We later found out the reason for his wild behavior was because he went to find his birth mother. He found out that she had a new family - she was perfectly happy with a lavish home, three children, and a husband. He always wondered why she had given up on him. It got worse when he found out that our parents had given up on him.
My reason for telling you this, Zig, is not for entertainment. I'm telling you this because I want you to know that you were sent someone who won't give up on you. When Donald told me your story, I thought about my brother. It brought memories back and tears to my eyes. I was told about you for a reason and that reason is to help you. I know you feel forgotten about and given up on, Zigmund, but trust me - you're not. I want you to know that I will do everything I can to make you apart of my family."
I was touched by her words and floored by the information that she had just told me. She really wanted to help me; mainly because I reminded her of her brother, Kyle. I had never had someone share such personal information with me. I had never had anyone tell me that they cared about me this much. I was speechless; what was I to say to her? I barely knew her and yet, she was sharing this with me. She truly cared about me.
"Yo!" there was a knock at the door.
I turn around to see Owen leaning against the door frame. He walks in the room and looks around, taking in the room as if it's the first time he's seeing it.
"I'm still jealous this is your room," he smirks.
I chuckle.
"Look, you're a Milligan now. Whenever you're in trouble, I'm here. I'm like your big bro now so don't hesitate to call me."
"Thanks Owen, this really means a lot to me."
"No problem and uh, dinner is ready. So wash your hands and come down stairs into the dining room."
I thank him once again before he exits the room. I walk out of my room and search around for the bathroom. I go to wash my hands and then I go down the stairs, going straight to the dining room. Olivia, Tristan, and Owen are already seated. They're sitting there waiting for me. I smile awkwardly as I take my seat at the table.
On the table is lobsters, shrimps, oysters, clams, and tossed salad. Before digging in, Olivia makes us gather hands to say grace. After blessing the food, we fix our plates and dig in. We all make small talk, allowing me to ease in and relax into the conversation.
"So, Zig, in a week you'll be starting Degrassi along with Tristan," Olivia smiles. "I already enrolled you and we have a meeting with Principal Simpson tomorrow. Later on, Owen and Tristan will take you shopping for some more clothes and whatever else you'd like."
"Okay; do I need to know anything about Degrassi?"
"Yes," Tristan and Owen say in unison.
They inform me about Degrassi, telling me all the pros and cons about it. It's a great school, but it's filled with a lot of drama. The students are conniving and sneaky; you have to know which crowd to hang around. Tristan and Owen inform me to hang out Tristan and his friends; they're apparently the safest people in the school.
Tristan tells me about his best friends Tori and Maya. He tells me how Tori is leaving pretty soon and throwing a go away party before she leaves. It's this Friday, so Tristan invites me to tag along with him.
After dinner, I'm stuffed. I say goodnight to everyone and go into my room. I close the door softly and step out of my clothes, grabbing a towel to wrap around my lower half. I walk down the bathroom and close the door behind me. I turn on the water and step into the shower, letting the scalding water relax my muscles. I stay in the shower for a few minutes, thinking about everything that has happened today. For once, I finally feel like I'm apart of a family.