Thanks again for all the support! Here's the next chapter, I hope you like it! Please don't be afraid to leave a review, I love hearing your thoughts!
Skye was frozen in shock. The noise of students rushing home vanished and her vision became blurred. She felt like she was going to be sick. Skye's breathing picked up and she urged herself not to have a panic attack, not here. After a couple of minutes managed to calm herself down. Slamming her locker shut she slowly scouted the hall for any signs of Ward. She was so gonna kick his ass. 'Wait, if I hurt him, he'll hurt Natasha' Skye thought. Natasha didn't deserve this.
He also knew that she was a liar. If he told the school or worse her friends, then they would hate her. No one wanted to be friends with a damaged teen who had a criminal record. Once they found out her own parents didn't want her then surely, they wouldn't either.
Suddenly Skye collided with a solid body sending her sprawling to the floor. She had been too caught up in her thoughts that she hadn't realized she'd started pacing.
"Ouch, oh Skye, we really need to stop running into each other like this" Lincoln laughed.
Lincoln stopped when he saw the look on Skye's face. Her eyes were dull, haunted and her face sickly pale.
"Hey, Skye, are you alright?"
Lincoln's face was full of concern and Skye wanted to say 'yes I'm fine' but instead she couldn't suffocate the sob that escaped her.
Next thing she knew, Lincoln had enveloped Skye, his arms protectively wrapped around her whilst she was sobbing into his shoulder. "Shhhh it's alright" Lincoln whispered, and Skye felt comforted. She didn't realize that this was what she needed. Lincoln smelt like mint and Skye felt herself clinging to him like a lifeline.
After a couple of minutes Skye regained confidence and broke away. The corridor was now empty and she was pleased for the privacy.
"Um sorry" Skye apologized.
"No need to be sorry, that's what I'm here for. What's up?" Lincoln asked.
Skye couldn't tell him. If she did then he would want to do something about it, but Skye couldn't risk any harm coming to Natasha. So Skye smiled, masking her pain, and said "Don't worry about it I'm fine."
Lincoln gave her a skeptical look and wondered how many times Skye had said that lie before.
After making sure Skye was ok Lincoln headed home and Skye to St Agnes.
She didn't know what Ward wanted with her so badly but decided that until she heard from him next, she wouldn't worry. Natasha was constantly surrounded by the nuns or other children being one of the younger inhabitants so she shouldn't be too paranoid, Skye reasoned.
Skye got back earlier than usual. It was Friday and as potential fosters visited on Saturdays this meant that St Agnes had to be cleaned from top to bottom. Skye groaned, she hated cleaning days, but if she didn't participate then she could have her computer time revoked and she wanted to contact Jemma and Fitz about their science homework. So when Skye was ordered to clean the bathrooms and the stairs – she always got the worst jobs! – she obeyed.
Skye was cleaning with a girl called Joanne and a boy called Rodger when Sara and Jillian walked in. They laughed at Skye's position on the floor and 'accidentally' kicked the dirty bucket of water over her. After the initial shock had worn off, Skye jumped up ready to punch the girls but they had already taken off, sprinting down the corridor. Skye sprinted after them, dodging around the maze of cleaning children. Some yelled when they were accidentally knocked sideways during the chase, whilst others ran after Skye wanting to see the result of the conflict.
Sister Bertha had been checking every room and making sure that all the children were doing their specific jobs. She had a list of each delegated task and if they were neglected then it was her job to go find the child and punish them. She had just finished checking the cloak room and was heading to the offices when 2 bodies ran into her headfirst.
Sara and Jillian fell to the floor. Many children had stopped to witness what was happening and some were cheering Skye on as she ran down the stairs after her enemies. When Sara and Jillian fell Skye joined in on the collective laughter.
"What's going on out here!" Sister Jones stormed out of her office and took in the scene. Sister Bertha had Jillian and Sara by their collars and was ushering them into the main office whilst Sister Jones saw Skye's drenched clothes and called her too into the office.
Both nuns took their respective seats behind the desk and the three girls sat across from them.
"Now would anyone like to explain what happened. Mary?"
"I was cleaning the girl's bathroom when Sara and Jillian walked in and kicked the bucket of water at me, which is why I'm wet. And then I chased them through the corridors, and they ran into Sister Bertha" Skye explained "You can ask Joanne and Rodger if you don't believe me" Skye added.
When it was Sara's turn to explain she made up a highly unconvincing story about Skye being a bully and, of course, Jillian agreed. Skye glared at them but kept her mouth shut.
In the end they all got punished, Sara and Jillian more so than Skye. Skye wasn't fully fussed if she was grounded for the weekend, she hadn't been planning to go out anyway.
"Now Mary I suggest you get changed in time for dinner" Sister Jones concluded.
"I can't, I only have two sets of tops and the other is in the wash" Skye accused.
In the end Sister Jones retrieved some new-ish clothes for Skye. Every child received donated clothes every 6 months, on rotation. Skye was due some more the following week anyway and, therefore, was given a jumper, three more tops, some shorts and three pairs of jeans and Skye was grateful, people had started to notice her lack of clothing choices. Overall, this confrontation had ended up being a win for her.
Skye still vowed to get revenge on Sara and Jillian but decided she could wait a couple days to gain an element of surprise.
Phil Coulson had always wanted to be a father. After his unfortunate divorce with Audrey, Phil had met Melinda. She was a fierce FBI agent and he had fallen head over heels for her. Despite their differences in personality, they now lived a very peaceful life together in a spacious rural house near the edge of town. However, Phil still wanted to be a father. He loved teaching the kids at school but that wasn't enough, their life was far too peaceful. He knew Melinda and he were too old to conceive, therefore, after years of trying, he had finally convinced Melinda into fostering.
"We're just going to have a look today and maybe apply for emergency fostering but no long-term ok Phil?"
"Of course, dear." Phil replied but his smile conveyed a mischief that made Melinda wary.
Melinda knew she wasn't mother material. She had always disliked children and their noise and need for attention. By being a PE teacher, she knew she could keep her distance and she had only become a teacher in the first place because Phil wanted her around more.
"And no kids under the age of 10 ok?" Melinda confirmed. Phil just nodded and smirked.
Being one of the older children Skye found herself helping the kitchen staff Saturday morning. Her job was to help serve refreshments to all the potential foster parents. The younger children were the ones to show off and suck up to the couples. Skye never liked the idea of acting like an object to be bought and, therefore, preferred to assist the staff. Skye hoped Natasha would get picked and put into a nice home, then she wouldn't have to worry about Ward anymore.
As Skye weaved in and out of the masses of children chatting and showing off their drawings, her eyes were drawn to the corner of the rec room were a couple sat looking awkward and out of place. As Skye caught a better site of the two people she froze. Sitting on a sofa was Mrs May and Mr Coulson. They hadn't seen Skye and she didn't want them too. They couldn't find out she was one of these desperate kids. But at the same time a slither of hope bubbled in Skye's stomach. May and Coulson were looking to foster… Skye was looking for parent. Skye really liked Mr Coulson and Mrs May but didn't yet know if they could be trusted. But if they liked her then maybe she could have a home with them.
'Don't be stupid' Skye told herself 'No one would want you, your broken and have behavioral problems (according to her file)'
Suddenly Coulson stood up and started walking in Skye's direction, without thinking she ran.