Sorry for the long wait. Sorry for not updating this story in a long time. I had writer's block, but now I've gotten my muse back. I'll try and update as often as I can now.
Matthew and Amaris have been living with Mike and Ana for a month now. They have made many leaps and bounds. Mike and Ana have gained more and more trust from Matthew and Amaris everyday, but with more trust comes more trials. The past week had been especially been trying. Although they are hopeful that the start of the new week will be different.
It's Monday morning, Matthew and Amaris are sitting at the table eating breakfast with their foster parents. Everyone at the table is quiet. It's kind of like an awkward silence until Mike stands up, puts his dishes into the sink, and then walks back to the table.
"Alright I have to go." Mike announced
Ana nodded and then kissed her husband, "Okay be safe, honey."
"I will. I always am." Mike replied after kissing his wife back.
"Bye Mikey. Love you." Amaris stated giving Mike a hug
Mike hugged the little girl back and planted a kiss on the top of her head, "Bye princess. Love you too." Then he looked at Matthew, "Bye bud. I love you."
"Bye." Matthew mumbled as he continued looking at his food, playing with it rather than eating it.
Mike sighed softly and then turned around and walked out the front door.
Ana stood up and took her cut and plate out to the sink, "Okay kids, we have to leave in fifteen minutes. So hurry up and finish eating please."
"May I be excused?" Matthew asked "I'm full."
Ana looked a little confused but was more concerned, "Um Matt, buddy, you barely ate anything. Are you feeling alright?"
Matthew gave a small nod, "Yeah. I'm just not very hungry, Ana."
"Oh okay. Well then, I guess you may be excused." Ana told him "I'll get your dish, while you go brush your teeth."
Matthew stood up and walked to the bathroom without another word.
"Ana, what's wrong with Matty?" Amaris asked "He's acting so strange."
Ana picked up the dish, "I'm not sure, baby. But Mikey and I will figure it out. You're not to worry, my dear."
"Okay Ana." Amaris replied "I'm done eating too." Then Amaris stood up and walked to join her brother in the bathroom.
When Amaris entered the bathroom, she looked up at her big brother, who is brushing his teeth. She just stared at him.
Matthew turned his head to look at his little sister, "What? Why are you staring at me?"
"Because I'm worried about you." Amaris stated "What's wrong, Matty?"
"Nothing!" Matthew snapped at her. He finished brushing and then rinsed his mouth before turning back to his sister, "Would you just mind your own freaking business and stop worrying about me. It's not your job." Then he stormed out of the bathroom.
Amaris looked hurt, like she wanted to cry. She let out a breath and then started brushing her teeth.
Meanwhile in the living room, Matthew is aggresively attacking his backpack while trying to pack up his books.
"Hey Matt, honey, could you calm down over there? Just take your time and be gentle." Ana advised him calmly
Matthew looked up and shot her a glare, "Don't tell me what to do! You're not my mom!"
"Okay. You know what, Matt, you can take it down a notch. I'm on your side and so is Mike." Ana assured him
"Whatever." Matthew said rolling his eyes as he threw his backpack over his shoulder. "I'm walking to school." He added as he walked out the front door, slamming it behind him.
After the door was slammed, Amaris emerged from the bathroom and into the living room.
"Ana, where's Matty?" Amaris asked as she looked around and didn't see her older brother anywhere.
Ana sighed softly, "He decided that he's going to walk to school today."
"Why?" Amaris wondered confused
Ana shrugged, "I'm not sure. I think he's having a hard time adjusting. Or he might just be testing his boundaries."
Amaris nodded, "Okay Ana."
"Alright." Ana replied "Are you ready to leave?"
"Yeah." Amaris stated with a small nod.
Meanwhile when Matthew arrives at school, he walks to his class. Jude is in all of his classes and he's not happy about that. He doesn't like the kid, since he's always all up in his business and wanting to know how he's doing. Like it doesn't even matter.
"Hi Matthew." Jude greets as soon as Matthew enters the classroom.
"Shut up!" Matthew spat at him. Then he smiles and high five's Connor, "What up, Stevens?"
Conner high five's him back, "How you doing, Raeleen?"
Matthew shrugged, "Not very good. Mike and Ana keep getting all up in my business. They won't get off my case. Keep acting like my parents."
"Maybe that's a good thing." Connor suggested "They care about you."
Matthew shook his head, "It's not. I don't want them to care."
"Why not?" Connor asked
"Just because I don't." Matthew stated
Connor nodded, but didn't say anything more. He just dropped the subject.
Later with Amaris and her friend, Clara at recess. They are playing on the monkey bars while Amaris expresses her concern about her brother.
"My brother been acting so strange lately. Lashing out at me and Ana and Mike." Amaris told Clara "I wish I knew what was wrong with him, but he won't talk about it. He's usually so sweet."
Clara looked at Amaris strangely once reaching the other side of the monkey bars, "You call your parents by their first name?"
"Oh, Mike and Ana aren't my parents." Amaris stated "They're my foster parents."
"Where are your parents?" Clara asked curiously
Amaris looked down sadly, "They died."
"Oh I'm sorry." Clara replied
Amaris shrugged, "It's okay. You didn't know."
A little after lunch time, Ana received a phone call from Anchor Beach about Matthew.
"Hello, this is Lena Adams. The Vice Principal at Anchor Beach Charter School." Lena said "Is this Ana Foster?"
"Yes, this is Ana. What's this about?" Ana inquired growing concerned
Lena took a breath, "It's about Matthew Raeleen. He's been suspended for three days. I'm going to need you to come and pick him up."
"Alright. I'll be there as soon as I can." Ana told the woman
Hope you enjoy. Comments are greatly appreciated.
What do you think is going on with Matthew? Why is he lashing out? What did he do to get suspended?
What would you like to see happen next?