Sylvie's POV
When I walked into the bunk room, I found Naia sitting crossed legged on Gabby's bed, facing away from me.
I slowly approached her, "Hey, is everything okay?"
Naia turned around and gave me a weak smile but didn't say anything. I sat down next to her, unsure of what to say.
"Did something happen at school?" I asked and Naia shrugged, not making eye contact.
Finally, she responded.
"Kids are idiots." She mumbled and I resisted the urge to laugh. It was just the way she said it.
"Did they say something?" I pushed and Naia finally broke. She started sobbing and I wrapped an arm around her, letting her cry into me.
"They said that nobody would ever want to adopt me, that's why I was put into foster care in the first place." She said in between sobs. "I don't know what I did wrong. They're saying stuff like how the fire should have killed me and that it would be easier for everyone if I was dead."
I shook my head, pulling Naia even closer to me. "No, no, that isn't true. I know for a fact that what they said is not true."
"Nobody wants to be my friend. Forget that, nobody evens wants to be my partner in projects or gym class, or even be close to me. Nobody wants to be friends with the freak." Naia said. Tears were rolling down her cheeks. "And according to them, I'll never have parents because my real parents will never take me back."
I tried to calm Naia down before talking. "I've told you I was adopted right?" Naia nodded.
"Well," I said, "My adoptive parents will always be my parents. Nothing can change that."
"It's like I have some sort of contagious illness. Come close to me and your parents will hate you." Naia mumbled. She sighed and we sat, not speaking.
Naia was the one who broke the silence.
"Do you think Matt and Gabby will be mad?" She whispered.
I was a little taken aback. "What? No! Why would they be mad?"
Naia shrugged, "It's just, it's like I'm creating all these problems. It's kind of why I didn't tell them this was going on. I feel like it's my problem and I don't need to drag them into it. I don't want it to become their problem. I hope I didn't drag you into this."
"No, you're not dragging anyone into something. That's what we're here for, to help you. We'll always be here for you." I said. "Got it?"
Naia nodded and I smiled. "How about we go and make ourselves some hot chocolate?"
"Alright," Naia replied and she allowed me to lead her back to the kitchen. When we walked in, Gabby perked up and we made eye contact. I gave her a reassuring smile.
"We were just going to make some hot chocolate. Do you want some?" I asked and Gabby nodded slowly.
"Yeah sure. Thanks." Gabby replied, looking a tad confused.
Matt raised his hand, "Hot chocolate sounds good!"
"I think the hot chocolate powder is in the cupboard if you wanna get it?" I said to Naia who nodded. "I'll start boiling the water."
I filled the kettle with tap water and then turned on the stove before setting the kettle on the burner. Naia had taken out the jar of hot chocolate powder and placed it on the counter. We went over to where Matt and Gabby were sitting and took a seat.
"Is everything okay?" Matt asked Naia who looked away. Before we could say anything else, the alarms sounded.
Truck 81, Engine 51, Squad 3, Ambo 61, Ambo 23, plaza fire at 21 Walnut St.
We all got up and I followed Gabby towards the ambo. We hopped in and I started the engine before pulling out of the apparatus floor, following Truck 81. Squad 3, Engine 51, and Ambo 23 were right behind us, one after the other.
"Did she tell you anything?" Gabby asked as I drove.
I nodded, a little bit unsure of whether I should tell Gabby or not. In the end, I decided to tell her since Naia hadn't told me to not tell her. Plus, she should know what's going on.
"Long story short, the kids at school are saying mean things about her biological parents and how she's a foster kid," I said over the blaring of the sirens. "She didn't want to say anything because she didn't want to drag you into her problem. Quote unquote."
Gabby stayed silent for a moment. "That's awful." She said, shaking her head. "I just assumed that once Nate joined the picture, things just got better. God, I feel awful. The whole time, this was going on and I had no idea."
"It isn't your fault. I thought that the bullying was better too." I said, "There's no way you could have known."
Gabby shook her head, "I should have noticed the signs. It was so obvious. Whenever we asked about school, she'd always say it was good. You can't have that many good days."
"No, it's not your fault. Look, when we get back, why don't you talk to her?" I suggested and Gabby nodded her head slowly.
"Yeah, that seems like a good idea," Gabby said and I smiled at her.
"Of course it is, I came up with it." I laughed.