Hello! Two chapters in one day! I just figured that since I was able to get it edited, the additional chapter would be fun, especially since the other one was so short. Thank you for all the support! Hope you enjoy!
Skye took a seat. She could feel her palms sweating and her previously settled heart rate begin to climb again. Why was she nervous? She had been through this before. Sure, it was a quick turn around, but she had always been adaptable. She had to be as a foster kid, wearing many hats was just part of the gig. But this is different, she thought. He's important. Noteworthy. she shook her head slightly, trying to reassure herself with the fact it probably wouldn't be long before she ended up right back in this building. Besides, the sisters were essentially just pushing this on her for a hopeful donation to the orphanage. The other kids deserved that, didn't they?
clearing her head again, she looked up at the turning doorknob. Sister Agatha walked in, followed by Mrs. Hill and a well-dressed, dark haired man who smelled like cigarettes. Mrs. Hill didn't look too happy about this, but was hoping, Skye figured, that the high status of the man would at least mean that Skye would be treated fine.
"Mary Sue, say hello to John Garrett. After signing the paperwork, He will be your guardian for the foreseeable future." Sister Agatha was straight to the point, but Skye could see her wringing her hands with anxious energy. Probably hoping that Garrett will donate to the orphanage, or something, Skye thought.
"uh, hey." Skye said lamely. She hated the introductions. Sister Agatha, who had made her way to Skye's side, elbowed her. "I mean, hello. My name is Mary Sue, but I go by Skye. Thank you for taking me in," she parroted as she had done so many times previously. After being elbowed again, she extended her hand out to shake, which Mr. Garrett took. His hands were cold and clammy. She tried not to freak out at the contact, having previously been taught the hard way to avoid being touched if she could help it, but it was quickly over.
"Hello, Mary. My wife and I are so excited to be fostering you." He finished that sentence with a smile that made Skye uncomfortable. She figured she was being paranoid, and returned her own smile which she hoped wouldn't look too fake.
"Alright Garrett, you just have to sign these few forms and you two will be free to go!" Skye didn't like how peppy the sister was being around him, and, after glancing over at Mrs. Hill, figured that she didn't either, but she wasn't in the position to be saying so immediately.
After long, Skye found herself being waved off by Sister Agatha and Mrs. Hill.
"I'll be stopping by in a few days, Mr. Garrett, just to check how Mary Sue is settling in." Skye, while a little annoyed that Mrs. Hill had used her legal name around the other adults, was glad that she would be checked on soon. Garrett gave her an uncomfortable feeling she just couldn't shake.
The ride to Garrett's house was silent, which Skye was glad for. She didn't want to make small talk with this stranger she had been shoved towards a mere half an hour ago. Besides, she had already learned that silence is best when scoping out the situation.
Garrett's house soon came into view, and it. was. Huge. Sister Agatha hadn't been kidding when she had said that he was an important figure. This man practically owned a mansion, for pete's sakes! while it was huge, though, it looked cold and almost foreboding. It looked like a place filled with plenty of expensive, breakable things; and hence, many chances to mess up.
Skye walked out the car door, grabbing her bags, and began walking towards the door. Garrett opened the door for her, leading her into a massive main hallway with a curved staircase and a chandelier. Skye kept her jaw from physically dropping at the beautiful paintings on the walls and the arched doorways.
"Welcome home," Garrett exclaimed, smiling. "Your room is right this way."
He led her up the staircase into a room with heather gray walls and a queen bed. Across the bed was a vanity set with a mirror and a desk. A dresser sat next to a full length mirror, lined with fairy lights. It wasn't as glamorous as the rest of the house, but it was the nicest room she had been in for a long time.
"wow, I- thank you, so much. you didn't have to, really." she rubbed the back of her neck nervously, walking towards the bed.
Garrett didn't say anything in reply, merely smiling. Skye thought the smile looked a little forced, but she wasn't about to question it.
She set her garbage bag next to the dresser, but before she could open up the drawer Garrett stated that "We've already taken the liberty of buying you some new clothes. If you want, I can take those old things and throw them away for you?"
Skye didn't know how to feel. Is he gonna get mad if I want to keep my clothes? when she opened the drawer, she saw a multitude of pastel and preppy looking outfits. Definitely not my style. She looked at Garrett again, noticing that he had been watching her expectantly.
"No, that's okay. The nuns just gave me most of this, I wouldn't want it to go to waste." She forced a bit of a smile, and noticed that she got no smile in response. her heart started racing, but before long she just got a
"Ah, okay." Skye thought she could see hints of a frown, but he didn't insist. "Well, dinner will start shortly, if you'd like to join Katherine and I. After that, you will be expected to do the dishes. I'd also like to note that you will also be responsible for keeping your room clean. Just a few rules we have in place to help you integrate into the family." He smiled again, before heading for the door. "I'll see you downstairs in 30 minutes."
After he had left, Skye looked at the clothes in the drawers again. Is he going to be offended if I don't wear this* Her style had always been more on the edgy side, but maybe that just wouldn't fly here. If I'm gonna stay here, I should at least be grateful for what I'm given.
She sighed before crossing the room to sit on the bed. It wasn't uncomfortable, but she would be worried about accidentally ruining the pristine white comforter. After a few moments, she laid back, the business of the day getting to her. She hadn't intended to fall asleep, but she felt her eyelids droop and figured she would just close them for a few moments until dinner.
"Mary Sue! I won't be calling for you again!"
Skye shot up. Crap. what happened? She looked around, remembering she was at the Garrett's. Dinner. I'm late for dinner!
"Uh, Coming!" she croaked out, cringing a little at her tired sounding voice. she hurriedly brushed through her hair with her fingers to try and eliminate any traces of sleep before going downstairs and through the hall, where she assumed the kitchen was.
As she walked in she noticed Mrs. Garrett's smile become a bit more forced as she glanced over Skye's appearance. Do I look tired? Or maybe they were expecting me to change? she looked down at her black, long sleeved shirt and her holey jeans, internally cringing a little. Probably not in favor of the punk look. Noted.
"What a joy for you to be joining us, Mary. Though, I will expect you to come when called next time."
Skye merely nodded, not feeling like she should correct them on her name when she had already been late to dinner. She sat down at an empty chair, feeling the silence blanket her. She felt uneasy and out of place, though she wasn't quite sure why.
Dinner was started and finished in silence, and Skye began to pick up everyone's plates and take them to the sink.
"I signed you up at Lincoln High, the local school here. It's only a 15 minute walk, and I have to be at work, so the responsibility to get there will fall on your shoulders. I should let you know that bad grades won't fly in this house, and any trouble that results in disciplinary actions aren't acceptable either. Once you're finished with the dishes, you're dismissed to go upstairs and shower before bed so that you are ready for school in the morning. Lights out by 9:30."
"Yes, sir," Skye nodded while loading the dishes into the dishwasher. She figured that was fair, since they had given her such a nice place to stay and didn't seem like the type to push her around.
*maybe this place will be okay,* she thought, before walking back upstairs.
I am so sorry. I hope I didn't get your hopes up too much there with the Coulson chapter, but there are a few things I need to set up with Skye before she can land herself in a loving home. Don't hate me too much! As always, any reviews would be so deeply appreciated! Even if they're critiques! Thank you!
