Chapter 11
Sitting in class Mariana was trying her hardest to stay strong. Just stay strong. She kept reminding herself. She was still coming up with a plan to get in contact with Lena and Stef but have yet to figure out all of the details.
She was in her second period class and the teacher just assigned book work for them as he sat at his desk looking through his computer.
"Oh look, at the goody two shoes over there doing her work," She heard the kids in the back of the class making fun of her. No one in the class seemed to be taking their work seriously. They were all too busy talking and goofing around. The teacher just seemed to be ignoring them all. "Hey do you hear us talking to you?" One of the girls said. Mariana refused to turn around, just kept looking to her work. But then they started throwing paper balls at her and laughing.
Fighting the urge to show emotion, she packed up her stuff and walked up to the teacher's desk. "May I use the bathroom, please?"
"Oh May I use the bathroom." They continued to mock.
"Hey you guys knock it off and separate," the teacher yelled looking is if he didn't get paid enough to be there. "Why do you need all of you things to go to the bathroom? Leave your bag here".
Thinking on her feet, she lied, "I have girl problems I need to take care of. I need what's in my bag". Lucky for her she remembered over hearing the other girls from GU always talking. They used that excuse to get out of practically every class. This time was no different.
"Ok. Ok. Enough said. Just take the hall pass".
Quickly grabbing the pass, Mariana dashed out of the room. She made her way down the back stairwell and waited for the security guard to walk back the other way before slipping out the back door.
She took of running; as fast as her little legs could take her. She knew that she had a ways to go but if she could get just cover as much ground as she could then it wouldn't be as bad. She was afraid, that she couldn't hide. She has never been on her own on the street before. She wasn't quite sure where she was but she knew how to get where she was going. Lena use to always tell her to keep emergency money with her and to have a safe place in mind. Then of course after each little speech she received, Lena would give her money to hide away.
45 minutes and a taxi ride later Mariana arrived to Anchor Beach. Paying the very skeptical cab driver, she ran out straight to the school. It was 1 pm; meaning that Lena was on her off time. The time she usually spent with her. Heading straight to her classroom, Mariana could practically hear her heart beating. In fact it was the only noise she heard as she barged straight through Lena's room to find that no one was in there.
Looking around frantically, she tried to think of where else she might go. But there on the board was written Ms. Washington. They had a substitute that day and Lena wasn't even there. Ready to break down Mariana was starting to run out of ideas.
She had to think. It was already after 1 pm and she knew that she would not make it home in time. She knew that she would be getting in trouble if her new foster was to find out she cut school. So if she couldn't go to Lena then maybe Lena could come to her. She would just leave a note with the address on it.
Searching through Lena's drawers, trying to find a sticky to write on she came across something could come of use. It was Lena's planner. Mariana once saw her update a few of her contacts in there. She knew that Lena was never really that tech savvy and tried not to rely on cell phones too often. Flipping through, she saw a list with the very few people that she knew. Their names, phones numbers and addresses.
Entering the front office , Mariana was greeted by the receptionist. "Hello, Dear. What are you doing outside of class?" Relieved that she did not know that Mariana was no longer a student she faked some tears. "I need to call Rita, please". The secretary sighed as she looked to the young girl. "School is almost over honey. She will be here to pick you up shortly. Is this about Miss Adams not being here?"
"No! I need to talk to her now please". Giving up she handed Mariana the phone as she dialed the number written in Lena's planner.
"Rita, speaking".
"It's me Mariana!"
"Mariana? What are you doing there?"
"Rita, please come get me" This time the tears were real as Mariana broke down in the office. Afraid to let her leave the office distraught, the secretary let Mariana wait there for Rita, giving her water and a snack.
By the time that Rita arrived it was close to the last bell, so there was no need for Rita to sign her out. Lucky for them considering the secretary would then realize that Mariana wasn't supposed to be there to begin with.
As soon as they were outside, Mariana jumped into Rita's arms crying. "Mariana, what are you doing here? Does your foster parent know that you are here?"
"No. I'm supposed to be at school. But that school is terrible, Rita. And so is she. She locks me in the room at night. And her house is just so cold and lonely. She doesn't even know my name. Please, can't I just go back with you? Or can they just let me go with Lena and Stef. What happened to them?"
"It's complicated but they are working to get you back. That's why Lena isn't here. They are fighting for you as we speak. But you do know that I have to bring you back don't you?"
Looking down, Mariana did know that and but she couldn't help but be hopeful as her tears continued to shed.
Usually, when the girls use to use crying to get out of something it doesn't work on Rita. But Mariana honestly has been hitting a sweet spot.
"Come on. Let's go grab some food first". Mariana looked up giving a soft smile, following Rita to the car.
…
Lena and Stef stand up from their seats once they see Kelly walking back towards them. "Well?" Lena asked as Stef could already tell by Kelly's face that nothing has changed. "They say that the judge is still busy". She said wishing she had better news.
They have been sitting in that courthouse waiting for the judge for at least 4 hours now. They would wait out there the entire day if they had too, but they honestly didn't imagine that it would come down to that.
"I don't understand what is the hold up. He really can't spare a few moments?" Stef said as she began to pace back and forth. "This is honestly just ridiculous!" Lena said throwing her hands up, taking a seat once again. "Lena I know but…" Kelly began to trail off as she saw none other than Justina Marks leaving the judge's chambers. "In coming."
Realizing exactly who Kelly was talking about, Stef stood up, almost to protect Lena. "Well, look who we have here; Lena Adams". Justina stopped to give Lena a snobby once over. "Love what you've done with the hair".
"Do I know you?" Lena asked, standing to her feet. "No but I know you, and your house, and your bed".
"Well that is great. Clearly you don't know of any class. But I can give that to you as well," Lena responded with a smirk. Sending Justina's snarky smile into a scowl. "Hmm, Mase was right about you". But that is when Stef stopped in front of Lena and starred Justina down, with her intense no-more-bullshit glare. But Kelly, gently grabs her arm and reminds her that this definitely is not the right place.
"You really think that you are going to get that little girl. You were already foolish to believe that a little restraining order would keep things at bay". As Justina walked away, Stef and Lena looked to each other completely confused. "What restraining order?" Kelly asked.
…..
"Ok. Now remember what I said. No running off. You call for help before you run. Understood?" Rita stooped down to Mariana's level to look into her glossy eyes. "Things will work out. You are smart, and brave. Remember no matter what you can always call me". Softly smiling, Mariana nodded her head as tears began to fall. "Ok now give me a hug kid" Rita said with a cracked voice. Mariana gave her the tightest, longest hug that she could before knocking on the door.
After a moment the door swung open, and there stood the woman that Mariana still has yet to learn her name. "Where have you been? You were supposed to be here over an hour ago.".
"Sorry that was my fault. I saw Mariana after school when picking up one of my other girls. I took her out to grab a bite to eat. I use to take care of her before she came here and…"
"Well that''s nice. But she is in my care now". Grabbing Mariana by the arm, she pulled her inside and slammed the door.
The woman turned the young girl, "Nice story. But the school called and said that you left before lunch. So since you want to act like a criminal then you will be treated like one". She dragged Mariana all of the way up the stairs by her arm gripping so tight Mariana just knew that she would bruise. Flinging her into the room she said, "Now there's a bathroom for you. And that's all you need. I told the school that you were sick so they won't be expecting you this week. The time you spend in here should be enough for you to think about how you are to act moving forward". With that she quickly closed the door and locked. it.
Panic set in as Mariana realized what just happened. She began to bang and kick on the door. "Wait! You can't just leave me in here! Let me out! Please! Let me out!"
…
"Ok so you all need to see me about something" Judge Peterson said as he stepped around to his desk, taking the folder from Kelly. "Yes your honor we are here for the approved adoption of Mariana Gutierrez".
The judge barely looked at the folder holding all of their documents and letters that they gathered. He barely even looked at them. "Oh yes. I know about this. Your request is denied".