The bright sunlight through the crack in the curtains is what wakes me up. I roll over to one side and automatically check my phone for the time. It's half seven. Why do I always wake up so early on a Sunday? When I was younger we used to have to wake up at half five to help Niall with the horses. Niall's my oldest brother. He's 26 now and, when I was 10, I couldn't understand why the social wouldn't let me live with him. But I know the answer now. It wasn't the social, it was him. He said no, said he needed his own space without his little sister getting in the way. I've never quite forgiven him for that. I kick the duvet to the end of the bed and stretch out my arms. I'm never going to get back to sleep now, I might as well get up and get dressed. I had a shower and washed my hair yesterday so I should be okay with just deodorant today. Besides, I don't really want to go down to the bathroom where someone like Elektra, Johnny or Carmen could be. I don't think I can take any more of their rubbish. So I tie my rainbow coloured hair in a fish tail braid on one side of my head and brush my fringe straight. I slip on a black crop top with the words "I'd rather wear a daisy chain in my hair than diamonds round my neck" surrounded by a picture of a daisy chain. Finally I pull on a pair of high waisted, blue tie dye shorts and that's when there's a knock at the door, "Yeah?" I shout in the direction of the door. I'm expecting it to be Rick forgotten something, or maybe even Tyler. I'm not expecting the person who opens the door and walks in, "We read your file. That's how we knew about you," I don't turn around. I can see who it is in the small mirror. Carmen, "Why did you do that?" I ask quietly, still not turning around,
"We wanted to know who you were," I almost laugh at how pathetic she sounds,
"And do you know now? Now that you know that my mum doesn't care a jot about me, my brothers abandoned me and that I'm a traveller. Did that tell you anything about me?" I turn around finally and glare at her, making my usually sparkly blue eyes go cold. She looks at the floor sheepishly, "No. It told you the bad things that have happened to me, not who I am. That's what's important,"
"I'm sorry,"
"Yeah me too," I grab my rucksack and push past Carmen leaving her standing in Rick's room not knowing what to say or do next. To be honest I don't know what to do either. At Burneywood it was simple. You looked after yourself unless you made some sort of alliance like me, Tyler and Rick did. Here everyone seems to like everyone, except me. That's why I can't stay. I half run, half walk down the hall and through the door at the end, "Caoilainn what the hell?!"
"Tyler I can't stay here,"
"What are you talking about?" Tyler asks sitting up and rubbing his eyes, adjusting to the bright light of the day, "It's different here, nicer. You're lucky, but I've got to go ok?"
"Kee, don't go please,"
"Sorry. I messed up by coming to find you in the first place,"
"Wait, you didn't come here by accident? You were looking for us?" I nod slowly,
"I thought this place was maybe as bad as Burneywood, but I guess I was wrong,"
"No!" Tyler yells at me as I start to leave. Rick starts to stir,
"Shh!" I hiss back,
"Please don't go," He says helplessly, "You're like my big sister," he sighs,
"Bye Tyler," I swing my rucksack over my shoulder and shut the door behind me. It's still early so I manage to get out through the kitchen door. Now I'm free. I'll find James, the boy who helped me out when I was on the streets. It shouldn't be too hard as long as he hasn't gone anyway. I remember now. He was taking his group up north, but that's not until March. They should still be under the bridge in London. London's a long way away though. It will take me a couple of days, maybe even a week, on foot, but I can always try hitchhiking. It never really worked for me before, but, hey, everything's changing. I find a group of homeless people under one of the bridges in town. There's large puddles of water from the rain and two train tracks running straight through the middle with camp fires and all sorts built around. A small amount of people look up as I walk slowly down under the bridge, carefully avoiding the puddles of water and the train tracks. I don't know if they're in use or not, but better safe than sorry. The people who do look up are surprised to see me. You don't normally get young girls rocking up in converses, shorts and a t-shirt, I should know. I raise my hands slightly in defence to show I don't mean any harm, "Hi," I smile. A young man steps forward towards me and looks me up and down, "Who are you?" A fair enough question,
"My names Jessica," I lie. It's the alias I always use on the street. You can't go telling people your real name. Somehow the police will find out and then they send you back to where you came from. Unless you didn't come from anywhere. Then they don't wanna know, "Have you run away?" His questions are forward and to the point,
"Yes,"
"You can't stay here. What about your parents?"
"I'm in care," I say. He narrows his eyes at me then sighs,
"Guys this is Jessica, be nice," he turns around and says to the other people here,
"And who are you?"
"David," he winks slightly. He knows I know that's just an alias. He looks more like a Dan to me, "You hungry, Jessica?" He asks, almost taunting me but nothing so horrible,
"Oh please, call me Jessie," I reply sarcastically, quick as a flash,
"Alright," David grins, "Jessie,"
"So are you the leader here then or something?" I ask, fiddling with a piece of rope attached to one of the big metal barrels, "What are we, a gang of criminals?" He laughs, "Don't answer that one. No I'm not the leader, Jess. I'm the youngest here, well until you pitched up,"
"You just seem to keep everyone in line, that's all,"
"If I didn't nobody would," He leans forward and then whispers, "If you ask me half the people here are either pyromaniacs or crazy, but then who am I to judge?"
"How old are you David?" I ask out of curiosity,
"I'm 17. Your turn,"
"14. Nearly 15,"
"Really? I thought you'd be younger," he tries, and fails, to hide his surprise, "Got anyone looking for you?" I don't know if it's coincidence or pure irony, but that exact moment I hear a familiar voice shout, "Caoilainn!" I turn quickly, my hair falling over my face as I do so and see Rick, of course it's Rick who else, "Damn it," I barely have time to pick up my rucksack before I have to start running, my blue converses splashing in the deep muddy puddles scattered across the concrete floor. Ricks at the other end of the bridge, about 10 metres behind me, and I'm a fast runner. Much faster than him anyhow. I definitely don't expect to be grabbed from the side by none other than the girl who called me a pikey just the day before, "You're not going anywhere," she mumbles, keeping her grip tight around my waist as I try to struggle away until Rick catches up with us, "Out of breath?" I taunt,
"Don't run away again," he says strictly,
"You're not my dad,"
"So why do I always have to act like I am?! Bail you out of trouble all the time!" I blink in surprise and step back a little, "Rick, I-"
"No, shut up Caoilainn. What about Tyler?!" He sighs then whispers, "What about me?"
"But that's why I left London," I try to explain when a bigger question pops into my mind, "How'd you find me?"
"Take a wild guess,"
"Tyler...What happened?"
"Well basically I woke up really early and Tyler was being all weird, not telling a stupid joke or pulling a rubbish prank like he normally is. Took a while to get it out of him, but he was pretty upset," I'm supposed to feel guilty and I do. I never wanted to hurt Tyler, but I did. Twice, "So what about you?" I turn to Elektra who is still holding onto me tight, "Why do you care?"
"We got off on the wrong foot,"
"You think?" I scoff,
"Ricks a mate. You help your mates," Then she smiles. She's actually quite pretty when she's not scowling at people, "Forgive me?"
"Yeah," I nod. It's easier to let things go sometimes, rather than kick up a big fuss. I stick my right hand out, "Friends?" Elektra pauses for a moment, looking at my hand, "Friends," she agrees, shaking it.