Chapter Two
Deerfield, IL
Why couldn't life be like her books?
Kayla had read through most of the works of fiction they had in the small library at the Group Home, each one nicely concluded with a typical happy ending. Kayla loved reading about them, but she often wondered where her happy ending was, if there ever would be one.
She was 16 years old, living in the State Group Home in Deerfield, Illinois. She'd been there for a few years now, and was just as miserable there as she had been at the last group home she'd been at.
Sighing, she placed her bookmark in Pride and Prejudice, and placed the book on her nightstand. She pulled back her covers mechanically, thinking about her day. Another bad day, she reflected. What else was new on days like these? It was the weekend, which meant another Open Dorm Day. God, Kayla hated them. It was the one day of the week when couples came to discuss with their social workers possibilities for foster placement. Today was the same as every other week since Kayla had been here. Many girls got placed. Many girls were moving away next week. But once again, Kayla had not been placed.
It was because Kayla was different.
Kayla didn't like it, but she had come to accept the fact that nobody wanted her. She knew the reason, too, that didn't mean she had to like it. Why should she be punished for something she couldn't control? She wasn't in control of it, but it scared people. She didn't blame them. It scared her, and the worst part was that she didn't remember any of it, after it was over. All she ever remembered was the flashes. Flashes of green light. She didn't know what any of it meant. She just assumed it was part of the "condition" nobody could figure out.
She only knew what her doctors told her. They called it a form of epilepsy, but not like any other case they've ever seen before. It was no wonder nobody wanted her. She was a freak of nature.
It was bad enough the couples who came to visit wanted nothing to do with her, but what made it worse was the constant teasing she endured throughout the week by the rest of the girls at the Home. She had no friends, it wasn't like that was new for her. She had a hard time keeping friends after they knew about her problem, but here, it was worse than just being lonely. It was the constant tormenting from her peers that kept Kayla so reserved and withdrawn. She'd been called everything from "Twilight Zone" to the "Creature of the Black Lagoon." It was obvious to Kayla. She was considered a freak.
Kayla got under her covers and grabbed Pride and Prejudice again, pretending that she was Elizabeth Bennett. She had a family, sisters who loved her, and best of all, a man who eventually married her because he saw her as his soul mate. Why couldn't life be like her books?
"Reynolds!" Kayla jumped and looked up. It was her three roommates, Britt, Taylor and Carrie. They were the worst of the girls here, and Kayla had to live in the same room as them. Kayla had tried to fight to get her own room, but the social workers thought it would be best if she was integrated with other girls her own age, to try and force her to be more social.
"What?" Kayla asked, putting her book down. She tried to keep herself reserved, she knew even a simple tone of voice could set these girls off. Kayla just kept quiet 90% of the time.
"Terri wants you." Britt said, as she and her friends came in and started putting on their pajamas. "She told us to tell you to get your butt down to her office." Carrie and Taylor laughed. Kayla got up and put on her slippers.
"Honestly, why do we have to share a room with her anyway?" Carrie asked, as though Kayla wasn't standing right there.
"I don't know, but it's annoying as hell. This room would be perfect if it wasn't tainted by the presence of a freak." Taylor replied. Britt laughed.
"It's okay guys, she won't be here much longer. Pretty soon they'll realize nobody wants her and they'll send her to another home again." She said. Kayla pretended she didn't hear them as she left her room and headed down to the offices. Don't listen to them. Don't listen to them. She told herself. Who was she kidding? She couldn't ignore it, no matter how hard she tried.
The sound of distant laughter following her, Kayla made her way down to the offices where her social worker, Terri, was apparently waiting for her.
Terri Secreast was Kayla's social worker. Actually, she was responsible for all the girls' whose last names fell between N and S. Kayla hardly talked to her, there really wasn't any need to. Terri spent most of her time talking to the girls who were getting placed in homes. Terri only ever talked to Kayla when it was time to see the doctor again, or if she thought something was seriously wrong. Kayla wondered what it would be this time.
She knocked quietly on the door and heard Terri yell "come in." Kayla entered and there was Terri, just getting off the phone. Kayla sat down and looked around at the familiar surroundings. Photographs of Terri's family were all over the office. Her husband John, and her three kids, Stephanie, Joey and Peter, all with the same head of blonde hair their mother had. So far, only Stephanie had needed glasses, inheriting her mother's bad eyesight. Kayla sighed. Was Terri trying to rub it in? It wasn't very sensitive, with a Home filled mostly of orphans. Nobody had the guts to say anything to her though.
Kayla pulled on the edge of her sleeve while she waited for Terri to be finished. She noticed the pile of folders on Terri's desk. The files of all the girls who had been placed today. Terri was obviously finalizing the placements. Kayla felt like she was being tortured. God Terri, hurry the hell up.
"Kayla, sorry about that, I didn't expect you to come down so fast." Terri said as she hung up the phone. Kayla shrugged casually, internalizing once again. Terri looked at Kayla seriously, but Kayla didn't look up, she never did, but she could feel Terri's glare.
"How are you doing, Kay?" Terri asked. Kayla shrugged. Was that why Terri brought her down here? To see if she was okay? What did she think? This was only like the five-hundredth time she'd been rejected for foster placement.
"Why'd you stay in your room all day, Kay? You know we encourage being a little more social. That's how you meet our clients, you know? That's how you get placed." Terri pointed out. Kayla shrugged once again. She didn't say anything. Why should she? Didn't Terri know anything? Even if she had been out socializing, like she had in the past, the couples who may have been interested would quickly say no once they saw her medical records, just as they always had in the past. Why should it be any different this time? She thought it would just be better if she stayed in her room.
"Come on, Kay, you do want to be placed, don't ya? You could try a little harder." Terri said. Kayla's eyes shot up and stared at Terri coldly. That was it!
"Try a little harder? Are you kidding me? You know how many times I've been rejected! It's not like anybody wants me anyway, so it's better for me just to stay in my room, and do something constructive!" She yelled.
"Kay!" Terri warned.
"I've been in this stupid system for 16 years! Everyone else here has only been in the system for a few years or so. They only have to wait a few years, well I've been waiting my whole life! God, even the one time I was placed, I was there for, what, a week before they realized the freak I was and sent me back! I'm not stupid, Terri! There isn't any hope for me, I've accepted it, it's okay! Just don't tell me to try harder!" Kayla said.
Terri stared at her in surprise. Kayla hardly ever talked, and the few times she did, they were usually outbursts like this, but for the most part, nobody ever heard Kayla speak out. Terri never took lip from any of her girls, but she couldn't justify yelling at Kayla for the outburst. She knew how hard it must be for Kayla. Terri breathed out.
"Kayla, I know it's hard. I'm sorry." Terri knew she should change the topic quickly. This obviously wasn't working. "Have you...had anymore...episodes lately?"
That was a topic that needed careful consideration as well. Kayla was sensitive about her disorder, if that was what you could call it. Kayla simply shook her head.
"Why does it even matter?" She asked.
"Kayla, I asked you a question." Terri replied, a little impatiently. Kayla didn't say anything, but Terri knew there were more episodes. Otherwise Kayla would just tell her there weren't any. Terri sighed.
"Maybe you should see the doctor again. Don't look at me like that, Kayla. Nothing bad's gonna happen. They'll probably just try a new medicine. It might work this time." She said, trying to be optimistic. Who was she kidding, though? Nobody knew what was wrong with Kayla. Not even the doctor.
Kayla shook her head and stared at Terri seriously.
"Terri, what if it's not something that can be fixed with medication? What if it's something else?" She asked. Terri stared at her and shook her head.
"Don't be ridiculous, Kayla. And don't be so pessimistic, either. The doctors'll figure it out some day, and then you'll be fine." She said, as she stood up. "You'd better get to bed. You have class in the morning."
Kayla sighed and turned to go, but as she walked away, she felt Terri grab a hold of her arm and pull her back. Kayla gasped as she turned around, and saw Terri staring at Kayla's wrist. Kayla swallowed, as Terri found her eyes.
"What is this, Kayla?" Terri asked her seriously, as she pointed out the straight thin cut on Kayla's wrist. Kayla looked at Terri again.
"It was Mischief." She replied, referring to the Group Home's cat. Terri didn't let go of Kayla's arm as she stared at her. Kayla didn't move.
"Are you sure, Kayla?" Terri asked. Kayla nodded.
"Yeah, I'm sure. Stupid thing." She replied. Terri hesitated for a moment, but finally let Kayla go. Kayla took off, and as Terri sat down at her desk, she knew that cut hadn't been caused by the cat at all.
