Happy Saturday, my lovelies! My internet hasn't been shut off yet, but I feel like it's coming any day now and I'm trying my best to prepare for it. And by that, I mean I've just been scrolling aimlessly through Twitter and Tumblr in between writing. When it does happen, at least I'll have my phone and video games. Anyway, this chapter isn't really much. Just a bit of backstory with a small twist. Hopefully you lovely people enjoy! ~Shaymie

Lorin's POV

I clutched my notebook tightly to my chest and frowned as my social worker practically dragged me to the house. Ms. Jones was nice, but she tended to be too… optimistic. She'd spent the entire car ride rambling on about how "nice" the Washingtons were and how much I'd like living here. If I had my choice, I'd go back to Texas and move in with Darcy. Sure, her father hated me, but at least I wouldn't be living with complete strangers.

I dragged my luggage behind me and tapped my foot anxiously as Ms. Jones knocked on the door. It opened only seconds later. I took in a sharp breath as I walked into the house. Breathe, Lorin. These people probably wouldn't hurt me. Probably. Just because the Jacksons had been a terrible family (with the exception of one member) didn't mean that every family was like that.

My gaze stayed locked to the ground as Ms. Jones introduced me to the Washingtons. Eye contact was never my forte. I sat down on the couch and fidgeted with the end of my braid. I shouldn't be this nervous about being with a new family, but I couldn't help it. When I was with my parents, I at least knew where I fit into the equation. Same with the Jacksons. Here, I didn't have a clue on what to do. Mr. Washington was a politician, so surely he wouldn't… couldn't do anything bad to me. It would ruin his reputation.

Ms. Jones left after about half an hour with a promise that she would check on me soon. It took everything in my power to not roll my eyes. She had told me that she would check on me when I moved in with the Jacksons, but that turned out to be a big lie. I didn't mind that she had more kids to worry about. They were probably worse off than me. I just hated being lied to. If she couldn't check on me, she shouldn't lead me on and say that she could.

Mr. and Mrs. Washington-George and Martha, they said I could call them- thankfully left me alone once they led me to my room. I quietly unpacked my things. There wasn't much. Just some clothes and books that the Jackson's daughter had gifted me. I frowned at the thought of Mandy. I missed her. She was the closest thing I had to an older sister, considering Darcy was back in Texas. Part of me wishes that she could have come here with me, but she had her mother. Her mother who hated me and gave me up. I tried to not think about how this was the second time this had happened in my life.

I stayed in my room for hours, practicing speaking in front of my new foster family. If I was going to live with them, I couldn't freeze up whenever they addressed me. They were probably going to regret taking me in. Maybe they had only done it to make themselves look better. I was an anxious, unwanted mess. I was too high-maintenance. My own mother hadn't wanted to deal with me.

I took a deep breath as Martha called me downstairs for dinner. Here goes nothing. I grabbed my notebook just in case I couldn't speak after all and made my way downstairs. I flinched as I bumped into someone on the stairs and looked up at them. Him. This must be my new foster brother. He was tall and lanky, with his insanely puffy hair tied back into a bun. His face lit up as he looked down at me.

"There she is! You are like un papillon tacheté!" His French accent threw me off. He chuckled at my perplexed expression. I frowned. Was that… a good thing? Or did he just insult me to my face. "My name is… Well, to be quite honest, it's a mouthful. You can call me Gilbert. Or Lafayette."

"I-I'm Lorin," I stammered, my face growing hot. I squeaked as he pulled me into a tight hug. I wasn't expecting that. At least I could talk to him. Some of my anxiety melted away, but it came back full force when he started to lead me downstairs. I squeezed my notebook and gave myself a pep talk. I could to this. All I had to do was open my mouth and talk to George and Martha. And it was dinner. There probably wouldn't be much talking anyway.

"If you don't mind my asking, how old are you? George and Martha didn't tell me much about you." Gilbert tucked a stray curl behind his ear and smiled at me. For some reason, I instantly trusted him. He was like an open book. I could tell that he wasn't hiding anything, that he was actually excited to have me around.

"I'm thirteen."

I was woken up from my dream by a nurse, who was holding out a paper cup and a small assortment of pills. I sighed and downed the medicine quickly. I wish I didn't have to be woken up in the middle of the night for my antibiotics. I was always tired nowadays. Physical therapy was exhausting. I had to basically learn how to walk again and build my muscle strength back up. At the very least, I was able to hold things again. But my legs would take a bit more work.

"I'm sorry for waking you up so early," the nurse said as she took the cup back. She tucked some hair behind her ear and smiled nervously. Something about that smile seemed familiar, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

"It's fine. It's your job, isn't it?" I looked up at the nurse and smiled back at her. I'd once had dreams of being a nurse, when I was younger. But then I realized that I wouldn't be of much use as a nurse. I couldn't stand the sight of blood and I got nervous far too easily. I wasn't entirely sure what I even wanted to do with my life. I knew I wanted to do something that helped people, but that would be pretty much impossible if I couldn't talk to people.

"Technically, it's not my job yet. I'm just an intern. I'm, um… studying medicine. I'm not an actual doctor yet. I'm far from it." I stared up at her, trying to remember where I'd seen her before. Surely I couldn't have gone to school with her. She was probably too old for that. I didn't get out of the house much, so it wasn't like there were that many people that I knew. My social circle pretty much included my friends and family.

Family…

A girl, a few years older than me. She was pretty. I'd always envied the way her skin was free from any blemishes. She didn't have disgusting freckles covering her face. Her hair was auburn and cascaded onto her shoulders in beautiful waves. And her eyes… They had been the most beautiful shade of blue. I was always flustered when she'd catch me looking at her, but I couldn't help it. She was one of the most beautiful girls I had ever met.

She had given me a kiss before I left, saying that she wanted my first kiss to be from someone who loved me. I didn't bother telling her that I'd already been kissed several times before, by my mother's boyfriends. I didn't consider those real kisses. Her lips had been soft and plump against mine, and she'd been so close I could smell her coconut shampoo. The kiss lasted for only a few seconds, but it felt like an eternity. Despite the bleakness of my situation, I couldn't help but smile just a little bit, my face growing hot. And then, all too soon, we were separated.

"Mandy."