Charlie never stood out, but at the same time never fit in. She knew it since she was 5 years old. She knew she wasn't made to stand out and different. But having a junkie mom didn't allow her to fit in. She kinda just existed floating through some weird time space continuum, waiting for her eventual demise. Or maybe she watched too many sci fi movies.
"Hey we aren't leaving you because we don't love you," Elizabeth explained.
"I just got laid off and I can't afford your insulin anymore," Andy said.
"Alright I'll be packed and ready by tomorrow morning," Charlie said getting up off the little bench.
She was used to this, getting dumped when every parents got sick of her. She knew what they said was a lie, they get enough money in their paychecks for Charlie to afford insulin. And Charlie has insurance, but it was fine, a horrible lie, but fine none the less.
"Hey Charlie," Becky pulled up in her green Kia Soul.
"Hello Rebecca," Charlie groaned.
She'd known Becky since she was 6, when her grandmother gave her to the state. She was like a surrogate aunt to Charlie, she tried to adopt her once but they wouldn't let her since she was single or something. She almost got fired because of it, she went to the office and cursed out her manager over it.
"Always so sweet," Becky smiled, grabbing her suitcase.
"So back to residential," Charlie wondered, as she got into the car?
"No, a girl took your spot while you where gone, you're going to an emergency placement," Becky told her, getting into the car.
"Alright then can you tell me about these people," Charlie asked ?
"You know I can't do that," Becky sighed buckling in.
"Why, you normally do that," Charlie questioned?
"Because I don't even know anything about them I was just give an address," Becky put in address in the gps.
"I know we have that deal about being blunt and all but sometimes it's ok to lie to me," Charlie said, worried wondering what they'd be like.
"It's fine you'll be ok from what I do know they're doctors but that all I know," Becky pulled out of the drive way.
"You sure they're doctor doctors, and not like voodoo doctors or psychiatrists," Charlie asked?
"No, and psychiatrists are doctor," Becky said.
"Ok, but are they," Charlie started.
"Ask another question and I'll make you walk," Becky turned her head to say., Charlie knew she was joking but geez.
"Okay," Charlie but her hand up in defeat sitting back in the seat.
"You taking me to the hospital," Charlie asked?
"No I'm taking you to the apartments across the street, the apartment parking lot is full," Becky explained. "Alright get out kiddo," Becky put the car in park.
"So they must have some money," Charlie grabbed her suitcase this time.
"See not voodoo doctors," Becky laughed.
"Voodoo doctors can have money," Charlie said as she stepped into the building. The lobby had an industrial feeling to it.
"They're on the fifth floor," Becky went over to the elevator. "Don't be nervous and try not to become recluse and close them out, they could be the one," Becky said
"Yeah I doubt that," Charlie sighed.
"Cheer up," Becky said as the elevator dinged.
"Why can't I stay with you," Charlie asked?
"We've already been through this," Becky sighed
"Just marry someone adopt me then get divorced they can't take me away once I'm adopted," Charlie said as she got off the elevator.
"They'll know I tricked them then fire me and we'll be homeless and they'll take you away again," Becky said
"You're right," Charlie sighed.
Becky knocked on the door and a man answered. Charlie tensed up, shutting her jaw tight. Becky sensed her nervousness and put a hand on her shoulder.
"You're not Dr Torres or Dr Robbins," Becky asked?
"Um no I'm not Dr Robbins is picking up Sofia from school, and Dr Torres got pull into emergency surgery so they asked me to come. Dr Mark Sloan by the way," He stuck his hand out.
"Nice to meet you Dr Sloan," Becky shook his hand. " But by law I can't leave her in your care," Becky smiled.
"Alright just one second," Dr Sloan said, pulling out his phone.
"Robbins you're on speaker the case worker is here," He spoke out loud, leaning in the door way.
"Well let them in," Dr Robbins demanded over the phone.
"I tried they won't come in with out you or Callie being here," he said into the speaker.
"Let them know I'll be there in ten," She sighed.
"You're on speaker Dr Robbins," Becky announced.
"Oh, I'm so sorry about all of this, my wife was supposed to be there but she got pulled into emergency surgery," the women explained.
"I understand, we can talk more in person," Becky said
"Of course," Robbins said before hanging up.
"So do you want to come in now," He asked?
"Sure," Becky said ushering Charlie in.
"So what do you do for living," Becky asked trying to make conversation.
"Well I'm a plastic surgeon and an ent," Mark said fixing pillows on the couch. "Please sit," He said.
"So what's you're name," He asked Charlie. She avoided his eyes.
"Her names Charlie," Becky answered for her.
"Well Charlie I live next door, I'm Sofias dad so you'll see me a lot," He explained.
Charlie looked over at Becky with fear in her eyes.
"He doesn't live here, he lives across the hall," Becky whispered.
Charlie knew her fear of men was irrational and she'd have to get over it someday but it was real and true to her.
"I am so sorry, about that," a voice appeared as the door came open. A blonde women with a young girl appeared. "My dad said to be on time is to be late so I try to be early but with surgeons you can't never be quite sure," she said getting closer to the two. " Arizona Robbins," she reached her hand out and becky took it.
"Daddy," The younger girl ran over.
"Hey munchkin, I think you're a bit to old for pick ups," Mark joked.
"Never," she laughed.
"Um here's Charlie's file please read over it as soon as possible, here's her meds they need be refrigerated but I'm sure you know that. And if you'd just show me her room I'll be on my way. I got a chance to look around before you came," Becky said.
"Alright right this way, this used to be office where still decorating it so it's a bit plain right now," Dr robbins explained.
"Oh it's ok," becky grabbed the suitcase ready to follow dr robbins.
"So what's your name," The girl asked but Charlie couldn't speak her mouth was too dry.
"Why doesn't she speak daddy," The girl asked?
"Do you remember your first day of school and how scared you where, well she's scared to so she might not talk to us right now," Dr Sloan explained.
"My names Sofia and I'm seven my mommy only has one leg," Sofia said amd it made Charlie laugh.
"It's true so you shouldn't laugh," Sofia said.
"Well that's it so I'm going to be on my," Becky said. "Hug for the road," Becky stretched out her arms "this is only temporary I'll see you in a week you're okay and you have my number so use it if you need to," Becky said hugging her for a few more seconds. "Alright, see you later," Becky said leaving.
"So you want to see your new room," Dr robbins asked?
"Sofia how about you show her to her new room," She suggested.
"Okay mommy," Sofia said leaving her daddy's side.
"Hey," Sofia said making her way to Charlie.
"Hi," Charlie whispered.
"What's you're name," Sofia asked as they walked.
"Charlie," She answered.
"Well Charlie this is your room," Sofia said. "It's kinda plain, my room has Barbie's and stuffed animals wanna see," Sofia asked?
"Sure," Charlie said.
"Okay so this is my room, normally zola plays with me, but I guess you can play too if you want," Sofia told her.
"Sure," Charlie said sitting down on the carpet.
They play for around an hour before Dr. Robbins interrupted them.
"Hey Charlie, I went your room but I see Ms Sofia tricked you into paying with her," dr robbins stood in the doorway, looking at the Barbie in Charlie's hand.
"I didn't trick her mommy, she said she wanted to," Sofia turned around, with a Barbie as well.
"Alright, how about I take charlie for a bit then you play later,"dr robbins looked at Charlie to see if it was okay.
"No, I really like playing with here," Sofia whined.
"She'll come back," Dr robbins said.
"Please ," Sofia begged.
"How about I play with you too before dinner," Dr. robbins offered.
"Okay," Sofia agreed and went back to playing.
"Charlie why we go to the kitchen," Dr. robbins got up of the ground and Charlie followed her.
"I see Ms Sofia already like you," she said as they went to the kitchen.
"So not much of a talker," She said getting two glasses.
"I though we could get to know each other over a glass of lemonade," she said as grabbed the lemonade from the fridge.
"Well my name is Charlie Perez, I'm 16 and I have clinic depression," Charlie stared at the cups watching her pour the drinks.
"I know I read that in your file,I was think more long the lines of what do you like to do for fun or what interest you," dr robbins said putting the glass away.
"I used to paint, but I quit. I like anatomy and biology," She whispered.
"Well, we will take that into account when we go looking for a school. Do you still like to paint," dr robbins asked bringing the glass to her mouth.
"Umm, yeah but I don't have money to buy supplies," Charlie lied.
"I could always buy some for you," Dr robbins offered.
"You don't have to do that," Charlie started fidgeting with her hands underneath the table.
"I insist," Dr robbins said before eyeing the untouched glass. "I poured the extra cup for you," she pushed it towards Charlie.
"Um, I'm a little tired, sorry. I think I'm gonna go to sleep if that's ok," Charlie said getting out of the chair.
"Sure you don't have to ask to go to sleep," Dr robbins said.
She went to the room shed temporarily call hers. She was used to moving from place to place, never able to leave a lasting impression on people. But she always remembered them. She remembered their broken promises of a happy home, and food and protection. She remembered the smell of coffe filling the canteen at the residential center. She remembered almost everything, even the things she didn't want to remember, like the bathroom where her baby sister drown. And the bedroom where her mom overdosed. And the living room where her dad killed himself. She remembered her nanas house, And her foster home. Yet she never could remember the happy stuff.
She opened her eyes to find eyes staring back at her. In a normal situation she would scream, but she knew these ones wouldn't harm her.
"You look dead," Sofia said.
Well gee Sofia you look beautiful too she thought to herself as she rubbed her eyes.
"Mommy said to wake you up for dinner," Sofia said still staring as Charlie sat up.
"If she's not awake then I'll just wake her up later Sofia," she heard dr Robbin for her room.
"Oops," Sofia shrugged before turning to the door. "She's awake," Sofia yelled out the door.
Charlie ignored it getting up and leaving the room.
"Good even Charlie," Dr robbins turned around from the stove. "I'm just plating the food now," She explained.
Charlie stood next to the tabled eyeing the food sat in front of her.
"Don't worry I didn't cook my wife did but she had to run back to the hospital," She joked but Charlie still looked concerned.
"It's good I promise," Sofia said sitting in the chair next to where Charlie stood.
"You can sit down Charlie," Arizona gave a small smile.
Charlie knew it was a pity smile, an oh you where abused smile. But the thing is in residential shed just eat in her room and return her plates back thats why she stood up.
"Oh I was wondering if I could eat in my room,". Charlie asked?
"Um, normally we eat as a family."
"Cool, so can I eat in my room please?"
"You're apart of the family now," Arizona smiled.
"Nice," Charlie pressed her lips to frown as she took her seat.
This is going to be awkward she thought to herself.
Dinner wasn't that bad though Arizona would ask Charlie question and she give one word answers or nod her head. After the fourth question dr robbins got to memo but Sofia didn't. But Charlie didn't mind Sofia.
"Do you need help with the dishes dr robbins," Charlie asked?
"Oh you don't have to call me Dr Robbin."
"Ok, need help though," Charlie asked?
"No I'm good you go get some uninterrupted rest," Mrs Robbins said.
She pulled out her phone once she knew everyone was sleep,texting her cousin.
[char]
pick me up in ten
Locations sent
[tez]
Be outside when I get there
ok
she threw on the first pair of shoes she saw and grabbed her stash of money. And left using the front door, it help that Mrs robbins slept like a dead man.
"Hey tez," She smiled at him.
"Shut up, get in," He gritted through his teeth.
She hopped in his 2006 silver impala that smelled like weed and Calvin Klein cologne.
"Where have you been," Cortez asked?
"After I left I was in Tacoma then Spokane," Charlie tried to explain.
"I thought you where dead why didn't call or text?"
"I don't know."
"You're the close thing I have to a sibling, you're the only thing I have left."
"Tia Nina died too," Charlie started to tear up.
"No, sorry, she just don't talk no more," He explained.
"Sorry?"
"You can't do that shit again, okay?"
"I'm sorry."
"Do you know I had to ask your social worker if you where still alive."
"I said sorry."
"You can't go awol anymore," Cortez yelled.
"I won't, it just I was in a different city."
"That don't mean you can't text me."
"I know it was just too hard to talk to you after what happened."
"Imagine how I felt my little cousin left, and my moms won't even look at me."
"I'm so sorry," Charlie began to cry.
"I know, come here," Cortez opened his arms for a hug.
they sat in silence as the ran outside began to let up.
"So, what you been up too," Cortez asked once she let go?
"No shit, just been chilling," Charlie said as she buckled in.
"Go in the glove box and light the roach," Cortez instructed.
"Still smoking roach yiu grown now," Charlie teased.
"Shut up," Cortez wiped away a tear he didn't even know he had.
Charlie did just that careful not to burn her hands on the short blunt.
"you need to get yo ass a roach holder, cuz you love to smoke the blunt till the whole thing gone," Charlie complained passing it over to him.
"You ain't smoking it I just asked you to light it," Cortez said as he took the blunt.
"Shut up," Charlie smacked her lips.
Cortez was her cousin, her auntie Nina kept her for a few months a while back and her and her cousin got close then.
"You tryna chill at mine," Cortez asked taking a long inhale.
"Yeah, but take me to the store first," Charlie said,
"Alright," Cortez said making a quick right and turning up the radio.
They pulled up to the corner store with a man sitting out side cross cross on the curb in front of the store.
"Dios los bendiga," Charlie said handing him a dollar.
"Julio, I'm back," Charlie shouted.
"Charlie is that you?"The big man asked from behind the counter.
"You know it," Charlie said.
The man came from behind the glass and gave her a hug.
"I missed you it be boring round here without you," Julio exclaimed!
"I know," Charlie smacked her lips once he put her down.
"Cortez almost went crazy without you."
"I know," Charlie looked down at her hands.
"So you staying round here," Julio asked going back behind the counter,
"Nope, I moved on up, I'm staying with some rich lesbian doctors," Charlie explained.
"Nice, what can I get you tonight," Julio asked?
"Let me get the honey fusion dutches, a lighter and," Charlie turned around looking at the wide array of snack grabbing two honey buns and a bag of Cheetos, and a clear fruit. "And these," Charlie set them on the counter.
"No Lost Mary," Julio asked ringing her up?
"You know what let me get it the watermelon one,"She said, Charlie was trying to quit but she a traumatized child she gets a pass.
"Alright 26 dollars ," Julio said, swiping his card.
"I was going to pay for that."
"Come work for me, that's how you can pay me back."
"I'll see what I can do," Charlie grabbed the bag and left the store.
"Julio happy to see you," Cortez asked once she got into the car?
"Yea he picked me up and payed for my shit," Charlie said
"I would've got a bottle hornitos," Cortez laughed.
"I can't go back drunk and high," Charlie laughed to.
"I didn't mean for you I meant for me," Cortez pulled off.
She spent the rest of the night with her cousin getting high and laughing her ass off.
"Oh shit it's three in the morning, take me back," Charlie said checking her phone.
"Alright, ion work tomorrow, well today if you wanna hang out again," Cortez said grabbing his keys.
"Yeah I'll text you when I wake up."
"Take yo weed and yo dutches."
"Can you keep it for me, if I get caught they gone send my ass back immediately," Charlie asked?
"Alright but just this once," Cortez said going to the door.
"Thank you," Charlie went to the car.
An/ For now ignore the other chapters till i can update them.