It was a warm August morning when the first day of school started for the both of us, a cab drove me to school. I knew high school would be different, especially because I didn't know anyone, but I was used to that so I knew I'd manage.
I took a deep breath, shoved what I wouldn't need into my locker, and decided to find my class early. Kevin and his buttkissers were already there. Kevin was a boy who I made my nemesis before school started, on the introduction day.
While he bragged about the girl who looked at him I took it upon myself to reply with something sarcastic, to which he replied
''No one would ever want to date you anyway, so what could you know.'' To that, I couldn't help but reply
''If looking at someone defined the relationship I'm sorry but it was over since I didn't mean it like that.'' Kevin slowly became red in the face and stuttered, ever since we hated each other, he hated me for my guts and I hated him for his stupidity and arrogance.
At times I wasn't sure who I hated more, Kevin or the two guys he hung with, Alwin and Ashton who laughed along with whatever Kevin said or did. Having no own identity and personality was something I hated at least as much as bullies like Kevin.
The first week of school went by surprisingly smoothly. Aside from some teasing from Kevin, I mainly focussed on the classes, I even had a few people I hung with during lunchtime.
Just like I knew from the day Lillith arrived, I wasn't lonely anymore, now I had a friend with whom I could celebrate things, we often walked through the woods near the group home, or hung out at the local skate spot since we always were too broke to go to the mall.
All this time Lillith's brother didn't visit, the only family she had left which she cared for. The family she did have left was left in charge of the business Lillith's father owned, they never cared for Lillith or her brother Jake, sent money, or held any contact with her, to be honest, it was sad but I understood why she didn't see them as her family anymore. I knew it was heavy on her, we lived in an all-girls group and while we had each other.
When we came home I went to my room, planning to write in my diary, but for some reason, I was just thinking about everything when I heard a knock on my door.
''Come in,'' I said and Stella, my mentor came in.
Mentors were the main workers in the group home to took responsibility for a child in a group home. The main ''parent''.
Of course, a mentor could never be a real parent, they weren't emotionally attached to us like a parent, and they were only there for the practical things that needed to be handled.
Stella invited me to come to the office, and so I stood up, glad I hadn't taken my diary from the hidden spot yet while I sat down. ''What am I here for,'' I asked Stella. From what I knew I didn't do anything wrong, and I hated being called to the office.
If it wasn't for anything I did wrong, it was usually because something needed to be fixed and I had to play mediator and negotiator between my mother, the halfway house, and my legal guardian, which I had a strong dislike for.
''So, how's school going so far?'' Stella asked me in a tone that didn't tell me anything about her mood or where she was going with this conversation.
''Good so far, how's work going?'' I replied in return. I knew she hated it when I talked back at her as an equal, we weren't supposed to ask questions like that.
''I'm good, but you know that's not what we're here for,'' Stella answered my question. ''I'm glad you haven't gotten in trouble at school so far,'' she continued.
''I've heard there's a camp your school is organizing, I wondered if you would like to go,'' Stella said.
''You've heard correctly,'' I answered, ''but how do you expect me to go on another camp knowing how badly I lack in clothes as it is?'' I raised my eyebrow, I knew the negotiation had just started.
"Would you like to go to the school camp?" Stella repeated the question.
"Will funding be available for me to get everything I need?" I repeated my question in return. I had no particular reason to go on camp, my wardrobe was one issue, and not having friends and only going to school to get somewhere in life was another.
Stella sighted was silent for a minute and then answered. ''Yes, I'll personally make sure there will be funding for you to shop before the trip for everything needed including clothing.''
''What if you can't?'' I asked Stella, not trusting CPS to do anything nice for me.
Stella sighed, but he didn't avoid my gaze or let anything slip through her facial'" expression or her body language. "I already got the funding because your lack of clothing has been an issue for a longer time, and the lack of cooperation from both your mother and legal guardian."
"How much has been made available?" I wanted to know. "You'll find out tomorrow, I know how close you are with Lillith, so we'll allow you to do the shopping together, before you go we'll expect a list of items needed, so make sure to make that list when you leave the office."
Soon after that I left the office, went to my room, and made the list, I compared it with the list of things needed for camp before I added the clothing I needed and two pairs of shoes.
"How did you manage to get this done?" Lillith wanted to know when I told her about it after I'd finished the list and handed it in.
''She was probably just tired of having me around since I always bring so much paperwork'' I joked, to be honest with myself, I had no idea why she wanted me gone but I was glad to be gone for a week and to finally be able to get new clothes. It was much needed at this point.
When we were at the mall I reached into my pocket and took out the white envelope. A note was included with the money.
''Dear Jade,
As you know, this is a rare opportunity, but because I knew you lacked clothes I took it upon myself to negotiate with your legal guardian.
No one should live with only two pairs of pants, lacking a coat, lacking things you simply need. With this said, I trust both of you to spend this money wisely, and please keep the receipts.
Have fun!
Stella.''
After counting the money and reading the note, we went to one of the food stands to get some lunch first and plan how we'd organize the day.
Lillith looked like she wanted to tell me something after a few bites, and held out her hand. "How much did you get?" she wanted to know.
''Enough'' I said and shrugged.
''Not even 200 I bet,'' she said and still had her hand out for my envelope with money. ''Why does it even matter?'' I wanted to know before to finished my food and pretended to be very occupied with my drink.
''Because I have more than enough to share now,'' she said.
"How?" I wanted to know. Knowing I missed something.
"I've contacted my aunt, and told her about living in the same house as you, and the situation you and I are in, She agreed until the adoption was finalized an allowance was in order." She then showed a credit card, it was new as it was without scratches or any spots on it.
"Are you serious?" I whispered and finished my drink as she nodded.
Although I felt guilty to take so much from Lillith while I had nothing to give back, I was glad I had enough clothes now not only for the summer but for multiple years to go since I shopped half of my clothes bigger than my current size. I had been reluctant and took the bare minimum at first, but as Lillith has caught on to what I did she started picking out clothes she knew I'd like without even looking at the price tags.
"Do you know why Stella went out of her way to help you?" Lillith wanted to know as we sat on the windowsills later that night.
"I have no idea" I answered. Usually, workers from group homes didn't care at all.
''Maybe some of them truly do this work to help,'' I said half as a joke. In the last few years, I have seen the worst from people in the system.
"How are your aunt and uncle?" I asked in return.
"They're fine, they're planning to start the adoption process soon. They didn't know things were so though and apologized, maybe I could convince them to adopt you too." She said hopefully.
"Maybe," I said, knowing the chance was small and happy she wanted to share what she had for now.
"Let's just take the win for now, and be happy we got anything at all, especially something this big." Lillith agreed.