Chapter 1

A New Home

Rain fell down heavily on my nappy hair leaving me to just deal. I kept on walking; I had to get to his house. My body wanted to stop walking, after the first five miles, my small body wanted to crash on me, but I couldn’t. Tears rolled down my dark eyes. My body shook by every step.

I finally reached his doorstep, but I couldn’t bring myself to ring the doorbell. I took a seat on his porch, bringing my trembling hands to my wet face.

‘How could this happen?’ I thought

My body shook, maybe from the cold, or maybe from the shock, I wasn’t to sure.

The heavy rain lightened up, settling for a light drizzle. I looked up towards the grey clouds.

“God, I need you more than anything right now. I’m so confused. I’m so lost. I don’t know what to do anymore.” I prayed. “I need help.” I cried, putting my head into my hands. Tears stung my eyes, but I didn’t care. “God, help me.”

I heard the squeak of the front door opening. I jumped up from the porch and turned to look at the door. A male with dark brown hair stood at the door. He had to be about 5'8 at least. He had a natural tan to his white skin.

A startled expression came across his face. “Sky, what-.” He paused. “What’s wrong?” he asked concern clearly in his voice.

I wiped away the tears. “I don’t know.” My body trembled. “Jay, I don’t know.” I said, feeling new tears fall down my eyes.

Jay walked to me. He pulled my trembling body towards him and held me tightly. It felt good to be in someone’s arms, I haven’t been held in awhile.

After the last tear fell down my brown skin, Jay lead me inside the house. I looked around, I’ve never been inside. I’ve been driven past his house a million times, and I stopped by once, but never been inside. A big screen television with nice white furniture greeted me. Two small kittens appeared at my feet, one orange and another white. I looked around and saw a hallway to the left and a kitchen to my right.

To my surprise I heard an older woman’s voice say something. That’s when I noticed a dirty blonde woman sitting on the couch. She wasn’t alone; sitting next to her was an older man with dark brown hair that had a lot of grey in it.

My voice caught up with me. “I’m sorry if I’m interrupting something. I didn’t mean to.” I said quietly. “I’ll just-.”

The woman got up from the couch and walked to me. “No, stay.” She said nicely. “My name is Kat, I’m Jay’s mom.”

“Mom this is Sky, a friend from school She spells her name with an i though.” Jay said. “Ski, sitting on the couch is my step dad Drew.” Jay introduced.

I gave a weak smile. “Hon are you okay?” Kat asked. I shook my head. My body started to tremble again and hot tears started to burn my eyes. “Oh hon.” Kat said sweetly. She wrapped her arms around me pulling me into a hug. “Every thing's going to be okay.” She whispered in my ear. She pulled away and looked at Jay. “Get her a towel, she must be cold.” Jay nodded and walked away. She looked back at me. “Are you hungry?” she asked. I shook my head. She grabbed my hand and pulled me into the kitchen. “Have a seat.” I abided. “Thirsty, we have a lot to drink.” I shook my head again.

Jay returned with a towel. He handed it to me. I dried myself off as best as I could. Kat left the kitchen leaving Jay and I alone. Jay took a seat across from me. His dark grey eyes looked into my dark brown eyes. I pushed away the tears that threatened to come out.

We said nothing for awhile. We advantagally broke eye contact. I looked at the blue table. Jay looked at the wall clock. A couple of times our eyes met up again, but not for long.

“I’m sorry.” I said. Jay opened his mouth, but I stopped him from saying anything. I got up from the chair. “I didn’t mean to disturb you. I’ll leave.”

I started walking to the door, but Jay grabbed my arm. I saw he was standing up.

“What’s in the book bag?” Jay asked.

I forgot that I had it on. I looked at the door. I didn’t want to talk. I wanted to run again. I shook my arm away from his grip. I walked to the door. I turned and looked over at Jay’s parents. They were looking at me.

“I’m sorry for intruding. Thank you for your generosity.” I said.

I walked out the house. The rain was starting to get heavy again. I started walking towards the road. I stopped when I reached the end of the driveway. I didn’t know which way to go.

Tears stung my eyes. I had no where to go. I closed my eyes. “God help me.” I said.

I heard noise behind me. I turned around slowly. Jay’s dark grey eyes looked at me.

“I have no where to go.” I said quietly.

“Stay here.” Jay offered.

I shook my head. “I wouldn’t want to be a burden. I couldn’t.”

The rain fell down heavily.

“Do you want to sleep on the streets?” Jay asked.

I shrugged. I could feel the tears wanting to come out. “That might be more welcoming than being at home.” I said.

I turned away from Jay and decided to walk towards the right.

“Ski, please stay.” Jay called.

I stopped walking. I closed my eyes. Tears fell down my eyes. “God is this my help?” I asked silently. I opened my eyes and noticed Jay standing in front of me. “I’m sorry.” I said to him. “I don’t want to be burden, but…” I paused. I looked at his dark grey eyes. “I have no where to go.” I ended. “I don’t want to seem like-.”

“You're not.”

“I can’t.”

“It would make me feel so much better if you stayed here.”

I shook my head. I took a deep breath. “I wouldn’t feel comfortable and what about your mom?”

“She’ll be okay.”

The idea of being in a warm environment held advantages. I closed my eyes. My body failed on me at that moment. I couldn’t stand anymore. All the energy I had a second ago left me. I landed on the street hard.

I opened my eyes. I was laying in a bed I never been on before. I looked around. The room had an off white paint job. I got up from the bed. I know I wasn’t at home nor was I in the hospital. My head pounded like crazy. I ignored it and walked to the door.

I heard voices outside the door.

“DJ is she okay?” I heard Kat’s voice.

“I don’t know, but she doesn’t have a place to stay. Can she stay here for a bit?” Jay asked.

I opened the door slowly. Kat look up at me.

“Are you okay?” She asked maternal instincts coming in.

My vision started to go distorted. I blinked a couple of times.

“I’m fine.” I answered. I looked over at Jay. His dark grey eyes showed concern. “I don’t want to be a burden. And I’m so sorry that I’m here, so I’ll just leave.”

“And go where?” Kat asked. I had no answer. “Your staying.” She declared.

I looked at the ground. “Thank you.”

Kat walked towards me and gave me a hug. “Everything is going to be okay.”

She let me go and walked into another room. I looked at Jay.

“Do you want to talk?” he asked.

“Thank you.” I said quietly.

A second of silence. “Let me show you around.” Jay said. I nodded. He showed me through the house. After the tour I followed him to his room. I didn’t go inside. He walked into his room, turned around and looked at me. “You can come in.” He offered.

“What time is it?” I asked him.

“Almost nine.” He answered.

“Do you mind taking me to work in the morning?” I asked.

“What time?”

“I have to be their by 9:45 a.m.”

“Okay, I don’t mind.” He said.

I gave him a half smile. Inside I felt alone and awkward. Jay is this guy I met in my freshman year of high school and he’s been very sweet to me. We talked occasionally, but he was never my best friend. He graduated two years ago and now I’m starting my senior year. He has a girlfriend in my grade, and I’m cooler with her then I am with him.

“Um, thanks.” I said,

Jay nodded. I started to walk to the room I’d be spending time in, but Jay called my name. I turned and looked back at him. “What happened?” he asked.

“I’m not perfect enough.” I answered.

a.n. Edited