Fostering a New Me

Chapter 2

Reese tossed violently in her bed. Night terrors were a common thing in her life, and something she had not been able to escape.

“Don’t do it!” A voice screamed down a dark hallway. “She’s just a child.” The voices were becoming louder and louder as Reese walked down the dark hallway. “Reese, run!” The words pierced through her veins as that was the way the dream always ended, with Reese sitting straight up in bed screaming as if it were still real.

Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson came running into her room attempting to comfort Reese. “I’m fine.” Reese said breathing heavily. “It was just a dream. I just need some water.” Reese got up and walked to the kitchen.

“We are calling her therapist first thing in the morning,” said Mrs. Jefferson. “That’s the third night terror this week!” She continued. Mr. Jefferson agreed.

Reese’s therapist suggested that she take a break and go do something fun for the weekend. To ease the tensions from her mind. The amount of stress she had lately was building up, and probably the reason for the physical altercation that took place with Lexi at school. Reese was thrilled she was given approval to spend the weekend with her long-time friend Catherine, aka Cat. Cat was one of Reese’s friends from a previous school she had attended in the area, and the first friend she made when she moved back when she was in the fifth grade. She only had to make it one more day at school, and then she was free for the weekend.

“I’m impressed,” Adam said as he met Reese at her locker Friday morning. “It turns out a black eye is the only thing Lexi can’t seem to make look fashionable,” he chuckled.

Reese lowered her head ashamed of her actions. “Yeah, wasn’t my finest moment.” She looked up at his beautiful eyes, and felt a flush appear on her cheeks. For once she thought she might actually have a chance with one of the popular boys. Typically, the only guys who had talked to her in the past had been friends of the guys who came around to see her mom. That never ended well. Surprisingly Reese had managed to hold on to her V-card, and that was one thing she was extremely protective of. That was her proof to herself she was different.

“Hey Teagan is having a party tomorrow night at cliffs, you want to go with me?” Adam smiled.

Reese froze, “You mean…like a date?”

“Yeah, sure, why not.” Adam flashed her smirk that made Reese almost completely forget about her plans with Cat.

“I really wish I could, but I am going away for the weekend,” said Reese, now kicking herself for actually having plans for once in her life.

“Ouch,” said Adam. “Well too bad, because it would have been a lot of fun. Maybe next time.” He waved as he walked off.

Reese smiled at the thought of him already thinking about future plans with her, not someone else, but her. Reese raced off to class, and was thankful when the final bell rang for the day. Cat’s mom was already waiting at Reese’s house when she got off the bus. Reese always loved Mrs. Nelson. She never treated her like a foster kid; she was like a second mom to Reese.

“Hey kiddo, I have missed you!” Mrs. Nelson smiled as she wrapped Reese in a tight hug. “Hurry and grab your bags so we can get out of this place!”

The words couldn’t have been more of a beautiful sound to Reese’s ears, and she did exactly as told. Reese knew Cat was already at home waiting when she opened the front door from the sheer screams of excitement coming from Cat’s lungs as she ran towards her.

“I’m so glad you’re here! You have to tell me everything! How is school? Are there cute boys? Did your boobs get bigger?” Cat spat out questions so fast Reese couldn’t get in a word.

Reese laughed. It was truly the first time she had been happy in weeks. Cat was a site for sore eyes. “Sure, let me tell you everything,” Reese barely getting the sentence out before Cat dragged her off to her room.

Cat was a good best friend. She oogled when Reese told her about Adam, and looked disgusted when she heard about Lexi. “Serves her right,” said Cat. “You should have blackened both her eyes for that. Sounds like you’re really improving that temper of yours.” Cat smiled a mischievous little smirk, one that Reese had seen many times before.

Cat went on to tell Reese about the latest drama from her old school. Who was dating who, and who surprisingly got pregnant. She informed Reese she met the cutest college Freshmen while attending a leadership conference at one of the local universities last month. He was part of the same fraternity as Cat’s father, and so she was hoping that might gain him some brownie points with the family. Cat wasn’t allowed to date until she turned seventeen. That was another eight months away, so their future didn’t look too bright.

Reese felt refreshed as Cat and her mom pulled in the Jefferson’s driveway Sunday evening. She promised them both she would visit again soon, and walked inside. The kitchen smelled amazing. Never having a lot of homecooked meals growing up, Mrs. Jefferson’s cooking was a real treat. It was the one thing she actually enjoyed about living there.

“Have a nice time?” Mr. Jefferson asked. He was in the middle of trying to solve his latest crossword puzzle in the Sunday paper. He never completed them. Sometimes he would keep the papers swearing he would eventually get to them. After about three weeks worth piled up Mrs. Jefferson would quietly snatch them off the counter, and throw them in the trash with Mrs. Jefferson none the wiser.

“It was great,” Reese replied.

“Glad to hear it,” Mr. Jefferson looked up and smiled.

Mrs. Jefferson peered around the kitchen island and said, “Glad you’re back. If you have a good day at school tomorrow you can have your phone back.”

Reese suddenly remembered the phone. She had been so busy with Cat she hadn’t realized she had been cut off from the rest of her non-existent social life. She was suddenly curious about how Teagan’s party went, and smiled at the thought of seeing Adam the next day. She wondered if he had missed her as well.