As I frantically packed, I noticed the sadness in her eyes, betraying her stone poker face. "Hey, what's up?"

"Cas...real talk here. I haven't been fostered here, it doesn't look like I will."

"It's alright Lu, you will! I'm sure you will be adopted so-"

"Cas" She cut me off. "They decided today they are moving me to an foster home in LA. It's in the process of officiating. It was going to happen to you too if you were not adopted today...It's a more well-known foster care, they told me. They want to send me there because I have a better chance of being fostered."

I stopped packing my things and sighed sadly, bottom lip trembling, withholding the emotion. I turned around and wrapped my arms around her in a tight hug, tears cascading down my cheeks like a waterfall after fresh rain.

"You have my Skype, so call me everyday" I tell her firmly, placing my rose gold MacBook Air into my bag gently, having spent my whole earnings on it.

I bear hugged her one last time before it was time for me to go.

She didn't come to say goodbye because she knew neither of us would be able to handle it. We'd been through so much together, the thought of separation was emotionally agonising.

I limped made my way down the winding mahogany wooden stairs for the last time, seeing Jack at the end of the hall, waiting for me, tapping his foot and facing the outside, watching peacefully as the bustling traffic passed through. As I headed towards him, Tiffany and Ella block my path.

"You got adopted! Gross! Who would want to adopt you, you trashy little sh!t?!" Tiffany barked, shoving me as I lost my footing due to my knees instability, crashing to the floor. I stare in shock: a rusted nail from within the broken wooden planks slices the side of my right hand. I clutch it tightly to place pressure on the bleeding, appearing very calm, vaguely annoyed at best.

"You're a loser! You don't deserve anything! You should have died with the rest of your insignificant family!" Ella screamed.

Jack swung on his heel and watched in horror as he made his way back into the building hastily. Wordlessly he stormed passed them both, causing them to back away, running when one of the staff demanded an explanation.

"Cassie are you alright?" He breathed worriedly, pulling me off the ground and onto my feet. I didn't respond, but look at my hand with disinterest. Jack saw it and he looked even more shocked than previously. There was blood dripping from it, making me cringe as I placed my black scarf around it temporarily. Jessica ran passed, panting and sobbing, blood dripping from her ear. As soon as I noticed, Jack and I both ran after her.

"Jess are you okay?!" I ask, looking at her ear carefully.

"Ruby...ripped out my earring. I tried to stop her, I really did, I really did! but I think she is going t-to hurt Lucia!"

I drop my bag and sprint up the stairs as fast as this damn knee could go. Jack picked up my bag and sprinted after me.

Ruby has Lucia backed up against the wall, her fist up ready to punch her. I forcefully push her away from Lucia, standing defensively in front of her.

"You have bullied me since day one of being here! You have stirred me up, told me I should have died with my family, and told me I should have never been born! Now, karma will get you" I snapped at her, punching her, hard. Her minion goes to punch me, but Jack puts his hand in the way. In shock, she turns the look at Jack, before turning around and running off, just like the other two did. They all met in the hallway, and as I turned to stare at them, they ran once more the opposite way.

"Are you okay?" I asked Jack. He shakes his hand.

"Never mind me, we need to get you to a doctor and get your hand fixed" Jack murmured, looking worriedly at it again. Blood soaked through the black scarf, dripping down my arm.

"Oh man" I hissed quietly.

I hastily hugged Lucia one more time and left the room, walking downstairs. Jack puts my bag and my sports bag with my clothes on his back and we walked out of the orphanage for the last time.

'My new life has just begun'