The Beast's Bride: surrendering to the beast within

Being a 17-year-old ‘unhinged rebellious bitch’ or an ‘unwanted rouge’ as others called me, who grew up in the system didn’t make me the most popular person but I’m doing what I can with what I have. I was found by the side of the road as a baby, no more than a few days old doctors thought, but from then I’ve bounced from state to state. From foster orphanage to foster home and back again over and over. For the last 2 years I’ve managed to stay in the same house, but it’s been… Challenging…

I’m the oldest of 3 foster kids, which means I’m the one who gets the most shit from Florence and Winston or as we call them ‘jerks who just want the money’. They are two of the most uncaring and pompous assholes I’ve ever come across. They didn’t have the room to take me in when they did so they transformed a small storage room under the stairs to the attic for me to stay in, I guess they were fans of Harry Potter, and all because they wanted the extra money that came with taking me in. They knew I was old enough to take care of myself and I guess it was a win-win in their eyes.

Florence, a 40 something year old act, acts like she's in her 20's and thinks she's a higher class than she is. Her bleached yellow hair is always looking like she dipped it in finger paint, and she always has to have her nails glittering and pretty like she was a 6-year-old glitter obsessed child. She would always go to the town salons telling others she was always off somewhere exotic, after going for a cheap and awful tanning session. She looked like a tall stick that had rolled in dirt.

Winston on the other hand, in his 50s was an abusive and creepy drunk that spent most of his days in front of a TV. His greasy brown hair looked like it was used to mop a muddy floor and there is always food down the front of whichever t-shirt he could get to fit over his stomach that day.

Most of my days were spent trying to move around the house unnoticed by either of them. Florence would find something wrong that I had nothing to do with and scream at me, or Winston would try to be a pervy creep and get angry when I shot him down. Often he would resort to throwing me against a wall for it. I don’t know if Florence has ever seen the way he acted with me or not but if she did, she didn't say anything about it. Both would always spend their days shouting about how grateful I should be to them for allowing me to stay there.

The other foster kids are the twins, Susan and Kevin, they have been here a bit longer than I have but they seem to hate it as much as I do. Thankfully they have each other so I've mostly kept to myself, so in 2 years I’ve not actually learned all that much about them. They are 14 and constantly fighting but it makes for good entertainment and passes the time.

The morning started like every other day. ‘Just a few more weeks... Just a few more weeks.’ The mantra I’ve been telling myself lately. ‘Just a few more weeks and you'll be free of this place’. Looking around at the small closet I was crammed into, I had the feeling of dread fill me again. As I braced to get up and start my day, I knew it was not going to be a good one. In the hall I could already hear footsteps, followed by the morning routine of arguments over who gets to use the bathroom first.

“JUVIA GET YOUR LAZY, USELESS ASS OUT OF BED! YOU'RE GOING TO BE LATE!” came a shrill nasally voice from outside my door. Florence banged twice on my door and then I heard her stomp off down the hall. I rolled over and got up to go to find something to wear. Looking in my wardrobe I let out a sigh as I eyed the small pile of clothes that I owned. At least when I go, I won’t have much packing to do. I went with a pair of knee-high shorts and a button up red tartan shirt that was just a touch too big and sat a little baggy on me. Grabbing my clothes, I peeked out through the door to make sure the hall was clear to go and get washed and changed.

Getting to the bathroom I looked in the mirror and let out a groan. My pale white skin accompanied by the black bags under my eyes had me looking like a vampire. After washing my face and brushing my teeth I quickly threw my long wavy ginger hair up into a bun, pulling down 2 strands on each side to try and frame what little features I had. I was far too skinny to have a nice round face. I put on some blush hoping it would give me some color before deciding it was a lost cause.

Getting downstairs, I noticed Florence had already left to go and get her weekly nails done. The twins were sitting talking and eating cereal. “Late again? It’s as if you want people to notice you coming in late.” Susan spoke first.

“Well, I can’t win in the fights to get into the bathroom with you two, can I? ” I mused back at her as I grabbed the last apple from the counter and took a bite. “I’d rather wait to get in than come out battered and bruised by you two monsters who still haven’t learned to share or take turns”.

Kevin chuckled and lifted their bowls to rinse them out as they went to leave for school. “Didn’t anyone sort a lunch for you?” I snapped when I noticed they didn't have a snack bag. I may not have the best relationship with them, but I hated that they were always left to fend for themselves most days.

“Nah, Flo went early, and Winston is still passed out. It's fine, I've got an apple in my pocket.” Susan said, shrugging as if it was okay. I glanced at Kevin as he glanced at the half eaten apple on the bench and then looked away from me, which gave me an indication that he knew when I had taken the last apple, he would have nothing.

With a sigh I reached into my pocket and pulled out some money. I have been working secretly in a small store in town. Making my own money and saving, so that on the day I turn 18, I’ve enough to just pack and leave.

“Its not much but it will feed you both for the next few days at least. Just don’t tell the pretend parents” I said splitting it and giving them half each. They looked at each other and then back at me, taking it and smiling. “Thanks” they said in unison. I nodded and went to grab my bag to leave for school.

“Told you she liked us.” I heard Susan say as they walked away, putting a smile on my face.