I’ll Reach For You

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 1

Nice to meet you, Hunter.
“I can’t believe you guys are doing this.” I am so upset with my parents. Months ago, my dad came home telling us about a girl at his work he cannot find a home for. He works as a social worker and helps find foster homes for children.

Dad has been talking about this girl and looking for a place for her a while now. He told us that no one wants her because she is too old.

She is eighteen, only a year older than I am. He said she comes from a rough environment; he can’t tell us the details. But my father managed to extend her time in the foster system to the age of twenty-one.

Unexpectedly, my parents told me they are taking her in. I didn’t agree with this, a random person who will share a house with us. The only thing I know is her name’s Hunter Bennett, the girl who will ruin my life.

I don’t know what she looks like, where she comes from, not one thing. She could have been a drug addict or something. Her parents may have abandoned her on the street. She can be so many things, it’s terrifying! And… she will live in the same house with me.

“You realize your father has been looking for a home for that unfortunate thing for a long time, and it’s been hard on him.” I roll my eyes at my mother. We sit on the couch, waiting for dad and Hunter to arrive.

“A stranger, a complete stranger, will live here with us. We don’t know her, but we’re aware she may be trouble.” I say, and my mom sighs. She looks irritated with my behavior, her brown eyes filled with fire. She is playing with her long blond hair, keeping herself busy so she won’t yell at me.

“Not everyone in foster care is a troubled child, Skylar. You need to calm down; this is a wonderful thing to do.” Now she sounds upset. I shake my head. This is unbelievable.

It’s not only that she will live here. She is going to the same school as me and will take the last year a second time because she missed so much school in the past few years. It’s as if I will be her babysitter. My friends will think I’m insane.

The sound of a car outside makes my mother jump off the couch and run to the door.

“Come on.” She says, irritated. I roll my eyes and step off the couch.

The door opens, and dad comes in with a bag over his shoulder. Behind him is Hunter Bennett. She steps in and looks around the room, curious as dad closes the door.

“Hunter, this is my wife, Rachel, and my daughter, Skylar.” My mom reaches out her hand, and Hunter looks at her and takes her hand in hers.

“Nice to meet you, Hunter,” Hunter says the same to her. Her hand appears to tremble. She looks at me with a shy smile, her blue eyes clear but scared.

Hunter is very slim and small compared to me, three to four centimeters shorter. If we stood next to each other, people would think I am the oldest one.

She is wearing a black hoodie, which is too big for her and her blue jeans are full of holes.

Her hair is long and brown with a nice hint of red. It’s up in a ponytail and makes me notice she has small ears; they are adorable, though.

Her blue eyes are drowning in tiredness. She appears so drained I can’t believe she can stand on her own feet. Even though she looks as if she will fall apart, she’s pretty. But all of that can hide a goddamn demon!

“Let me show you around and take you to your room.” Dad has a bright smile on his face. Hunter nods; she seems shy or quiet. I don’t know or care. I want her out that door and back to where she came from.

“Dinner!” Mom yells from the kitchen.

“Yeah, I’m coming.” I get off the couch and step into the dining room. The smell of chicken arises to my nose, one of my favourites. I sit at the table, not long after dad and Hunter walk in.

Dad sits next to mom, and Hunter takes the chair next to me. I turn to her, and she gives me the same shy smile. We fill our plates in the quiet, but Mom speaks.

“So, Hunter, are you looking forward to school tomorrow?” Mom asks. I turn to Hunter; she scratches her neck and seems unsure.

“I think so.” She answers short; her voice sounds shaky.

I am the one who must take care of her at school, show her the places. Goddamnit, why? I sigh. Dad looks at me.

“Are you okay?” He asks, worried. I nod, and he continues to eat.

“The food is good. I can’t remember…” Hunter stops, we turn to look at her. She looks down at her plate. I notice her red cheeks and sad blue eyes.

“Thank you, and I’m glad you’re enjoying it.” Mom takes away the awkwardness.

“Do you like your room?” She asks, keeping the silence away.

“Yeah, I do. Your house is incredible. The bedroom is almost as big as the apartment my parents had.” She tells. Her hands are shaking, and her voice trembles. I glance at my mom, who is unsure of what to say to that.

I shrug to myself and keep on eating. It’s so quiet, the only thing I can hear is the chewing and breathing.

We sit around the table deep in our own thoughts. As if nothing is wrong or weird. My eyes drift to Hunter, and she turns with an unsure smile and sparkling blue eyes. The heart in my chest tingles, and so does my stomach. I stare back to my food, feeling the fire in my cheeks.