People call me an old soul, because I’ve seen too much, heard too much and know too much for my age. But I believe that I’m really just a regular kid. I like to play and I try to make friends when I can. And whether I truly am an old soul or not…my first few days at the Fuller Group Home, which is run by Ms. Nadine Fuller, will take some adjusting.
There are three other kids at the home currently. The first kid that I actually try playing with is Michael Roe. Michael seems a bit quiet and withdrawn. He’s willing enough to play with me, but he really doesn’t have a lot to say. I’m guessing that he’s trying to feel me out just like I’m doing with him.
Then there’s Claudia Trejo, who shares my room at the home. She’s a teenager, so I don’t really expect her to play with me or anything. She seems nice enough though.
Claudia has a little brother named Raul. I haven’t had a chance to say much to him yet. So I don’t know anything about him.
I play on the spaceship with Michael until I begin to get bored.
Alida: Hey…you want to go see what Raul is doing?
Michael: No, not really.
Michael turns his attention to climbing up on the space ship ladder and hanging off with one hand like it’s the most important thing in the world.
Alida: Why not?
Michael: I just don’t want to.
I hate half answers.
Alida: There has to be more reason than that.
Michael finally jumps down from the ladder. I’m thinking he’s giving in, but all he does is walk over to the pretend control panel and begins to push buttons like they actually do something.
Michael: Well there isn’t. So go away…I’m busy.
I wouldn’t describe what Michael is doing as busy, but I decide to leave him to it. If I want to get to know Raul…I’ll have to go get to know him myself. I glance over at Ms. Fuller and Claudia who are talking on the bench. Then I approach Raul.
Alida: Hi. I’m Alida.
I feel a little silly after saying it because I know they all already know my name. Ms. Fuller told them as soon as I arrived.
Raul doesn’t even bother to greet me. Instead, he narrows his eyes and stares at me.
Raul: Are you tough? I only hang out with kids that are tough.
Alida: Tough? What do you mean?
Raul: Can you fight?
This sounds like a challenge. I make a show of puffing up my chest and flexing my muscles.
Alida: I’m tough enough to kick your ass!
I’m not just saying that. I mean every word.
Raul: Okay, okay…calm down. I guess you’re tough enough. You could never beat me up though.
I let that little comment slide.
Alida: What about Michael? Can he play with us too?
Raul: Michael?! That dude doesn’t have a tough bone in his body. If I look at him too hard, he runs away crying.
I‘m thinking Raul is telling a joke, so I immediately start laughing.
Alida: So…what should we do?
Raul doesn’t even get a chance to respond before Ms. Fuller announces that it’s time to go.
Raul: We’ll play later! I call dibs on the computer. *turns and runs towards the park entrance*
I stand back and watch as everyone else leaves before I jog behind them to catch up. I can tell they’ve been here a lot longer than I have. It’s in the way they move towards the house…with an air of familiarity. But it’s all foreign to me. A strange house, strange people…even the air feels strange. I step up on the porch, unsure how I’ll ever see this place as my home.
(Generation 1 Chapter Summaries)
