My Best Side Was Your Worst Invention

"I just don't think this is such a good idea."

"Alexander, wouldn't you want a loving family to take you in if you had no home to go back to?"

I pondered my mother's question. If my mom and dad had failed me, would I really want to give another family a shot? No, I probably wouldn't. I would be bitter and cold, which is exactly what I imagined this girl would be like. It's not like they even gave me a chance to discuss this with them. Seeing as how big of a change it's going to be, you'd think they'd include their only living son in the decision. She would be living in my house, going to my schoold and meeting my friends. The only thing my parents were obligated to do was feed her, clothe her and make sure that her grades stayed steady. They wanted me to socialize her, like an abused rescue puppy. They wanted me to be her friend, mend all of her wounds. I was only seventeen, the last thing I wanted to do was nurse another human being back to life.

Be that as it may, I had promised my parents that I would be kind to her and at least give her a chance. I'd fought them on this matter for a week, but the papers had already been signed, she was already considered my 'foster sister.' Here I was, on a perfectly good Saturday afternoon, blowing my friends off to meet some stranger who had apparently been straved a few years ago. Sure, that thought made me feel bad. No child should ever be neglected, I learned that the hard way, but I had already lost my brother. Why did this girl think she had a right to come into our lives and try to take his place? We were finally adjusted to it just being me. She wasn't welcome here.

The time was 2:30. I tapped my foot against the carpet and stared down at my hands. Any minute now, she would be here, with the few things she owned in tow. She would walk in here and smile at my mom, instantly winning her love as the daughter she always wanted, but never had. My dad would find her charming, be swooned by a young girl with such a grateful attitude, and then I'd be tossed aside like a dirty rag.

Tap, tap, tap at the door. She was here, finally. Maybe if I offered her a smile and a warm hello, my parents would release me from this house and let me go on about my business like this girl never existed.

"Mr. and Mrs. Gaskarth," a man I could only assume to be a social worker greeted my parents. He let himself into the house and took a glance around our living room. His face showed approval. "Are you ready to meet Avory?"

"Oh yes," my mother nodded. "We've been working on her room for a week! I sure hope she likes the color purple."

"I'd say she does."

My dad's comment sounded a little distant. When I looked in his direction, I understood why. She was standing in the doorway, wearing a pair of loose purple sweat pants and a baggy white tee-shirt. Her hair, a sun-kissed golden-brown, hung matted around her head. She was wearing flip-flops that appeared to be two sizes too big, and her skin was pale. I noticed how skinny she was, and how lifeless her green eyes seemed. The poor girl looked terrified. Pity washed over me. Guilt for all the bad things I'd said about her.

"You'll have to excuse the mess," the man laughed, walking over to Avory to put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "She's only just come from her old foster house. Can you believe they have ten kids living there? That's why we decided to pull Avory. They thought of her as a waste of space. We certainly hope she'll be happier here, otherwise she'll be sent to the orphanage."

"We won't allow that to happen," my mom rushed over to thin girl and wrapped an arm around her. Avory winced at her touch, but offered a tiny smile. "Come on, dear, I'll show you where the shower is."

The social worker and my father engaged in conversation. I could hear a little mumble about how 'the boy' would adjust to having a girl invade his space. Though I still wasn't fond of the idea, my heart wanted to help her in some way. I'm sure a friend would do her some good right now. Standing up from my seat, I darted toward the stairs and made it to the top of them just before my mother pushed Avory into the bathroom. I grabbed the door before it could be closed and poked my head in on Avory. My mother gave me a smack in the back, but I ignored it.

"Hi, I'm Alex," I breathed, grinning at her scared face. She didn't smile in return, she simply stared at me as if I had gone mad. "Look, I- I know you just got here and everything, but I was wondering if I could maybe take you shopping after you got settled in? We could go tomorrow, that way you have some new clothes to wear to school?"

"Uh," Avory stuttered, hugging her as she looked around the bathroom. I knew she was ashamed of herself, but none of this was her fault. Not a bit of it, I'd imagine. "I guess that would be okay."

"Great. You're gonna love it here, Avory," I closed the door. "I promise."

My mother pulled me into a hug, tears streaming down her face. I couldn't blame her, it was the first mature thing I think I'd ever done. Maybe there was a chance that Avory and I could get along, that she would be more than just a burden to me. I'd have to wait until she really opened up to be able to tell, though. Until then, I could only hope that she was really worth our time.

Notes