"Liam, honey," Mrs. Greene starts to say, but Kerrie interrupts her mother by asking if she can say something to me.
When her parents look at her for a moment, they nod, giving her permission, and she focuses her attention on me again; "I apologize for calling you stupid. You're not stupid, and you're right, I can't begin to understand from a personal level what anyone in the foster care system goes through. I should be more understanding and compassionate instead of projecting my views on what you should do once you're an adult. I know I've said this before to you, but I'm going to say it again, and try even harder to do this - I'm going to stay out of your business. I hope you can accept my apology, Liam."
"Thank you for apologizing," I reply, staring at her intently, and I relax slightly when Logan places his hand on the small of my back. "I need you to stay out of my personal life, and keep your opinions of me and my life to yourself, and I'll do the same to you. I get the impression you don't want me here for some reason, and I don't want to be here either, but I'm willing to get along the best I can with being here, and everyone in this home."
Before anyone else can comment, Logan asks Mr. and Mrs. Greene; "May Liam stay the night at my home, and come back in the morning, please?"
Snapping my head toward him in surprise, he winks at me with a small grin as Mr. Greene answers; "He can as long as he wants to do this. If you do Liam, you need to be home by noon, okay? We're going to visit my parents for lunch at a local cafe at one."
"I can go, even though I haven't earned doing something fun because of my temper?" I wonder, complexity shocked by this.
"Of course you can, love," Mrs. Greene replies, her face holding a mild case of surprise at my question.
"Thank you," I grin as I bounce onto my toes before landing back on my flat feet. "Can we leave soon?"
"We sure can," Logan answers, rubbing his thumb over my lower back where his hand is still resting. "Go pack what you're gonna need, and I'm gonna talk with Kyler until you're done."
Not even bothering to answer him, I just grin before taking off to the bedroom to do as he asked. I pack a set of jammies, clean boxers and socks, clean clothes for tomorrow, my bathroom items I'll need, and my blankie and bunny into my school backpack. Zipping the bag closed, I mentally make sure I'm not forgetting anything before leaving the room in excitement, and return to the kitchen where only Kyler and Logan are. Mr. and Mrs. Greene are in the living room watching a movie, and I have no clue where Kerrie is located, but this is none of my business.
"Got everything?" Kyler questions when he notices me stepping into the kitchen as he's still sitting on the counter with Logan sitting next to him.
Eagerly nodding, he and Logan let out soft chuckles with wide smiles as Logan hopes off the counter, nodding his head toward the door with a 'let's go then.'
"Bye!" I tell Kyler with my own large grin before telling my foster parents goodbye, and promising that I'll be back by noon tomorrow.
Following Logan out to his truck, we climb inside, and I settle my bag on the floor in between my feet. Logan drives us toward his home which isn't too far from the Greene's home, and I like this. When he parks in the driveway of his home, nervousness sets into my body, and my hands tightly grip the straps of my backpack.
"What if they don't like me? What if they're upset that I'm here? Did you ask if I can stay the night?" I rapidly ask Logan as I stare at him with wide eyes.
Logan gives me a soft smile as he reaches over the arm rest in between us, gently pulling my hand free of the death grip I have on the bag to hold my hand in his larger, warmer one; "Liam, breath. Yes, I already called and asked if you could stay the night, and I promise they're not upset at you being here for the night. They're gonna adore you like I do, I promise."
Harshly chewing on my lower lip as I calm myself down, and Logan gives me the time I need to do this.
"Okay, we can go inside now," I quietly tell him, and he gives my hand a gentle squeeze before letting go, and we climb out, and I carry my bag on my shoulder to the front door.
He opens the door, leading us inside, and he holds my hand in his, bringing me the comfort I greatly needed even though I'm calmer about being here.
"We're home!" Logan calls out after he shuts the door behind us, and we take our shoes off by the door.
"We're in the kitchen!" a female voice calls back, and he leads me into the kitchen. "Hi mama, how are you?"
"Hi baby, I'm good," his mom replies with a fond smile at her son. "Is this Liam?"
Blushing at her question, holding my hand out toward her, softly saying; "Hi ma'am, I'm Liam Ryerson. Thank you for letting me stay here tonight."
"Nice to meet you, Liam," she replies as we shake hands. "Please call me Leslie."
Giving her a small smile, I tell her that it's nice to meet her, too, and tell her that her house is beautiful.
"Thank you, love," she answers before asking Logan what our plans are for the night.
Logan looks at me briefly with a grin before answering his mom; "Um, probably watch a movie or play on the PlayStation for a while before going to bed. I gotta take Liam home by noon tomorrow. They're all gonna have lunch with Grandma Greene at one."
"Sounds good, if you guys need anything let me know, otherwise Logan can get whatever you need," Leslie states with a warm smile toward Logan and me. "Night boys. I love you."
"Love you, too, mama," Logan tells her before I thank her for her hospitality, and Logan leads me to his bedroom.