Clarity(as an 8 year old)

I sit in my small, dark room. In my hands, I'm petting my dog, Snoopy. My face is covered with my long brown, blonde highlighted hair. Today is Adoption Day, and I don't want to be out with the rest of the other kids. I've been at Northwood's Adoption Center since I was 5 years old. It's been three years since I've been here, and haven't been adopted yet. Maybe I'll never be adopted...

A knock appeared at my door. "Come in!" I shout. The door slowly opens and light pours inside of the room. My eyes wince at the bright lighting. I cover my face so that the light isn't on my face. I can feel a figure coming closer to me. I slowly uncover my eyes and Trey is standing there, overflowing with giddy.

"Clarity!!! You're supposed to be outside! Don't you want to be adopted and leave?" His voice sounds like a wind chime being moved by the wind. He's my best friend. We've known each other since the day I came here. We're the same age, but he's older by a month.

He's taller than me by 5 inches. He has hair as white as snow. His emerald green eyes sparkle in the light. His porcelain skin is soft as a pillow. He always protect me. It's probably one of the reasons why we're friends.

"I don't want to go outside. The years I've been here, nobody has wanted me. I don't want to feel rejected again. Don't you feel the same way?" I explain to him. A tear falls out of my eye, but I wipe it away quickly. I don't want to cry in front of him; He'll think I'm a crybaby. He shakes his head rapidly. "No. I keep trying! One day, someone will adopt us. And that day is today! So stop moping around, we got people to meet!"

I shake my head "No" and he sighs. "Clarity, why do you say that? You WILL get adopted, I promise. You're too good to pass up. You're sweet but shy, quiet but confident. You always try to cheer me up when I'm feeling sad. It's time for me to do the same. If you don't get adopted, these people are fools! Just... please... give it a chance? For me?"

I look up at him, and he has the biggest smile I've ever seen on his face. He was actually serious. I want to keep that smile on his face. So, I eventually gave up trying to fight."Fine" I grumble. But inside of me, I feel happy about his words. He kisses my forehead and does a happy dance. "Yay! You finally listen to me!"

I stick my tongue at him and Snoopy joins in on Trey's dancing. I laugh as Snoopy tries to copy Trey's moves. "You finally laugh. You should laugh more often. It sounds like an angel's voice." I ignore his statement and I go outside to get this over with. Ms. Walters, the head of the Adoption Center, stops me before I could open the door. "Clarity! It's so nice to see you finally participating in Adoption Day! Good luck out there!" she smiles.

I keep my mouth shut, knowing what kind of reaction she's expecting. I hope so too, Ms. Walters!!!! Thank you for wishing me good luck!!! Bleh. It's SO not happening, Ms. W.

Trey and Snoopy catch up, and we all walk outside to the backyard where all of the children and parents are. The children are running around and playing. Some of them are talking to the parents. They'll probably end up being adopted, and I'll be stuck here, waiting for a hero to save me. "Come on, Clarity! Let's get some food!" He drags me to the snack table, where tons of treats are being served. Cookies, brownies, hot cocoa, chocolate, gumballs, appetizers, pasta, burgers.

My mouth waters at the food. I didn't get a chance to eat, since I was in my room half of the day. I immediately grab some pasta and two burgers and slap it on my plate. I devour the food quickly as I could. Trey stares me with a shocked look. "You must be really hungry! But you're getting food all over your shirt."

I look down at my shirt, groaning at the sight. It was a brand new white t-shirt! I walk away and sit at a table, far away from everyone. I sit in silence for what seems like two hours, but was really 30 minutes. I sigh heavily, realizing that I should have never listened to Trey. This was a waste of my time!

I get up, feeling rejected AGAIN. But a woman comes next to me as I head back to the front door. She is very beautiful, more beautiful than Beyonce. And I love Beyonce! She looks like 5'5. She has platinum blond hair which is tied into a high bun. Her aqua colored eyes stare at me with worry. Her attire consisted of a blue maxi dress with black stripes, black sandals peeking out of her dress, and black jewelry.

"Where are you going?" the pretty lady asked me. "I'm going back inside. It's obvious that no one is interested in me, and I'd rather sit in my room than deal with rejection" I replied softly. "Well ,you've interested me already. I don't see what's the problem. You seem like a sweet and intelligent girl. What's your name?"

My face turns red as she complimented me. "T-t-t hank you, Ms. My name is Clarity." I instantly feel shy, not knowing what to do with myself. Should I go back inside, or keep talking to her, hoping that she'll maybe want me?

She chuckles, probably figuring out that I'm a little shy. "That's a very beautiful name, Clarity. Did you know it means 'clear'?"

I nod. "Yes, I've known since I was 4. Ms., what is your name?" She laughs. "Oh my goodness, I forgot to introduce myself! My name is Charlotte Adams. Pleasure to meet you." I smile, feelings of anxiety leaving my body. She doesn't seem that bad. "So, why don't you want to feel rejected?"

And there it goes. "I... don't really participate in these kind of things. I have never been chosen for adoption. I don't think it will happen." Again, tears form in my eyes, but this time, I let them fall. She tilts my chin up to look me in the eyes. She wipes my eyes away with her thumb. " There's no need to cry. I think you're very interesting, and I'd like to adopt you. You are a beautiful and smart girl. If I don't adopt you now, I might regret it for the rest of my life!"

My tears stop falling. She wants to adopt me? I can't believe this... I'm finally having my dream come true. I'm leaving for real right now. It's not a dream! I nod, too happy to speak. Ms. Adams chuckles. "I'll just sign some papers, and we can be on our way back." I jumped up and down and ran inside. Wait until Trey hears this!

"So, you got adopted?!?!?! I told you!" he shouted with glee.

"Enough! Did you get adopted as well?"

"Yes, I did. Some man named Mr. Jones. We're going to Los Angeles!"

I whimper. "Los Angeles? But.. then I'll never get to see you again." He hugs me tightly. "Clarity, we'll always be best friends!"

"Promise?" I asked quietly. "Anything for you, Clarity. I promise." He kisses me on the tip of my nose. The door swings open and we jump, turning around to see who it is. Ms.Adams is standing in the doorway, waiting for me. Trey grabs my backpack and Ms. Adams grabs my bags. I carry Snoopy and his bed. We walk to the parking lot. She heads to the sliver Mercedes and opens the doors. She puts my items in the trunk and Snoopy jumps into the back seat.

"I guess this is goodbye..." I said sadly to Trey.

"We'll see each other one day."

We hug for about 5 minutes, and he kisses my forehead one last time. I climb into the backseat. Ms. Adams pulls out, and I look back one last time, instantly missing everything I'm leaving behind.

My best friend. The place I've never called home. The kids I never became friends with. Ms. W, who was always bugging me to put myself out there.

I already miss his voice.

Two hours later, we arrive at Ms. Adams's house. It is a big two story house with a backyard. It's cocoa colored with bricks. The house gives me a warm feeling and I haven't even been inside yet! We walk inside the house. I gasp in amazement as I gaze the first floor. It has my favorite smell, cinnamon and roses, and it has brown carpeting. The walls are white with paintings scattered around. The dining room had a giant black dining table with flowers on top.

The kitchen was yellow with white and a small counter with bar stools. "Do you like the house?" Ms. Adams asked me. I nod happily and she picked me up. She walked upstairs and opened the second room on the right. The door opened and my eyes started to sparkle. The large room had blue walls and a big screen television above the walk-in closet.

The bed was a canopy bed, with blue and violet bedding with pillows. The blue rug had Snoopy's bed and he was sitting on top of it. I jumped out of her arms and went to the French doors. It opened to a balcony overlooking the beach. There were dozens of people down there, playing Frisbee into the night with bonfires and smores. I watched, eager to go down there and play.

Ms. Adams saw my excitement and shook her head. "We can't go to the beach, but we'll go tomorrow. Would you go next door and meet the neighbors? They're moving in today."

I grinned and nodded. Snoopy followed me outside the cool air next door. I knocked softly, hoping that someone was home. The door opens and the face I missed just a couple of hours ago was smiling at me.

"Clarity! I missed you!!!" I hug him and it felt like the world was good again. We walked inside, the warm air welcoming me and the restart of our friendship.