Chapter 1

I couldn’t believe that I had finally made it to graduation.

We all stood up as our valedictorian Temperence came onto the stage. When she got closer to the microphone, she tapped it twice. I could only assume to make sure it was working. We all sat down before she started her speech.

She cleared her throat, “Hi class of 2030, for those of you that don’t know my name is Temperence Smith. I moved here a few years back and, not knowing anybody at first; I kept to myself for many years. Until I finally made some friends, because of them I am standing in front of you today, they encouraged my studies. I stand before you today to say that even though we are graduating, our lives have only just begun. From this day forth, we will all take our paths into adulthood. Congratulations class of 2030!!!!”

We all stood up to give her the biggest round of applause that we could.

Once we were done, our principal stood up and walked to the microphone. One by one, he started calling out names. One thing I was grateful for was the fact that my last name was part of the top of the pack. Victoria Ambers, I rose from my seat and started walking on stage. I could see my parents clapping their hands and I just smiled at them.

I walked up to my principal and shook his hand before accepting my diploma. Walking over to the other side of the stage and back to my seat. This continued for another half hour before they were done handing out diplomas.

The principal then turned to the microphone and said, “Let’s applaud the class of 2030!”

The crowd cheered and clapped as my classmates and I stood up and threw our hats up in the air. Once everything calmed down, we all went to our families.

I walked up to my father, who was smiling from ear to ear. “I am so proud of you, my little bug. You did it early too. What do you want to do for your birthday tomorrow?”

I just shrugged my shoulders. My mother just laughs, “We will figure it out!!”

We walked away when I heard someone calling my name. So, I turned around and saw that it was Temperence.

She launched herself into my arms. “OMG Victoria, I can’t believe we did it. I told you that you would graduate before your birthday!!”

I just smiled. “What are we doing for your birthday tomorrow?” 

   Shrugging my shoulders, she just laughs, “We should throw a party, Victoria, and it’s not every day that my best friend gets to turn eighteen.”

 Laughing at her. “That should be fine. My parents just asked what I wanted to do for my birthday.”

She hugged me, “Ok I will go inform everyone. See you tomorrow night.”

Laughing, turning my head back to my parents. Once we made it back to my parents’ car. We sat in silence the entire way home. Once we got home, I ran up to my room to change. 

   “Victoria, can you come here?” My mother yells up the stairs.

Running back down the stairs, and my mother and father were sitting in the living room. “What’s up you yelled?”

They exchanged glances before my mother spoke. “Victoria, sit down. Your father and I have something we need to tell you!”

That concern usually meant something bad. So, I walked over to the couch and sat down between them. “What’s going on?”

My father was the first to speak. “Bug, you know your mother and I love you with all our hearts. That is why we hid this from you until you graduated!”

My father finished speaking and my mother began, “Do you remember when you asked why you don’t look like us?”

I nodded. “We told you it was because you looked like your father’s mother when she was younger, right?”

Nodding, showing I was paying attention.

My dad got up, grabbed a book from the shelf, and returned to the couch. “Bug, we adopted you when you were just a baby!”

Stunned when my father presented me with a photo album I’d never seen before. A piece of paper dropped out when I flipped it over. Picking it up, unfolded it, and there, in front of my eyes, there were adoption papers. I opened the book and could see that there was my original birth certificate. However, it did not list my parents’ names. Instead, there was a woman named Victoria Flame and under father it said unknown. 

  Looking at them with tears in my eyes. “Why did you wait so long to tell me?”

My father said they wanted to let me live my life and would tell me on graduation day. My mother was crying. Getting up, and before heading to my room, I turned to them. “Did you know my biological mother?”

They both shook their heads now, so without saying another word, I just walked back upstairs and flopped down on my bed. How could they lie to me all this time? I went to the wall, pressing my hand in to reveal the private phone my father had installed for me. I spoke my name and the video phone dialed Temperence. Temperence appeared and asked why. I looked upset.

Shaking my head, “Can you come get me now, please?”

Agreeing and ended the call. I double-checked the wall button was off, got my coat, and hurried to Temperence’s car. Once in, I just told her to drive. She left asking for nothing, just speeding off. Driving to our secret cave, we found her a few years after she got here. She parked the car a few miles back to keep it hidden from view.

    Once inside, we both sat down on the homemade chairs we made a while ago. “Alright Victoria, tell me what happen and why you needed to get out of there so quickly?”

Crying again, which made my best friend come over to me and hug me. “Victoria, what is going on? Why are you so upset?”

She just looked at me with concern clear on her face. “Temperence, I am adopted. My parents have been hiding it from me all this time.”

Her eyes went wide, “There is no way you’re adopted Victoria!!”

 Pulling out the folded pieces of paper and handed them to her. Once she looked at them, her eyes went wide, and she just wrapped me up in a hug once more. “I am so sorry, Victoria. Why would they hide that from you?”

They said it was because they wanted me to question everything.

    She just held me and let me cry for some time. “Victoria, do they know who your birth mother is?”

 Shaking my head, no, “I am so sorry Victoria, but they are your parents. Just because they are biologically not your parents doesn’t make them any less your parents.”

Lowering my head, “I know, but now I have so many questions!”

Temperence placed her hand on my shoulder. “We can figure them out after tomorrow but let us celebrate your birthday. You need it more than ever now.”

Shaking my head yes, “Now let’s get you home before they decide to check your room and start freaking out!”

I didn’t say anything, I just followed her back to the car, watching the trees as they passed by. Once we got to the house, I waved goodbye to Temperence before climbing back up the lattice to my room. I peeked in first to make sure my parents hadn’t come in.

They hadn’t yet, so I climbed back into the window and went to the computer. Maybe I could find out who she is before tomorrow. That should bring me some peace, at least.