After setting off a sprinkler system and flooding a gymnasium’s locker room when you overheard a group of girls talking about you, you sit at the dining room table and watch your foster-mother, Addie, pace angrily back and forth in front of you. \n\nAddie says,"I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. You know better than to do that, Harper."\n\nYou say:\n[["I only did it because of what I heard them say."|a]]\n[["I'm sorry. I promise it'll never happen again."|b]]\n[["It's not that big of a deal."|c]]
Addie says, "It's okay. I was just like you when I was your age, so I understand you, Harper. Really I do.” Addie looks at Harper and smiles. “How about we head over to the school and talk to your coach--together this time?”\n\nYou say:\n[["But what if I mess up again?"|end 2]]
"You just need a little bit of practice and a bit of guidance, that's all." Addie says.\n\nAnd you reply:\n[["No offense, but in my case I think its better said than done."|end 2]]
Addie replies,"What did you just say?”\n\nAnd you say:\n[["Nothing. Can we skip to the part where you ground me, send me up to my room and ignore me now?”|10]] \n[["Nothing. I'm just upset because no one at school seems to like me."|11]]
Addie says, "That's not the point, Harper. Do you know you could have hurt someone? Those girls' parents want to press charges."\n\nYou reply:\n[["I'm not surprised. Everyone there has wanted me gone since the first day of school. I know they don't like me."|11]]\n[["Let them! See if I care!"|10]]
Addie busters back,"You better start caring. You've only just started at this school, Harper. Do you want to start over again?"\n\nYou reply:\n[["No, I don't. But I just don't see the point. No one likes me."|11]]\n[["Yes, I do. I hate it here and I hate that school, too."|10]]
Addie says,"No 'buts', Harper. We had an agreement when you moved in: no computers or hacking of any kind. I'm just disappointed with your actions right now."\n\nAnd you say:\n[["You mean you're disappointed with me."|12]]\n[["You're not going to send me back to the shelter now, are you?"|13]]
Addie sighs and says, "No, I'm not, but while you're under my care and live under my roof, you have to follow my rules."\n\nYou say:\n[["You don't want me to have any fun, do you?"|12]]\n[["It kind of sounds like you want to get rid of me."|13]]
Addie folds her arms and says,"Don't lie to me, Harper. You'll only make things worse."\n\nYou decide to say:\n[["Okay, okay, you're right. I really did do it. Those soccer moms must be giving you a lot of grief. What do they want?"|14]]\n[["Make things worse? Have I caused you that much trouble being here?"|15]]
Branching Dialogue
Addie says,"That doesn't justify it, Harper. It was stupid and irresponsible.Do you know how much water flooded that locker room?"\n\nYou reply:\n[[“Why are you taking their side?”|end 1]]\n[["I'll try to work off any of the damages.”|2]]\n[["Not nearly enough, if you ask me.” |3]]
Addie smiles and says, "I know things have been hard for you lately, Harper. Especially at school. And maybe that's on me and maybe it's because you haven't given them the chance to get to know you. Whatever the reason, you must always remember that it's okay to be different and it's okay to be you." You hop up and out of your chair and latch onto Addie. She kneels down and returns the hug, planting a kiss on the top of your forehead. And you smile realizing that you've finally found a place, a home that you can call your own with someone to look out for you and protect you.\n\n\nThe End.
Addie says,"Well maybe you'll think the next time you act. Your actions always have consequences." You nod and look down at the sole of your shoes and realize that your actions were immature and reckless. Before any of the stray tears can slip out of your eyes, Addie leans down and pulls you into a reassuring hug. You gladly hug her back with the realization that Addie isn't trying to change or punish you, but help you. And you're so grateful to have someone like her looking out for you.\n\n\nThe End.
Addie approaches and pulls you into a hug and you hug her back, as she says, "Oh Harper, I'm not taking anyone's side. I'm only on your side." And you know that she means it with all her heart.You sniff away the tears threatening to surface and relish in the fact that you've finally discovered what it means to have someone looking out for you.\n\n\nThe End.
"Absolutely, not." Addie says."My one and only concern is protecting you and that means doing my best to keep you out of trouble."\n\nYou say:\n[["Those girls were really mean. I bet their parents want to press charges, right?"|14]]\n[["I'm sorry. I don't know why I always cause trouble."|20]]
Addie says,"Well, I don't know that it won't happen again. I'm grounding you."\n\nSo you reply:\n[["But, Addie!"|4]]\n[["Go ahead! I don't care."|5]]\n[["That's not fair."|end 3]]\n[["You're not my mother. I don't have to listen to you."|6]]
Addie says,"No, but their parents have been calling me none-stop."\n\nYou say:\n[["What do they want?"|14]]\n[["I'm sorry. I don't know why I cause so much trouble."|15]]
Addie says,"Are you kidding? There isn't anyone who wouldn't adore you, Harper."\n\nYou reply:\n[["Wanna bet? Even my gym coach treats me differently because I'm a slow runner. I'm sure she'd be happy to see me leave the school."|12]]\n[["Do you mean it?"|end 2]]
Addie says,"There's no need for the attitude, Harper. You always catch more bees with honey, than with vinegar."\n\nYou say:\n[["You sure it doesn't depend on the type of bees? None of those honey traps seem to work for me."|21]]\n[["I might not be able to ever do those honey traps. Do you think you'd still want me around?"|16]]
Addie says,"It's a huge deal, Harper. They want to suspend you."\n\nYou shout back:\n[["Go ahead, let them! I don't care!"|5]]\n[["That's not fair!"|end 3]]\n[["But, they weren't hurt or anything!"|8]]\n[["But I'm innocent!"|9]]
Addie says, "Harper, that's not it at all and you know that."\n\nYou say:\n[["Isn't it? I bet you care more about what people are going to say about you because of me and you'll ignore the fact that I was being bullied."|13]]\n[["How can I know? Ever since I got here, I feel like everyone's been against me, including you."|end 2]]
Addie says,"It's no trouble at all, Harper. You're a kid. I just want you to understand that you don't respond to bullying or teasing with more bullying,okay?"\n\nYou say:\n[["Yeah, I guess you're right. It's just been hard in school for me."|end 2]]
Addie sighs and says,"They want to know why I haven't taught my daughter how to behave."\n\nSo you reply:\n[["Are you saying that you want to adopt me?"|16]]\n[["Your daughter? I wish. Honestly, I feel like all I do is cause trouble for you, Addie."|20]]
Addie smiles and replies, "Yes, I would, if you that's okay with you."\n\nAnd you say:\n[["Yes, it's okay with me...but are you sure you're not making a mistake?"|end 2]]
Gianna Jackson