Snippet #1926045

Damien Joles

Damien stood up as the pilot announced that they had landed at LAX. He hated the feeling of being surrounded by so many people. He noticed dozens of children excitedly chattering about Disneyland. He smiled back as one particular little boy smiled at him. Growing up he and his mother didn't have enough money to buy a plane ticket to California, much less pay for a trip to Disneyland. Still, there was a happiness that came about whenever he was around kids. He almost envied their chance at having the time of their lives while they were young. He thought back to the Qualms family. They weren't the same after what happened to Jason, but then again neither was he. Damien loved Jason's younger siblings. Andrea, Ricky, Savannah and Damien's favorite, Nick. Nick was almost like Damien's own little brother. He reminded himself that he'd have to call them to check up once everything got settled in his new "home".

Damien strolled out of the airport after getting his luggage to see a limo driver holding his name in the air. A limo. Really? They needed to flaunt their money the second I arrived? The host family he'd been assigned was the Walters family. They were probably rolling in dough and greedy beyond belief. Damien looked down at his worn jeans and plain gray hoodie, wondering how he was ever going to fit in with the rich and self-centered. For a moment he thought about turning around and demanding to be sent back to Chicago, but he reminded himself why he was there in the first place. He hopped in to the limo and waited to be dropped off at what was most likely going to be hell.