Chapter Text
Vanessa was what the system referred to as a "problem child".
She didn't fit the mold of a perfect child by any standard: she was a bitter kid who grew up passed from house to house like it was a trade. Vanessa couldn't help but not blame them. Who would want a child like her; who picked fights in schools and got suspended, whose grades plummeted and never reached the expectations set upon her by her fosters?
Well, she'd say that if she wasn't currently being driven to her new foster family's house by her social worker, a young man in his early to mid twenties. Moon was a strange guy. He wore heavy makeup specifically around his eyes, and he always wore baggy clothing, often sporting a logo of a rock or indie band, or even a shirt with an exposed back to reveal his namesake, a giant moon tattoo plastered along the ridge of his back. Vanessa liked him, he was much more approachable than the middle aged men and women who she'd had the unfortunate chance of being with before being dropped with him.
The radio played Moon's usual playlist, a rock one this time. The words of the artist seem to flow into one verse, along with Moon's additional offkey singing. It was overall quite comforting she had to admit; as she played with the hem of her shirt as they drove into the countryside, the cities fading into the distance beneath the rumbling of the tires as trees and other foliage came front. She peered out the window of his vehicle, a shabby black Honda that he'd claimed was passed down to him by his older brother.
It didn't take much long after for them to pull into a gravel driveway to a property, labelled outside with a sign that read PRIVATE PROPERTY in bold red font. Her gut churned despite the rundown with Moon before they reached the driveway of what to expect. A family of four, one child; though not her age. She could do this. Just play polite to begin with, then do as she normally did if things turned south or she didn't like the family. Easy.
She unbuckled her seatbelt as Moon shut off the engine, removing the key from the slot. She grabbed her bag, soon following Moon after he unbuckled himself. "You ready?" He asked her, watching her expression with his dark brown eyes that looked so strange in contrast to his makeup. Vanessa looked down at her bag, then back toward him. "Yes," she responded with a murmur. He nodded his head, ushering her to follow him up the steps toward the front door. The entire house practically screamed wealthy to the point it was near nauseating. Moon glanced back at her to ensure she was alright before knocking on the door. Knock kno-knock. He soon retracted his hand, letting it rest at his side.
There was footsteps on the other side followed by a muffled "Coming!" on the other side. There was the sound of the door unlocking before it opened, revealing a man around his thirties.
He wore a simple white tanktop and some jogging shorts, his hair tied into a loose bun. "Hi!" The man greeted, "I'm Freddy, you must be Moon and Vanessa!"
Moon offered a smile back as Freddy retreated from the doorway. "Please, come in. Make yourselves comfortable. I'll be right back."
Vanessa eased the wooden door shut behind her, eyeing Freddy as he hurried down one of the two intersecting hallways leading from what she assumed to be the living room, courtesy of the mounted TV on the wall, the plush red sofa, and the multitude of other knickknacks she associated with such. Vanessa readjusted her grip on the bag she was holding, spying the beginnings of the kitchen past the living room. "You alright down there, Ness?" Moon asked, causing her to revert her attention back to him.
"Mhmm," is all she says, and Moon leaves it there to the silence. Thankfully, not long after the exchange Freddy returned, three people in tow.
"This is everyone, alright!" Freddy clapped his hands together, causing Vanessa to involuntarily flinch. Freddy doesn't seem to notice, but Moon gently sets his hand on her shoulder comfortingly. "Introductions are due. You already know me. I'm Freddy Glam, but you can just call me Freddy. These are my husbands; Monty Glam and Bonnie Glam." He waved his hand to each one individually, who returned it with either a smile or a wave. Or both. "-and this is our son, Gregory. Do you want to say hello, superstar?"
Held gently in Bonnie's arms was a seven year old boy who looked half asleep. He regards Vanessa with a blink, before mumbling out a "he'lo," before dipping his head into the crick of his father's neck, probably to go back to sleep. Or go to sleep to begin with. Freddy smiled brightly, a fond look overtaking the older man's face. He looked back to Moon and Vanessa, though primarily Vanessa. She tensed, evading eye contact. Freddy only keeps smiling, before looking toward Moon with that same smile. It made her skin crawl.
"Thank you, Moon. I think we have all the paperwork filled out already, correct?"
"You do. If anything pops up, you have my number." Moon responded, before looking down at Vanessa. He lowered down to one knee, resting a hand on one of her shoulders. "If anything occurs to the point you're uncomfortable, you know what to do." He told her softly, before getting back up to his feet.
"Bye, Ness." Moon called after her as he opened the door, soon closing it as he descended down the stairs outside.
Leaving her once again in a house filled with strangers.