White Oleander

Astrid goes home with Rena Grushenka, a Russian woman who drives a Grateful Dead-inspired van and offers Astrid a cigarette. Astrid is a year away from adulthood and counting down the days until she no longer has to depend on strangers. They eventually pull into a dingy town off the freeway where most houses have bars on the windows. Astrid is greeted by Yvonne, who is around her age and pregnant. Yvonne takes little interest in Astrid other than threatening her against touching her belongings. Astrid unpacks and puts her things under her new bed, comparing them to a graveyard of her past selves. Astrid then meets Niki, who judges her hair and the bruises on her face. On her first morning, Astrid and the other girls are awakened by Rena before sunrise. She drives them around as the girls rifle through garbage bags and grab everything of any value. Afterward, Rena buys them coffee and a donut. Rena never cooks, and neither do any of the girls. Astrid then starts school the same day, eager to finish and become independent.