All He Needed Was A Friend

Prologue

I glanced at the fence of my "home." This was the third time they had made me switch orphanages because the other children became "violent" around me. It wasn't my fault though. I don't know why they hate me, but it doesn't matter if I know or not, because those people, the "social workers", say it's my fault. So they move me. If this trend keeps up, I'll end up leaving this place in another two years. I sighed. This place would be the same. I would go sit in a corner and someone else would just randomly come up and attack me for no reason. Was I cursed? I pondered this as the social worker practically dragged me out of the car.

"This is Beatrix Arthur. Keep an eye on this one she's been known to be troublesome, had to move her two times before this time," the social worker whispered to the lady standing at the door.

"Thank you for your concern," the lady stated, "Come on girl." I followed the lady into the bleak and worn-down building. She led me through various hallways to a door in a long corridor. "You will be staying here," the lady pointed at the door. I looked at the door and opened it. Inside was a single bed and a bookcase along with a desk. "Due to your violent history, you will be staying alone. Don't let me catch you causing trouble," the lady threatened. I walked inside and heard the door shut behind me. Well at least I won't have to worry about a roommate bothering me. I took my backpack off and removed my few possessions: a pendant belonging to my family, a couple books, and an old leather watch that my mom had given me before leaving me at the first orphanage. I glanced at my watch and saw it was 4:30 p.m. So dinner is in thirty minutes.

I wandered out of my room and down the hall, finding myself at a staircase that descended into a large mess hall. It was empty, but the back doors were open leading to a courtyard where children were playing. I walked down the stairs and into the court area. I saw a group of girls playing jump rope and some boys playing basketball, but in a far off corner a single boy sat all alone. It seemed quiet over there, peaceful even if it was left undisturbed. I decided to go over to the corner.

"Hi," I addressed the boy who was reading a novel about math, multiplication to be exact. The boy glanced up at me and then looked back down ignoring me. I frowned, but proceed to sit down next to him on the bench which seemed to annoy him. "You know it's only polite to answer back when someone says hello," I corrected.

"Go away," the boy murmured.

"Maybe I don't want to," I responded. The boy glanced over at me seemingly curious as to why I was here. I pulled out my book on Algebra and began to read; memorizing the advanced formulas and what not. I noticed the other boy was staring at the book.

"You're reading about algebra?" he asked.

"Yea," I answered. He glanced back down at his book and closed it.

Offering his hand, he said, "My name's Tom."

I shook his hand, smiled, and said, "Nice to meet you Tom. I'm Beatrix."

"Can I ask you a question?" Tom asked.

"Sure," I answered reading through a lesson on quadratic equations.

"Do you like learning? Most kids here don't..." Tom stated.

"I've had a lot of time for it so I suppose yes. After all, I don't really have friends," I stated nonchalantly.

"You're new here," Tom stated staring at me with moderate interest.

"I just got here a few minutes ago," I confirmed.

"Well what do we have here? The freak found another freak," a boy laughed. I glanced up to find a boy sneering down at me and Tom. I looked up at him and willed him to go away, to leave here before he got me in trouble. Tom didn't say anything and just looked down at his book. Maybe this is the usual for him.... I guess I'm not the only one.