Blades

2 (Revamped)

I enjoyed redoing this chapter. Enjoy.❤️

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(If you see any errors, don't be shy, comment and let me know. Thx!)

This book takes place in 2021.

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Xamani and Ashton sat side by side in the study, talking amongst themselves as kids continued to enter.

The kids were indeed right and a meeting was about to be held. Xamani still didn't care though, but Ashton sure did. She talked on and on, thinking of any, and every possibility.

"Maybe it's about the food they serve. Maybe they want us to make suggestions on what WE want because they realized that that food ain't the best." She scrunches up her face. "Or maybe someone's getting adopted...but that can't be possible...we don't have meetings for that." She looks at Xamani. "What do you think?"

Xamani shrugs. "I don't know-"

"I got it! What if it's a celebrity! That-"

Before Ashton could talk Xamani's ear off anymore, Tammy, the owner enters. "Alright, quiet down, children, I have some very exciting news!" She exclaims, snapping her fingers. She was a very well-put-together woman, happily married with three kids.

The study becomes silent, all eyes on her, eager to know what was going on.

"We believe that exploring is a very important part of life and that everyone

 should be allowed at it. So with that being said, we've decided to pair you up with-not a therapist but- a friend who you can get to know over time."

"What is that supposed to mean?" someone asks.

"Yeah! I already have friends, see look I can count them out!" A five-year-old girl stands from her seat and begins pointing out certain kids in the room, counting aloud.

Tammy chuckles. "I see, Brandy." The little girl smiles and nods her head, proud as the beads on the ends of her braids clatter. "But the team and I want to try something new. Yeah, you guys do have your friends here but it's good to expand out further, see newer faces."

The study erupts in chatter. A small number of kids were happy but the majority were not. Someone even said, "That's stupid." And that it was, especially to Xamani. There were over one hundred kids at Happy Hill Orphanage, how many more faces did they need to see?

"Hey! Let's not get off track, quiet down!" Tammy orders, causing them to listen. "Now, we also believe that communication is a very important part of life and we want to help you all evolve in that aspect which means-"

Communication my ass. Xamani thought. She already does that enough with Ashton, and she can get annoying. She takes a glance at her and to no surprise, she was smiling hard. She was a social butterfly so this concept was one she liked. Xamani rolls her eyes then looks back at Tammy, raising her hand. "Is this mandatory?" she asks, cutting her off.

"Yes, it is." Xamani sucks her teeth. "We want to give you all a chance to express yourselves with someone new, along with being able to leave the premises, get some fresh air."

Xamani shakes her head. "I'm fine right here. Ion needa new friend. And if I wanna go outside I can just go outback." There was a playground and basketball court in the back. That's where most kids spent their time and so did Ashton and Xamani if they weren't chilling in each other's rooms.

Tammy laughs at her statement. "I also want you all to find your full potential and that means stepping out of your comfort zone. And by the sounds of it, this looks like the path you should be taking."

Xamani felt offended. "Wha-"

"Any more questions?"

Xamani clenches her jaw. She didn't like to be cut off. It irritated her. She instinctively reaches for her blade and as if on cue, Ashton's hand goes flying to Xamani's, stopping her from grabbing the sharp item. Xamani snaps her head to Ashton with a mug. She could feel herself about to go off any minute now and she wasn't planning on holding anything back.

Ashton's eyes are sincere as she shakes her head no and as quick as Xamani's irritation started, it ended and her face softens. She slowly inhales then exhales, something Ashton taught her to do, then slightly nods her head causing Ashton to let her hand go.

"Well then." Tammy looks to her right and a caregiver hands her a stack of papers. "Here is a document. Your person's name, age, and any other information is on this paper." She hands the stack to one of the kids gesturing for them to take one and pass it down. It took quite a while though as they had to find their names.

Stupid. Xamani thought.

"Take the time to look at it now because tomorrow they'll be showing up to take you out."

"Huh?!" Xamani exclaims, sitting up straight, her hands flying to the table, causing a loud bang.

Was Tammy out of her mind? How could she allow a stranger to take them without notice? Where was the consent? A few kids gasp at the sudden outburst and all eyes were on Xamani now. Brandy from across the room scoots closer to one of her friends.

"I'm scared," she says, timidly.

Ashton grips Xamani's arm and pulls her back. "Calm down, you're scaring them." Xamani looks around then sucks her teeth, yanking away from Ashton. She didn't care who she was scaring. What she cared about was Tammy giving her up to a stranger. And in less than twenty four hours.

"Is there a problem?" Tammy asks.

"Yeah, it is-"

"No ma'am, she's sorry about that," Ashton looks at Xamani with raised eyebrows, silently pleading her to stop, "right?"

Xamani slouches in her seat. "Right," she grumbles. When she gets her paper, she immediately scans over it with a scowl.

Cherish E. Bailey
Date of Birth: January 13, 2004 (17 years of age)

Enjoys: Nature, planting, deep conversations, meditating, sun gazing, enligh-

Xamani stops reading, not believing anything on the sheet. She didn't like phonies. People who faked their identities. A "fake it till you make it" kinda person. They did anything to get what they wanted, even if that meant being a kiss-up.

After the meeting Xamani went to her room and laid down, tossing a football in the air with more force than needed. Her face was scrunched up as she thought about what Tammy said.

"And by the sounds of it, this looks like the path you should be taking."

Tammy didn't know Xamani, no one really knew Xamani, only she did, with an exception of Ash. How was Tammy gonna tell her that's what she needed? Xamani knew what she needed, and it wasn't this.

She cradles the football in hand and looks at the document laying next to her. Although this was nowhere near close to being adopted, it was up there on her radar and she didn't like that one bit.

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