Lumai's Mind

Chapter 11: System Failure

One week later...

"No it's my turn to play with Polly!" Yelled Mimmi, the second youngest kid here, as she grabbed the stuffed panda from Ben, the youngest. They always argued over that silly toy. The small brunette looked on the verge of tears but we all knew he was tricking us.

The seven of us sat in the lounge room because 'we all needed time to bond and socialize'. Yeah.. No. Bonding meant getting attached to people that we would eventually be separated from, that is torment. Well for them, I have no problem with separation. I don't miss the people who supposedly raised me, I didn't love them and didn't need them.

"I-i waan it. Polly is my f-favourite." Ben stuttered, he was six and still had some baby talk in him.

"You had her yesterday!" The eight year old ginger yelled back. "It's. My. Turn!"

"Just stop or no one gets the panda." Warned Sergae, he was a patient level headed boy of fifteen. He turned his head back to the window, causing his short black curls to bounce around his ears. "Stupid toy." he mumbled. Mostly level headed.

I sat in the corner drawing and listening to the other kids. Just like in my old school, these kids weren't a fan of me. Neither were the ones in the new school, not that I gave them anything to like. I've been a tad more cold than usual, I'll admit but they never showed kindness either.

As it turned out this place does have a no girls and girls in the same bedrooms but they did give an exception for the twins Katja and Kian because they snuck into each other's rooms anyway. I was roomed with Mimmi, she was a ill-temped girl and who could blame her? She's been in the system for a long time because her parents were unable to take care of her. Ben and Oliver, a twelve year old Asian Australian, shared a room while Sergae had own.

"But it's my turn!" Mimmi screams. I would intervene but you know, she hates me and I'd make it worse. I make everything worse. Maybe I should have been named Pandora, I released all evil upon myself. How tragic.

"No! Mine!" Ben yelled and tried to grab the panda from Mimmi but she held on. It was turning into a full blown tug-of-war.

The two kids were yelled and yanking but you could faintly here the fabric breaking. The bear would tear in half.

"Cut it out or you'll rip the toy in half and then no one will ever get it!" I yelled. They didn't stop and the stupid toy ripped around the neck, a mini fluff explosion followed after. Mimmi fell one way and Ben fell the other, each holding half a bear. I sighed, "Here, give me Polly and I'll see if there's a sewing kit anywhere."

I held my hands out and reluctantly they both gave their piece of Polly to me with guilty and angry faces. Ben did look genuinely upset this time, Mimmi looked more upset that I was telling her what to do. I headed down the stairs to Amanda, she'd know where a sewing kit was.

As I walked in I noticed that a man and woman were talking to Amanda in the lobby. They'd be here for one of the others if anyone so I didn't bother being nice or welcoming.

"Amanda do we have a sewing kit?" I said coldly while pointedly ignoring the people. She turned to me and smiled.

"Lumai, yes we should but why? Don't answer that yet, I'll deal with it later. This is Mr and Mrs Presley, they wanted to adopt a child and are looking at all options before making a choice." she informed me and gestured to them but I still didn't pay them any mind. Amanda was a nice lady but I didn't care.

"Yeah yeah, that's great but I need a sewing kit to stitch up this stupid panda toy." I dismissed quite rudely. I said I got colder didn't I?

"Lumai, don't be so rude and watch your language!" she warned. I was being both disrespectful and bad for business. Meh.