A Dream

Chapter 3

16

  I am in the final year of my orphanhood. In november, I will be free from my prison. The excitement of seeing father overwhelms me. I am not as enthusiastic as when I was younger, but I still have that flame of hope. When I walk down the hall now, people look at me with respect. Respect from punching Elain. I got my fair share of punishment, but she also got hers. Every time she sees me, she bows her head and hurries off. 

  I have become quite the ruffian. I take pleasure in taking out my anger on others. But of course, I am not into random, pointless violence.  If I am angered, I come up with devilish schemes. I am more happy than I was before, and other girls know to treat me well. I see Alana again. I nod at her, and she scurries off. She gets me my writing work (or rather, her writing work) and I read it. “Not bad, but make a few more mistakes next time. It has to be believable.” she nods, and I dismiss her with a wave of my hand.

  I reach for my bag and see an edge of an envelope. I stuff the writing work in my bag and I take out the envelope. I frown as I turn it around. It is an envelope with the words “Deverache Laira Veracanza” on it. 

~

  I... I can’t believe it. I clutch it to my heart. Sumatra is still doing her job. I start to open it with shaking hands. Tears are falling. As I unravel the thin, white cord, I start hyper-ventilating. My heart is beating like a locomotive runaway train. More tears. I wipe them away to see the formal, black and white printed information. Then, I shove it back in. I am scared. Scared and confused and happy. What if he is not the dream father I always wanted? What if he is? What if there is nothing about him there? What if... Something just goes wrong? Something is bound happen. I bet. But I have been waiting for this moment all my life. Why am I so confused? Why is this so hard? I rush to my dormitory, and I push the envelope into my drawer. I feel faint.  I sit on my bed, and everything blacks out.