Orphan ~ Max X Neil fanfiction ~

Chapter 5

Last night was surprisingly rough. Even though I don't necessarily miss my parents, I still felt weird waking up in a completely new environment and without them screaming at each other for whatever reason. I stayed under the covers for a minute, I could hear the movement of multiple people walking around the center. Huh, I've never actually said it out loud before. I am now an orphan I guess. I now live in an adoption center or housing center whatever they call it. These random kids are now by law my siblings and Gwen is now my bitch of a caregiver.

"Max, get up."

"... No."

"Look you little shit, if you don't get up I'm letting Nerf eat your waffles. So go bathe and come to the lounge."

And then there was a pause, sweet silence filling the room just for a moment. I sighed and closed my eyes again beneath the covers before they were then yanked off of me so quick that I could still feel its warmth, all before an almost bone chilling draft shook me from my drowsiness.

"What the hell Gwen! Can't you see I was trying to ignore you?"

"It's too early for me to care, so either get up and get ready for school or you can stay home and watch cheesy rom-coms with me while I do paperwork."

I visibly shivered. I couldn't tell if it was due to me still being blanket-less or if it was my body's reaction to learning that Gwen genuinely enjoys romantic comedies. I lifted my arm and covered my eyes with it, groaning briefly before throwing both legs over the side of the bed. Gwen smirked before tossing my blanket near the foot of the bed and leaving the room. I sat there a few more seconds after she left before huffing out and standing up, slowly trudging into the hall. The once muffled conversations of the other kids were now more clear as I continued my slow trek to the bathroom. I reach up and scratch my cheek before pushing the door open and walking into one of the stalls.

I yawned while pulling down my pajama pants and beginning to go. I blinked a few times to try and get the sleep from my eyes before I eventually began looking at the stall walls as a way to focus on not falling back asleep. Just like every child-ridden bathroom, the stalls were littered with sloppy graffiti of peoples names and bad puns. There were even some wellness checks and positive quotes that I just knew had to be from either Tabii or Dolf.

I pull my pants back up and walk out of the stall, the automatic flush of the toilet helping pull me from my drowsiness. I then stride up to the long multi person sink, looking into the mirror and examining my early-morning state. The dark circles that are normally present under my eyes aren't as prominent which is proof that even if I feel like I didn't sleep well, I actually slept better than normal. Then, my loose, curly black hair that normally has some shine to it was really dry and tangled. I huff slightly before taking my hands and roughly tousling them through my hair, bringing back some of its shape. I look in the mirror once more at my now volumized hair before walking back into the hallway.

The once muffled voices of my peers were now louder as I walked back into my room to change. I grabbed my blue hoodie from the door where Tabii hung it up and quickly put it on before grabbing and sliding my sock-clad feet into my red converse. I mess with my hair more while walking towards the main lobby area where everyone was. Tabii was first to notice me entering the room, quickly making a scene out of it.

"Good morning Max! Gwen made waffles!"

"And by made, you mean put in the toaster..." I say while observing the obviously placed waffle box on the counter. She shrugs before sliding a plate over to me and then digging back into her waffles. I examine the overly topped waffles and roll my eyes before sitting down. I don't even bother with a fork, so I just grab the waffle and bite into it. The syrup and apparently hidden chocolate chips flooding my taste buds caused my eyes to widen slightly. I looked around as discreetly as possible before going in for another bite of this sweet breakfast sensation only for Gwen to trudge into the room.