Three Days to Change Our Future

DAY 2 - 8

Trix and I arrived at a half past six, everyone already sat on their seats when we opened the door. Luckily for us, Matron was still not there yet. Trix guided me to our spot, which was crowded with children and teenagers. We got seats further away than we expected, but we can still see the Matron's favourite armchair from here.

Fifteen minutes later, Matron entered the halls with a cane. The children stood up to greet her politely. Her grey eyes scan the room intently. With a smile, she greets her youngsters and asks us to sit on the seats. Everyone in the hall sits down as Matron relaxes in her chair.

There are more than one hundred orphans in this hall, including me. However, some of them are still staying even though they are already coming of age. It's because Matron lets them stay until they can settle in with their job and home. Not only that, she gives foods to our former fellow inhabitants who don't have enough money for buying groceries.

That's why she is loved by us.

"Is Viona here?"

Startled by Trix's pinching on my side, I stood up immediately.

"Ah! Yes! I'm here!"

There were some chuckles around me. It's made me nervous, yet my eyes still look straightforward. Matron looks happy to see me.

"Good morning, Viona. How are you?"

"I feel better than ever, Madame. Thank you for asking me," I bowed to her like the one she taught me before, "I hope you enjoyed this beautiful day too."

Everyone looks at me like I have three heads. Even my best friend stares at me like she doesn't recognize me. It suddenly occurred to me that something didn't sit right with what I was doing.

Oh, crap. I forgot that I usually only greet people with good morning at this age. Hopefully, my current self was doing it right, so Matron didn't need to ask me.

Little by little, applauses were heard from every corner. I looked around to glimpse others clapping their hands.

Fuuh... I'm lucky that they didn't notice anything strange from me...

My heartbeat speeds up as I notice Matron gazing at me with warm grey eyes.

Ah, is this what having parents feels like? Thank goodness, I can feel that once more before death comes for me...

"Excellent greetings, Viona."

Matron clapped her hands and said, "you did your best. I can see how much you train for this, my dear."

"Thank you, Matron..." Both of my cheeks feel warm, yet I can't stop smiling, "It's thanks to you too that I can learn to speak politely."

"No, darling... I barely taught you, and you have already grown so much," Matron said, her gaze fixed on me.

How can this woman so much humble?

Matron has raised me since I was a baby. She taught me to read, write, and count numbers. Surely, Matron is a saint, and she deserved to be happy in the afterlife. I wanted to tell her that, but she already told me to sit down.

When I settle back into my seat, Trix keeps glancing at me. Then, my hand clasped hers while I mouthed silent gratitude. My best friend's cheeks turned rosy when her hand was still being caressed by mine.

Her hand feels cold and soft, a bit different from other children when we shook our hands. Is it only me or is Trix even a human at this point?

"Viona?"

I quickly released my hand from hers, "ah. Sorry, I was in deep of thought."

"It's alright. I just wanted to remind you that Matron already assigned our group to clean the warehouse."

"I see... "I nodded, "let's get going then. The more quickly we can clean it, the more early we can enjoy our breakfast."

Trix blinked several times.

"What did you do before I came into your bedroom last night?"

My eyes widened, "only sleeping. Why are you asking me that?"

"Nothing. Let's go to the warehouse."

Then, she left mestanding there. When I realized that she already walked away from the hall, Iquickly followed her while pacing my feet. Thankfully, my feet could catch herup as we walked together to the warehouse.