Riker's Precious Child

Chapter One

Ms. Posey called a meeting down in the orphanage lobby. I came out of my room and went down. I'd been here for over a year and none of these meetings were ever good news for me. Either we were about to get chewed out or someone wanted to adopt a little kid. No one ever wanted us older ones. I was 14 and had a feeling that I'd be here for the next four years. Once a kid turned 7 or 8, it was like no one wanted them. I never had a chance. I came here when I was 13 and no one even considered adopting me since then. My dad died in he military when I was a baby. My mom passed away from cancer last year. I had no aunts or uncles to take me in. And my only living grandparents had moved to Australia after retiring and didn't want to take me in and have me sent across the world to them. So I'd been stuck in an orphanage.
I made my way down and took a spot off to the side by myself. I had no friends here. All the kids here bullied me. They called me "that cancer girl" since that's what my mom died from. Whenever I walked by, they would hold their breath and call out to each other to not get close to me because they'd get infected with cancer. But I didn't even have it and it's not a contagious disease. What they did really got to me and I just resorted to staying in my room all the time. I only came out for meals and meetings.
Ms.Posey: alright boys and girls listen up. Today, we have a young man coming to adopt a child, any age, boy or girl.
That got my attention. That never happens.
Ms. Posey: he said he wants to keep his mind open and not limit age or gender. He will be here in not too long and interview each of you. He plans on making a decision today so tonight, one of you wont be here. You will have new home, a happier life. You have an hour until the first interview. We will go in alphabetical order, so Macy Adams, you're first. Be in my office ready by 8. Ok. You are dismissed.
While everyone else sat around and chattered, I went up to my room. I had to look my best. This might be only chance to be adopted. I found my only non stained shirt and a pair of jeans. They were ripped at the knee but they were the only pair I owned that actually fit me. I got dressed and brushed my hair and teeth. I heard a knock on my door. I went to open it knowing exact who it would be. You know how I said I had no friends here? I take that back. I have one. But that's it. Just this one.
Me: hey Tate
Richard Taylor McGill, aka Tate, short for Taylor. He came here about 5 months ago. He is 13. Never came out of his room except to visit me in mine. His parents died in a car crash. He used the excuse that he was still really emotionally pained from their death to stay in his room and be excused from meals and meetings. I brought food to his room. Most people didn't even know he was here. But I did. I met him when he first got here. We bonded immediately. We really understood each other.
Tate: hey Lila
I opened the door more and allowed him to come in. He walked to my bed and sat down. I sat beside him.
Tate: heard you got an interview today
Me: yes! This guy doesn't care about age. I might actually have a chance!
Tate: im happy for you
Me: wait. Are you not getting interviewed?
Tate: nah, Ms. Posey offered but I told her no.
Me: why? You wanna stay here until you're 18?
Tate: that's not it
Me: then what is it?
Tate: well can I tell you something I've never told anyone?
Me: of course. You know you can
Tate: my dad died immediately in the crash but my mom didn't. She died the next day in the hospital. When she was there, she wrote two letters. Actually a nurse wrote them for her and my mom told her what to say. One was for me. I was to open it once I got here at the orphanage. It explained the other. The other one was sent to a friend of hers with a request, that they adopt me. After about a year, they were to come and pick me up from here. I hold onto the hope that they will come. That I will live with someone who knew my mom. I don't want anyone else to adopt me. So I not allowing that possibility. I'll just stay in my room like always.
Wow why had he not told me this before? This was a big deal!
Me: wow Tate. That awesome! But what if this guy today is that friend? Looking for you?
Tate: it's not
Me: how do you know?
Tate: he would've just asked about me. Plus it hasn't been a year yet. Only 5 months.
Me: true do you know his friends name?
Tate: no it wasn't in the letter which I thought was weird. But my mom was dying so she probably just forgot to tell me who it was
Me: oh well he will find you, I have no doubt.
We stayed in my room for a while talking about anything and everything. I waited for Ms. Posey to come and get me for my interview but she never did. Lunch came first. Tate went to his room and I went down to eat. I got a sandwich and sat all by myself. Like always. I started eating and heard a voice behind me.
Guy: Can I sit here?
I turned around surprised. I saw a guy about six feet tall with blonde hair sweeping across his face. I'd never seen him before in my life but I still seemed to recognize him...
Me: sure
I couldn't figure out who he was or why he was here. Then it hit me. This is the guy who is wanting to adopt a kid today. Ms. Posey said he was young. She wasn't kidding. His guy couldn't be more than 25. I didn't see a wedding room so he wasn't even married yet. Why did he want a kid? He sat down to my right and I fidgeted awkwardly. I hadn't eaten lunch with anybody in over a year.
Guy: my name's Riker by he way, Riker Anthony Lynch.
Riker. From R5? No way! That's how I recognized him. I was a big r5 fan before my mom got sick. I used to have posters of them all over my room. But since she died,I was torn from the things that I used to love. I found no joy in them anymore.
Riker: what's your name?
Me: Lila
Riker: full name
Me: Lila Ren Zachery
Riker: Ren... I like that
I smiled shyly
Riker: so Renna, I'm gonna call you that if you don't mind, what are you doing eating all by yourself?
Me: I always eat by myself
Riker: why? I'm sure you have plenty of friends who'd love to sit with you, Renna.
Me: that's a lie. Nobody loves me here.
Riker looked like he wanted to say something but didn't know what to say. I smiled at him to make him feel better, let him know that I was ok with that fact. We sat in silence for a little while.
Me: so you're adopting today right?
Riker: yup
Me: who you thinking?
Riker: I don't think I'm allowed to say.
Me: how many more interviews you have left?
Riker: just one
Me: I take it that's me?
Riker: guess so!
Me: cool... You know I hate the way this whole thing works!
Riker: why?
Me: it's like the people are shopping for a new pet not adopting a son or daughter.
Riker: how is that?
Me: they always want the cute young ones. When you get a dog you usually go for a cute adorable little puppy not the older wounded dog. These people always adopt the cutest little girls with biggest smile and brightest eyes. Not us older ones who are more wounded with the death of our parents forever scarring us. The glimmer has been taken out of our eyes and our smiles faded. We are the unwanted ones with wounded hearts.
Riker: well Renna that's a good point. And that's kinda why I'm here.
I looked at him confused.
Me: to adopt a cute little young precious child?
Riker: no, to give a home and love to an older, wounded, scarred, precious child.
I smiled. This guy was different. This guy was something special. he smiled back at me.
Riker: you know I think I've made my decision. I'm going to talk to Ms. Posey. See you around Renna.
Me: alright bye Riker.
My heart fell. He'd chosen one of those other kids. Before even interviewing me. He didn't even want an interview with me. My hopes had gotten up for nothing. I threw my trash away and ran upstairs to my room. I started sobbing. After awhile though I ran out of tears. I just laid there staring at my pitiful room that I'd be stuck in for e next four years. There was a knock on my door.
Me: come in
I expected Tate but instead saw Ms. Posey.
Ms. Posey: Lila, come downstairs with me to my office.
No emotion showed in her voice. Great. Just great. Riker had told her what I'd said and now I was in trouble. I should never had even talked to him. I'd get in so much trouble for this. I might get sent to another orphanage away from Tate. I wouldn't be able to live completely alone. I had to have someone and the only person I had was Tate. I followed Ms. Posey down to her office. I walked in and saw Riker sitting in there. He saw me and smiled.
Ms. Posey: Lila, Mr. Lynch just finished filling out your adoption papers.