RED

Chapter 1 Happy Birthday

Chapter 1 [Adora's POV]

It's snowing again. For some reason I never liked snow but people seem so cheerful when it snows, it's just a cold and lonely form of precipitation. Snow, it's pure white when it leaves the sky but becomes dirty once it touches the impurities on the ground. Why does it fall, all it does is show how dirty this world really is.

"Happy Birthday Adora!"

What's so happy about this day, it just marks another year being unwanted.

"Wow thanks, you shouldn't have done so much for me."

If only they knew I meant that literally. I guess I could call these people friends or just my peers I feel like that suits them better since we only know each other by chance. Gabby is probably the one who planned this "surprise" party for me. I've known her since I was three.

"Hee hee it was no biggie. Have some cake I made it myself. Hey Darius play happy birthday."

The oh so modest baker's name is Adam and his twin Darius seems to think he's the best guitar player in the world.

"Come on smile Adora, you only turn 16 once."

Ugh Gabby, I don't understand why she is always so cheerful. Doesn't she realize we've all passed the limit, we're all 16 now. Once you turn 16 it's impossible to get adopted doesn't she know that we're unwanted. I can't always fake a smile and act like everything is okay.

"What do you mean Gabby? I'm super stoked about turning 16. Now let's all have some cake." I said.

"Awesome" said the twins in unison.

"Did I hear cake. Don't mind if I have a slice?"

This was said by the owner of the Big Smiles Orphanage, Eric. I can't really find a fault with him he's just a nice guy.

"Sure have as big a slice as you want." I said.

They began to stuff their faces full of the butter cream frosted yellow cake. I used my finger to swipe some frosting off the cake. I was about to lick my finger when I felt Adam's eyes watching me. I looked over my shoulder and met his eyes, I immediately wiped my finger on a nearby napkin and avoided his downtrodden gaze. Darius saw his brother's expression and decided to play "Soul Sister" to lighten the mood.

For some reason Gabby took this as a signal and said "It's presents time!"

She ushered me to the gift table where four gifts awaited me. I grabbed a pink and blue box and opened it to reveal a blue, green and yellow knitted sweater. The sweater was knitted by Gabby and it matched the pink, black, and white sweater she was wearing.

I said "Thanks Gabby. Nice work."

She grinned, happy to hear that I liked her gift. Then I picked a bag that was yellow and purple with teal tissue paper. To my surprise I opened it only to find an oversized rag doll. The rag doll had red yarn hair black button eyes and wore a blue patchwork dress. The gift was from Eric and from the look on his face when he saw my surprise he must have realized that he made a mistake.

He said "Is that to young for you? I'm a really bad gift giver aren't I?"

I flashed a smile and said "You're not a bad gift giver. I still sleep with stuffed animals so this one will be my new favorite."

He let out a sigh of relief. I then reached for a plain white box when I looked inside it was a music box that was silver gold and black. The song the music box played was Rock a bye baby. I assumed from the type of gift that it had to be from Darius, so the last gift had to be from Adam. The last gift was in a long rectangular black box tied with a white ribbon. I opened the box and revealed a bundle of crimson orchids. The flowers were so elegantly contrasting with it's packaging that it made them look like blood.

I turned to Adam and said "They're beautiful."

Adam looked surprised and said "Those aren't from me. Darius and I bought the music box together, it was a joint gift."

I looked around the room and received shrugs indicating that none of them gave me the flowers and that they didn't know who gave them to me. I rummaged through the box and found a name card that said "Happy birthday Adora. I hope all your wishes come true. From Daniel."
I was puzzled I didn't know a Daniel, heck I barely know the people right in front of me.

I asked Eric "Is there a Daniel at the orphanage?"

He said " Yes, but he's in the west wing of the orphanage. Is he the one who gave you the flowers?"

I nodded my head and without another word I left out the room and headed toward the west wing. I don't understand how he knows me I live in the north wing and I don't talk to anyone except for the people that live with me. I may not know Daniel but I'm going to find out how he knows me.