When The Wall Breaks || JustWriteIt

~Five~

Dedicated to xlivinginmyownworldx because I'm in love with her story, Flying Without Wings.  You dudes def need to read it because even though it's currently two chapters in, I'm hooked.  I may have also read her Storybird stuff, so I know she's an awesome writer, but not the point.  The point is go read her works, I promise 1000000000000% you will not be disappointed.

EnJOy!!

~Rae~

"No."  That one calm word combined with the indifferent look on Rae's face,  was enough to disguise the war of fear and turmoil ripping through her gut.  

"Rayleigh, I think you misunderstood.  I said that they are willing to adopt, even with your...sketchy past."  

On first glance the Sister's face seemed kind and patient, but it took Rae exactly 30 seconds to see there was frustration and some hidden message underneath her sweet mask.  And, as much as Rae would've loved to storm out in the most flashy, dramatic way possible, she wasn't leaving until she knew exactly what the Sister was trying to hide.

"I understood perfectly, Sister, and it seems, rather that you misunderstand.  As I recall, your rules include the fact that, on request, you give the orphan over 12 years of age, a trial week with the possibles, as well as a decision week.   And, if I remember correctly, I'm only a few months from 18, so I'm requesting my two weeks."

Rae had figured it out.  It was a cry for mercy and a plead for compliance.  It was an extremely selfish message for a nun, which explained why she was trying to hide it.  In fact it was suspiciously unusual.  Rae was so absorbed in pondering what her discovery meant, that she forgot her training and for a brief moment, her facade slipped.

 "Huh?"  It was rare for someone to catch Rae off guard, and she hated having to utter such phrases of ignorance.  But it was necessary to cover her slip.

"I said, I thought we taught you better, Rayleigh.  All these years, we have slaved over trying to teach you basic mannerisms.  So why haven't you grasped them, you selfish, ungrateful, child?"

"Sister, what are you trying to say?"  

The nun dropped her honey mask, and leaned forward, with a harsh whisper she quickly spoke, "Listen Rayleigh, we took in you in even though you were the most suspicious thing we have ever met.  No last name, no records, nothing that would connect you to anything.  We've spent years trying to figure you out, but nothing is available. We took you in our esteemed institute, and all you've done is mar our reputation. We've had it.  Technically we cannot kick you out, but we can force you to leave, and just like there is no information about you, you have no power.  Without official documents, you can't do anything.  So here's what you're going to do.  Today you will entertain the college volunteers to throw off suspicion.  In exactly two days, you will accept the trial period, and after that you will accept the adoption.  You will go with this family and live happily ever after blah, blah blah.  Understood?"

Yawning, Rae lifted a hand to her mouth and shrugged at the nun's reddening face.  

"Sure.  My acting skills need some practice anyway.  But you listen to me, Sister, I'll play along with your attempt to get rid of me, but in the end, things are going to go my way."

Then she stood up, smiled and practically skipped out of the room, while speaking loud enough for people to hear, but not suspiciously loud, said, "Thank you, Sister!"

She sent a wink at the tomato-red nun, and exited the room.  She rounded the corner, and made sure no one was looking, before letting her mask fall.  She grabbed her headphones from her pocket and plugged them in to the age-old device, Rae had snuck into her pocket earlier.

She pressed the play button and voices began to play.  

'...happily ever after blah, blah, blah.  Understood?'

Smiling to herself she continued down the pristine hallway.  Seems like the Sister had just lost her own happily ever after.

***

"Hello, I'm Rae and I'll be showing y'all around today."

Rae was shaken, her hands trembled, her leg wouldn't quit bouncing, and her voice threatened to give her away, but years of practice paid off, and instinct kicked in.  Rae had realized, at an early age, that the best instinct was one that hid your moments of weakness.  Her hands naturally hid themselves in the folds of her clothes, making her seem polite, yet eager.  Her other leg began to bounce, disguising her shaking as innocent excitement.  Her voice pitched higher to falsely pass off the wavering as natural.  

Her speedy reactions ensured that the pair in front of her didn't realize how spooked she was.

First Rae had seen the girl.  It was hard not to.  The girl was stunning, with gorgeous brown curls cascading down her back and framing her delicate, heart-shaped face.  They contrasted perfectly with her dewy, cocoa-colored skin.  She was as tall as Rae, but held her height with elegant grace, rather than the cocky swagger Rae used.  Her striking hazel eyes, made up for her jutting nose, and small, flat lips, but those flaws made her seem so much more naturally beautiful.  Rae had gathered that with one look, and spared a few extra seconds to analyze her facial expressions.  She saw the obvious telltale hint of the unknown crush this girl had on her companion, but nothing that screamed warning.

So Rae turned to analyze the other volunteer.  He was tall, and muscular in a lean way.  His long fingers suggested that he played an instrument, but the lack of dents showed that he hadn't played in a while.  He had short black hair, and seemed handsome enough.  He lifted his eyes to meet her analytic gaze.  

When his eerie grey orbs connected with Rae, several thoughts ran across her mind.  First of all, he had been aware of her watching him in the 20 seconds it took her.  He was also aware why Rae had been scanning him.  But the biggest shock was the surge of familiarity that spread across her.  He seemed so familiar.  A corner in Rae's mind was screaming at her, but she wasn't able to hear what it was shouting.  It was like watching the TV on mute, and trying to figure out what the characters were saying, without knowing the show.  It was almost completely impossible.  Rae had quickly averted her gaze, as her instincts covered her slip.  But before she looked away, she saw that the boy had been just as surprised as her.  

But unlike Rae, he had been to busy trying to hide his conflicting emotions that he didn't realize that Rae had been doing the same.

A small sense of victory rushed through her at besting this boy.  Never the one to be competitive, Rae was confused, but she stored it away to be analyzed later, and angled her body towards the girl, who had opened her mouth to speak.

"Howdy Rae, I'm Janette Matthews.  And this is Archer Jacqueline."  

WHoop I seriously loved writing that chapter!

Okay so I wanna start like a QOTD thing, but for like anytime.  Like even if you're reading this in 2035, like you still can answer it.  I think it'd be super cool to be a granny and then (hopefully) get like a DING!  And see that some dude just commented on my story.  

SO I think I'll call it Question of the Chapter.

QOTC:

What is the best kind of cake?