Next to me | #Wattys2019

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

BANNER: SOME KIDS FROM THE ORPHANAGE

"Laura, hold my baby for a second," Little Ariana said handing me a baby doll and putting a blanket surrounding it.

I usually went once a week to the orphanage, the little kids received me with joy since they saw me like a big sister who you could play, talk to...

Sad thing was, I couldn't be with all of them at the same time... Ariana was the youngest and Loreto was the oldest, I knew Loreto didn't have any chance go get adopted with her now 16 years and that made me really sad, everyone deserved a chance to grow up with a family... Paula was the most energetic one in the whole orphanage, she was about to get adopted by a German couple who moved to the US a couple of years ago, that was a huge advance if we count that the last adoption was two years ago... Anyways, I was here now, this was my secret place, with my secret friends, my secret feelings...

These kids were the only ones that knew more about my life than myself. I had been coming since I was thirteen, by the time there were only 5 kids and the orphanage was starting to glow up, right now they had 7 kids and as far as I know, not any adoption since two years ago, as I told you earlier.

It made me really sad to think these boys and girls could grow up without parents. Natalie and John acted like their parents but, you know, that isn't enough for a bunch of seven-year-olds.

Ari had dark black hair and deep blue eyes, as far as I knew, Natalie had found her in a trash can near the orphanage five years ago, Ana was 2 by then.

The other kids's stories were similar, all of them depressing... After I finished playing dolls with Ari I went kid by kid saying goodbye, then I walked towards Natalie, her hair was starting to grow white, because of her age and because of the stress of having to care about 7 children. I gave her a quick hug and left telling her I would be back next week.

~☆~

"Now he acts like I'm invisible, what's wrong with him?" I snapped at Lea.

"How come you're talking about Graham all day?" She rolled her eyes, "I'm going to the restroom, check my food."

I nodded silently and watched as she crossed the door, did I talk too much about Graham? Really? Well he acted like a total idiot yesterday...

"Graham, do I have to tutor you today?" I told Graham as he talked with Neal, the football team's quarterback.

He arched an eyebrow then looked at Neal and smirked, "Hey babe, do I know you?"

I glanced at him and furrowed my eyebrows not understanding what was happening.

Neal laughed and added, "Look, that's not the right way to flirt with a guy..."

I winced, "I am not flirting, gosh, I just want to know -"

"Leave him alone," Neal spit out, "You are so stubborn, he's not interested alright?"

I looked at Graham and caught a glimpse of guilt in his gaze, what was he playing to? "If I know you I don't remember?"

I haven't talked or even looked at Graham since that happened yesterday, and I'm not planning on doing it. If he wants to be my friend he has to be it in all places not only when he feels like it. It's better if he's not my friend in any place anyways...

"Hey," Carter said leaving the tray on the table and sitting next to me.

"Why?" I said shakily, my heart beating faster.