The Orphanage (short story, completed)

Lunch

I stared glumly at the brown wicker basket. Nothing. I glanced again. Tucked in the corner in some shadow was a piece of something. Picking it up, I realized it was a piece of moldy bread.

"Do you like the delicious piece of bread we saved you? We picked it ourselves," Rodrick snickered. Rodrick was the all-time jerk of the orphanage. At least a jerk to me. "Do you still cry about your mummy at night?" he asked sneering. My face blushed, turning my pale face bright red. Rodrick's cronies howled with unsuppressed mirth.

"Thomas! Over here!" I heard someone bellow. I whipped around, my dirty blond hair flying, to see Jonathan, my best and only friend for five years, wave me over. "I saved a seat for you!"

I had met Jonathan five years ago, and he had pissed off Rodrick. (That was so awesome!!!) Thus, our friendship immediately sparked. Jonathan had tan skin and a small birthmark on his arm in the shape of a heart. However, Rodrick never teased him about it because Jonathan is massively built, though at heart, he is as soft as a bunny. I, on the other hand, am short and scrawny and I seemed to have a sign on me that says "pick on me!" This "sign" seemed to attract bullies, like Rodrick.

"How's life?" Jonathan asked. Jonathan always initiates conversations with this two-word phrase. It started ever since the day I teased him about starting conversations with such a lame conversation starter. It's our little thing.

"As good as always," I replied glumly. My eyes roved around the cafeteria, looking for that beautiful, one-of-a-kind, face. And then I spot her, sitting between two brunettes. Her cheeks were flushed pink, her sea-green eyes sparkling with laughter. (What I would give to be the one who told that joke). Her white teeth gleamed from the overhead lights. Her blond hair flew as she turned around. And then she made eye contact with me. I quickly turn away, blushing.

"I know you have a crush on Jane," Jonathan said, grinning evilly. "I can see the way you look into her eyes and..."

"Shut up!" I said, exclaiming in my fiercest tone, blushing. "Everyone will hear you. And I don't like Jane."

"Then I guess it doesn't matter if I scream it to the whole, wide world."

"You wouldn't do that."

"I would."

"Maybe I like her a little bit," I said grudgingly, staring anywhere but at Jonathan's smirking face. "But don't you dare tell anyone." Jane isn't a serious crush. She's just so beautiful.

"Mission accomplished!" Jonathan said cheerfully. He's been trying to find out my crush over since he accidentally let slip his. (It's Rebecca sitting on Jane's left. He has a certain liking to brunettes). I haven't said a thing about my crush. At least until today.

Before long, dinner is over, the bell signaling the end with some more "dong, dong, dong." I think the bell has a grudge against me, because it keeps threatening to shatter my eardrums.

I hurried through the white tiled hallways to the dormitory, quickly grabbing my sleepwear . (We have three pairs of clothes, one for day wear, one for sleepwear, and one for adoption day). It was required to shower once a day.

After a quick one minute shower, (the water is freezing), I slipped into bed, falling into the realm of peaceful nothingness.

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