The Drummer's Daughter (PIERCE THE VEIL)

Chapter 1

8 years later

*CENEEDRA'S POV*

I held tears back as I was walked back up to the orphanage. This was the third family that had taken me back. I didn't understand why.
"Look, silly Cenny's back." I heard someone tease.
No one liked me at the orphanage. I was always being teased about my name or my height. I was the shortest of my age and even some of the younger kids were taller than me. Recently though, all the teasing was about me being brought back by the families that adopted me.
I ignored all the laughing and teasing as I walked to Ms Lewis' office. I knocked on the big wooden door and was granted entry. The first thing I noticed was a tall man with long hair and tattoos sitting in my normal seat.
"Ahh, Ceneedra, you're back," Ms Lewis smiled at me. I knew it was fake though. She hated me just like everyone else. "All the papers have been signed. You can go and rejoin your friends."
I nodded and left the office. I went outside and sat under a tree away from everyone else. I noticed the man from Ms Lewis' office walking around. He saw me and walked straight over to my tree.
"Hey, sweetie, why aren't you playing with the other kids?" He asked me as he sat down next to me.
"They don't like me and I don't like them." I told him.
"Why's that?" The man asked me.
"They tease me because I'm short and they don't like my name."
"Your name's Ceneedra, right?"
I nodded.
"Well, I think that's a beautiful name." He smiled.
"What's your name?" I asked.
"My name's Mike," he told me.
"Mike's a nice name," I told him. "Its nice and normal."
"But normal gets boring," Mike said. "Sometimes its better to be different."
I looked up at him. "Really?" I questioned. "I always thought it was better to be normal."
Mike chuckled. "Different is awesome."
I smiled just as two boys walked over to where Mike and I were sitting.
"Why are you talking to Silly Cenny?" One of the boys, Hayden, asked Mike.
"You shouldn't be nasty to her," Mike replied. "One day Ceneedra might be your boss and she could make your life difficult."
"Like Cenny could ever be better than us. She has problems," the other boy, Leighton, scoffed.
I felt tears welling up in my eyes. I did have problems, that's why the people who adopted me always gave me back.
"If you're here to adopt, you should adopt someone who hasn't been returned by families before." Leighton continued.
Tears started spilling so I got up and ran to the girls bathroom. It wasn't the best idea. Standing in front of the mirror was the three girls I wanted to see the least; Jazz, Paige and Shay.
"Look, it's Silly Cenny the cry baby," Jazz laughed.
I turned to run out but Paige grabbed my wrist and pulled me back. The three girls were 12 and loved using me as their punching bag since I was a lot smaller than them.
"Aww, don't leave Cenny," Shay taunted. "Lets play a game called who can hit the cry baby the most."
Paige raised her hand and slapped me across the face. I had learnt not to cry or scream while they were doing it or they would continue going harder.
Soon Paige's hand came close to mouth so I took the chance and bit her. She released her grip on me and I ran away. Jazz, Shay and Paige followed behind. I ran into someone. I looked up and saw Mike.
"You ok Ceneedra?" He questioned.
I shook my head and looked behind me and saw the girls catching up to me. "They're trying to beat me up." I told Mike pointing at the girls who were running up to me.
"C'mon, I'm getting you out of here." Mike told me. He took me to Ms Lewis' office.
"Ah, Mr Fuentes," Ms Lewis smiled at Mike. "You want to take Ceneedra."
She smiled her fake smile down on me.
Mike nodded.
"Ok, I just need you to sign some papers and Ceneedra can go get her belongings."
I smiled at Mike before skipping off to get my stuff.

*MIKE'S POV*

"Are you sure you want to adopt her, Mr Fuentes?" Ms Lewis asked me once Ceneedra had left the office.
"Yeah," I nodded.
"I just need you to be certain, you're the fourth person to adopt her." Ms Lewis said. "She has problems. Mental problems."
"I can handle that." I replied.
Ms Lewis nodded and handed me the papers I needed to fill out.
"By the way, you have a bullying problem here." I told the lady.
Her lips pursed together as she looked at me.
"Three girls were trying to beat up Ceneedra and people are calling her names and being plain nasty." I explained.
"That's just a part of growing up." Ms Lewis stated. "It will toughen her up for the future."
I handed the woman back the papers. "No it's not and no it won't. I've seen and heard of too many people harm or kill themselves because of bullying," I scowled. "It tears down kids strength instead of building it up."
Just then Ceneedra walked back into the office.
"You are free to go now. Goodbye Ceneedra," Ms Lewis smiled.
I smiled down at the eight year old girl and guided her out of the room.
"See you in a week, Cenny," one of the kids smirked.
"Ignore them," I whispered to Ceneedra as I guided her out and to my car.
"Ready to go to your new home?" I asked the little girl as I started the car.
Ceneedra nodded nervously.
"Don't be nervous, sweetie," I comforted her. "Everything is going to be ok."