Genuine Forgery

{4} Umber

May 3

After the events of last night, tension has been as strong as ever, pressing down on our shoulders. Not one of us has talked to the other, not even in homeroom. I'm not sure how long it will last, but this is ridiculous.

Sitting in first period, my thoughts swarming like bees in my mind, I try to focus on the lesson being taught. Despite my determination to learn, my train of thought is elsewhere. Questions swim in the depths of my brain, wanting to be answered.

What kind of shitty joke was that call? Was it just some loser prank-calling Courtney, or something more? If it was true, which I doubt it is, who was that woman calling and what do they want?

Snapping back to the unimaginably boring lesson being taught by the teacher, I notice my sister standing outside of the classroom. She opens the door, earning stares from the entire class, including me.

My eyes bore into her, and she sends me a message with her eyes saying, we have to go. She gives the teacher a pass, indicating my dismissal, and I gather my things, walking out the door with Josie, my 17 year old sister.

When we're walking down the hallway, half way to the double doors, I stop her.

"What's so important? Why did you pick me up?" I question, concerned that I have to leave.

She looks at me, and replacing the blank stare from the classroom, tears of joy and hope could be seen.

She starts out slow, filling me in with the news, "I got a call while I was at school. It was Alicia."

I stood there shocked. Alicia was my friend at the orphanage my sister and I live in. She's a little younger than me, but why would she call my sister?

Josie continues, excitement in her bright blue eyes, "A couple in their late forties is thinking about adopting us! I took you out of school because we have a meet 'n' greet with them!"

Standing there, in the empty hallway, I did the only thing I could do: I squealed.

~~~~

Being in the orphanage for most of your life, especially with an asshole as a supervisor, you tend to lose hope of ever being adopted. After years of lost hope in that sickening place, being wanted by anyone just seemed impossible.

When I met Courtney, Wyatt, and Colten, for the first time I had felt like I was wanted, and even appreciated.

Me in the passenger seat of Josie's car, my sister driving, all I could think of was who our potential new parents could be.

As we drove into the lot, I glance at the sign,

We parked in the orphanage parking lot, and made our way to the entrance. In an instant, screaming and shouting overtook me as we entered what has been my run-down dwelling for years.

Children of all ages fought. Six-year-old girls pulling each other's hair, teenagers arguing over makeup, and 10-year-olds running around playing tag.

It was so chaotic, I almost forgot what I was doing. My sister unable to hear her own thoughts, stands motionless in the doorway. I guide her to Mrs. Malevolence's office, the orphanage guardian, and knock.

I perk my ears for sounds of voices, and hearing her eerily calm voice, I open the door.

I jump when I see a young couple, as well as Mrs. Malevolence, talking. Just talking. They all look up at me, the couple excited to meet me and Josie, and Mrs. Malevolence angered by our sudden appearance.

The woman that sat before me was a blonde, with blue eyes, and was wearing a blouse with navy blue jeans. The man was similar to her, wearing a nice t-shirt with faded blue jeans. Unlike the woman, he had dirty blonde hair.

They seemed so familiar, I just couldn't place that familiarity.

Mrs. Malevolence greets me with her best smile, and Josie and I grab a seat next to the couple.

"Umber, Josephine, this is Mr. and Mrs. Grey, your birth parents.

That sentence was enough fuel to set my insides to flames.

~~~~

Everything's black. An empty void of pure nothingness. I can't breathe, see, or smell. The thing is, in this void, I don't need those senses. All I need is my hearing. And that's exactly what I use.

I can barely make out the voice of my sister, but it's there. I focus on it, allowing it to fill my soul, soothing my body. I begin to stir, blurry images coming into view.

"-.......Umber? Umber can you hear me?"

"W-What happened? How did I get in my room?"

"You passed out after the news." Josie says, unsure if I'm ready for the cold hard truth.

"And?" I push, concerned at what is to come.

"Our birth parents want to know if they can adopt us, raise us in Britain as if they had never given us away. I for one want to leave this dump. How about you?"

I think of all that I've been through here. Mrs. Malevolence brutally abusing us, making us her slaves. I think of my friends, who I would never see again if I left. And I think of myself, wanting a family who would want me in a heartbeat.

Guess what I say.

I say:

"No."

***
Hey everyone! I was so busy on Saturday, and once again, I didn't post on time. Sue me. Anyways, I wanted to let all you readers know that, I'm a real person. I know this is a pretty stupid statement, but I want you guys to know that you can talk to me. I would really appreciate it if you guys would comment on my story and give me constructive criticism and feedback on any mistakes or anything else I should fix. So, with that being said, thank you all for taking the time to read this story and thank you for all the support! Make sure to vote and comment! Bye! :D
-Spellcastermelody