Meet Charlie

(7) The Personal Stage

:)

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Flora's POV

The children and teens at the children's home are only allowed to go out if they are supervised with an adult or they have permission to go unsupervised. On top of that, they're only allowed out up to 4 times a week including school days. Did I, Flora Whyte stick to these rules? Of course not. Lucky for me, I have an oak tree with expanding branches outside my window. It's original use is to hold a swing for the younger children. I used it for a an escape route.

The first time I used the branches to safely land on the other side of the fence that went around the whole of the home, the devils they call toddlers had seen me. It had taken a whole month's worth of candy to bribe them not to tell Matt and the rest of the staff of my stunt. They're evil, I tell you.

The day when I experienced 'The Guilt Trip', I was then sent to my room for the rest of the day. Excluding the fact that I needed dinner in order not to starve to death. I certainly didn't want to die in a place like this. After dinner, the young ones usually play outside until curfew so I had to be careful.

On occasions, workers would come out to see the toddlers and keep them company, so I had to wait until a perfect chance to sneakily climb out the window. It was the only way I was able to exit the home without being caught by the workers. Especially Matt. If he ever found out, another kind of Guilt Trip would be born. An even worse one no doubt. I shuddered just at the thought of it.

Once I was sure there was no adults with the kids outside, I made the first step onto the window ledge...

"OOHH FLORAA!!" A screeching, high pitched female voice burst my eardrums. The sudden interference also caused me to land face first onto the carpet floor away from the window. Great save Flora. That won't be suspicious at all. I looked up to see the face I least wanted to see. Ashley fricking Polton. Curse the worker who chose not to install locks in our doors.

"What if an emergency happened where you were passed out and there was a fire? How would we get in if the door was locked?"

Then kick down the door like in those hero movies for gods sake. I need my privacy. Incase situations like this happen that involve Ashley Polton. Especially if they involve Ashley Polton.

"Uhh, what the hell are you doing on the floor weirdo?" I was snapped back into reality from hearing that irritating voice of a hyena again.

"Uhh, what the hell are you doing in my room freak?" I hissed back at her, causing her glossed lips to part in disbelief.

"Really? You're calling me a freak? Take a look in the mirror and figure out for yourself who's the freak!" Ashley seemed proud of her comeback even though it took no effect on me. Ignoring Ashley's insults, I simply stood up and changed the subject.

"What do you want?"

"Oh nothing, just to rub your punishment in your face".

"It's funny how you think I care Polton".

"Don't act as if you don't; I know you're dying to get out of this home just as much as any of the pathetic losers that live here".

"Not excluding you of course," I mumbled.

"What did you just say?" Ashley warned whilst raising her half drawn on eyebrows.

"Nothing," I insisted in a high pitched voice. I was slowly growing more inpatient each second that goes by with Ashley in her room.

"Whatever, just watch yourself hunny. You don't wanna get on my bad side".

Wait, this isn't her bad side? I thought. Oh dear god. How could she possibly get worse than what she is right now? Just please leave so that I can get away from this place already.