Insightful (A Yogscast and Area 11 Fanfic)

Chapter 2

The doors open, and a few couples enter, as well as multiple people who are alone. There is also one group of about 4 people, two girls and two boys. I decided to ignore everyone, instead drawing on some paper. I push my hair out of my eye, still keeping the other one covered, even though no one can see it. I focus on my drawing as chatter starts, and I know someone has taken an interest in one of the girls. I'm not paying attention to what I am drawing, so when I look down, I am surprised to see the Area 11 logo staring back at me. I finish filling in the shapes, and I am about to flip the paper over when a hand stops me. "Inte, jag gillar det." (Don't, I like it.) A familiar voice says. I look up, carefully covering my eye. There is a man standing before me, and I recognize him immediately. It's the man from the shop.

I move my hand away from the paper, looking at him. "Gillar du dem?" (You like them?) I ask, pointing to the logo. The man smiles. "Jag antar att man kan säga det." (I guess you could say that.) He replies. "Vad skulle du säga om jag sa att jag är intresserad av att anta dig?" (What would you say I if I told you I'm interested in adopting you?) He asks suddenly. I stare at him, then quickly look down. "Jag skulle säga att du skojar, eftersom ingen vill ha mig. Jag är konstig, jag gillar Area 11 och Yogscast, och jag pratar inte med någon här." (I'd say that you're kidding, because no one wants me. I'm weird, I like Area 11 and the Yogscast, and I don't talk to anyone here.) I say quietly so Tyerra won't hear me. "Well I'm saying that that's ridiculous, and now I'm certain that I want you." He says in English. I shake my head, and the man sighs, walking away. I turn back to my drawing dejectedly. I know no one wants me, so why bother? But a little part of me thinks that maybe he was the only person who could get me out of here. Well, I guess that chance is gone. And that's why I'm incredibly surprised when the man returns with Ms. Haris, and points to me. "Her. I'd like to adopt her."

Ms. Haris and I both look at him in disbelief. "You want Andi? She doesn't even talk! Andi has been here for 10 years and never spoken a word to anyone!" Ms. Haris exclaims. The man mutters something that is too quiet for me to hear, then smiles. "I don't care. I'd like to adopt her." He says sternly. Ms. Haris sighs. "Very well. Andi, please pack your bags, you will be leaving with Mr. Hellstrand shortly." Hellstrand. That's an epic last name. I wonder what his first name is?

After I've packed my laptop and the couple stacks of clothes I own, I find myself outside the orphanage, walking away for the last time. I turn to Mr. Hellstrand, thinking. "Kan jag jobbar fortfarande på antikaffär?" (Can I still work at the antique shop?) I ask. Mr. Hellstrand smiles. "Of course." He says. He's been mainly speaking in English, probably since he knows I understand it because of the Yogscast. Or maybe it was a good guess. I sit in the backseat of his car, my suitcase next to me. Mr. Hellstrand starts the car, and I sit silently as he drives away from the orphanage. "By the way, my name is Joakim. You can just call me that, because Mr. Hellstrand sound kinda strange." He says, breaking the silence. I think about my father in Bristol, and then a word pops into my head. "Pappa?" (Dad?) I ask quietly, almost hoping he didn't hear me. But I know he did, because I see him smile as he continues to drive down the road.

We arrive at a small flat in Malmö, a city near the orphanage. Joakim carries my suitcase inside, and I follow him in, looking around. He walks down a hallway, so I follow, looking at the four doors that line the hall. Joakim opens one, stepping inside. I follow him to find myself in a small bedroom, with a red bed cover, orange pillows, and yellow sheets on the bed, green walls, blue doors, and purple furniture. I turn in a circle, admiring the rainbow room. "Jag älskar det! Jag älskar regnbågar! Varför är det rum som det här? Visste du att?" (I love it! I love rainbows! Why is the room like this? Did you know?) I ask quickly still scanning the room. Joakim laughs. "I have a friend who has a thing for rainbows." He says, looking around the room as well. "Also, your hair kinda gives it away." He adds, pointing to my hair, which is currently flying around. A couple of years ago, I got rainbow tips on my hair. I turn to face Joakim again, a bit of red hair in my face. I blow it out of the way, smiling. "Say, if you understand English, can you speak it?" He asks. I nod. "Ja." I say simply. Joakim just shakes his head. "I have some friends who don't speak Swedish, and I will eventually have to introduce them to you. well, Maybe tomorrow. For now, you have to go to bed." He says. I nod, slipping into my new room. I peek out the door to see Joakim walking into the door farthest from mine, then shutting it tight. I find myself leaving my room, putting my ear against the door. I know I shouldn't be doing this, but I need to figure out what he meant about Area 11...