What's With All These Love Stories?

I Get A Job Back At The Orphanage

"Hailey, wake up!"

I opened my eyes slowly, as I adjusted the blurry visions of Ms. Christie hovering above me, her hands on her hips, her lip tucked.

"Hailey, I have to go and help out the orphanage. Now, if you need any help or assistance, I left some numbers on the refrigerator."

"You sound like a mother," I laughed.

I wiped my eyes and got up off the couch. I looked in the mirror and saw frizzy hair, dark eyes, and a weird reflection of a girl that seemed to be me.

"Ms. Christie, I'll be out, too. I need to go shopping for some hair accessories."

Ms. Christie stopped by the door and turned to look at me.

"Dear me, Hailey, but you haven't any money."

I stared at the mirror.

"Oh, that's right... the orphanage usually supplied you needy teens with your makeup and cosmetics."

I stood, still staring at the mirror, my face now filled with stress.

"Oh no!" I cried, digging my face into the palms of my hands. I pulled on my hair and fell back onto the couch. "Oh no, oh no, oh no!"

"Hailey," Ms. Christie coughed. "Hailey, stop doing that. You're messing up the couch."

I froze, hurt by her words. "The couch?"

I turned and looked at Ms. Christie, relieved to see a kiddish face, her amusement astounding me.

"You have to get a job," she said, handing me a newspaper.

"What is this?" I said, pointing at the folded piece of grey paper in my lap. "What is this? What--what am I to do with this?"

Ms. Christie shrugged and headed back to the door.

"You know French. You could be a tutor at the orphanage."

I nodded slowly. I did like the little children at the orphanage.

"Oh, well I did forget to say bye to little Annie." I sighed.

Annie was a little girl who used to play with me all the time on the orphanage playground. I read her bedtime stories and played dress up with her. She was like a little sister to me.

"I will speak to the staff. Now, get dressed and meet me there in an hour."

"But it's night, Ms. Christie." I pointed out the window, now filled with stars and black skies.

Ms. Christie's face scrunched up, and she headed out the door.

"Then get a good night's sleep and meet me there tomorrow!"

I laughed. "You too, Ms. Christie! I'll see you there!" I shouted, standing on my toes to wave at her.

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"Repeat after me, Annie."

"Okay, Ms. Hailey!"

"Frere Jacques..."

"Fair, fair, Jackie..."

"Dormez-vous..."

"Dorm ezz voos."

"Sonnez les matines..."

"Songy la marines..."

"Ding, ding, dong..."

"Ding ding dong!"

"You got one right!"

"Yay!"