~Contest Entries~

Fifteen

Contes entry for wallflower_r
The word I got was fifteen so this is what I come up with. I hope you like it!
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Ever wondered what would happen once you turned fifteen. I did. Most kids would wait for more special ages such as their sixteenth birthday when they can celebrate their sweet sixteen or when they turn eighteen, officially an adult. But then again for most kids birthdays are celebrated every year.

My life is different.

I have never experienced what it feels like to have a special day only dedicated to you. Where on that day you are celebrated. I have never experienced what it feels like to cut a cake, blow candles and make a wish. A wish to get out of here. Or receive a present. Not even a tiny button for a birthday gift. That's the draw of growing up in a cheap shot orphanage.

But this year is different. I can feel it. Last night Mrs. Diaz came to me during a rather disgusting dinner of lumpy potato soup and stale bread. She smiled at me, something she rarely does and said "Tomorrow is your birthday, isn't it? I have a surprise for you."

I couldn't sleep the whole night. My young mind was flooded with thoughts and I couldn't help but toss and turn on the thin mattress that was laid on the floor. Children above ten weren't given beds to sleep in as the orphanage was starting to flood with abandoned babies. It was rather chilly but my blanket was given to some newborn. They promised I'd get a new one but that was weeks ago. It's not like the thin frail blanket even made a difference.

The moon was perfectly round and a bit too bright than usual. What could possibly be my surprise? Will I get a cake. I've always wanted to try a red velvet cake something I read about from one of Mrs Diaz's old cook books but the only cake I had ever eaten was vanilla when Mrs. Diaz celebrated her birthday.

Or maybe I'll get a gift. I'd love a new dress, something red and fancy with golden designs or something pink and fluffy or even something black and classy making me look twice my age.

Or maybe some felt tip pens so I could design my dream house and family. Sketch out my alternate universe of happiness and loving parents and real schools and celebrated birthdays! I could draw my mom who has lovely long blonde curls like me and big bright blue doe shaped eyes that shine with adoration whenever she sees me. A short curvy frame and a big warm smile. I could draw my dad with short brown hair and green almond shaped eyes just like mine. I could maybe draw him a mustache and make him tall and fit. I could draw my elder brother roughly the age of seventeen. I could make his hair brown just like dad's and his eyes blue just like mom and he would also love me and protect me whenever wherever. I could draw my big house and make it all fancy looking with large mahogany gates and long glass windows as well as a swimming pool at the back.

Or maybe some makeup. I had seen a lot of girls my age outside who had their faces full of makeup. Pink rosy cheeks, red full lips, and glittery eyeshadow. I would love to show off how I look in my new makeover and then my crush Tommy who is sixteen would fall in love with me and then we could runaway together and get married and live happily ever after. If only.

Soon the sun started to rise and I couldn't help but feel bubbly in the inside. I imagined hundreds of little colorful butterflies flying about in my belly. I got up from my mattress and immediately ran to the toilet before anyone was awake. I finished my business, brushed my teeth and soaked a little in the warm bath. The first bath was always the warmest so I always tend to wake up early. I then went to the clothes rack and put on a simple red top and my little black skirt that I would wear on special occasions. This was a special occasion after all it is my birthday. I walked back into the room hoping that everyone remembers my birthday but I couldn't help but feel disappointed. No one even glanced at me. Everyone was busy getting ready for breakfast. Maybe they are just tired and my real surprise will come during breakfast.

Even for breakfast though nothing was out of the ordinary. We were given the same bland porridge to eat and the same cup of orange juice. Though I waited. Maybe my surprise will be later. After breakfast I went back to my room and searched my mattress to see if Mrs. Diaz slipped my present somewhere but there was nothing. I couldn't help but feel disappointed. I thought this year my birthday would be different. I went to the kitchen and found Mrs. Diaz talking with one of the staff members. I slowly went up to her and smiled.

"Morning, Mrs Diaz."

But she didn't even look at me. She was too busy talking about some man named Bill. I tried again but she cut me. "Not now, Linda, can't you see I'm busy."

I heaved a sigh and walked outside to the garden. It was rather chilly even though fall had not yet arrived. I sat down on a dry patch of grass and watched as two five year olds kicked the ball at each other. By lunch time I was starting to loose hope. We were given mashed potatoes and gravy which we got every Tuesday. Nobody even remembered that it was my birthday, nobody wished me, heck no one even looked at me. I went to the room and couldn't help but let out a cry. Last month my best friend Kendra was adopted. She was a mixed race but we weren't sure of what and she was the loveliest. We would hang out the whole day and on our birthdays we would always pretend to be each other's servant and tried to make the day somewhat better.

But after she left I was lonely. Call me selfish but I wish she would come back. Of course there is Tommy but he is too busy kissing Alissa to remember my birthday. And all the other kids are to little. Alissa was always mean to me. She would push me around steal my stuff and try to get me in trouble with Mrs. Diaz.

A stray tear fell down my check as I sat cross legged on my mattress. No one was in the room as everyone was outside playing a game of soccer. Even Tommy and Alissa. I wasted my time getting my hopes up. I should've known that Mrs. Diaz didn't really care and all she did was mess with me. I hug my knees to my chest and let the warm slaty tears fall. Why can't I have just this one good day where everything seems right.

In no time I was knocked out and woke up to Tommy shaking my arm violently. I woke up with a jerk and looked at him.

"Have you been crying Linda?"

I just shake my head indicating a no. I don't want him to think that I'm just a little cry baby. That would be horrible and then he would never like me.

He then all of a sudden hugged me. Rather tight. I couldn't help but feel amazing.  He smelt of wood and musk and mint his body felt amazing against mine. I stared at his soft mahogany hair that swept to the side. He was truly a masterpiece with hazel eyes and a charming smile.  "Happy birthday!" He whispered in my ear, "Now come, Mrs. Diaz has a surprise for you. You will love it."

We then got up and went downstairs to the living room. There sitting on the sofa was a tall man who had brown hair that was neatly combed with some jell. He had a proper mustache one very much like the one on the Pringles logo. He had green eyes and was wearing a grey suit that looked very expensive. Next to him was a petite curvy lady with curly blonde hair and warm blue eyes. Her plump red lips fell into a warm smile as she saw me and she was wearing a lovely floral dress made to perfection.
Sitting next to her was a boy roughly the age of eighteen with brown hair and blue eyes. One could clearly see the resemblance between him and his parents. He was wearing a black T shirt with some skinny jeans and a black leather jacket. Ironically they all resembled what I imagined my future family to look like.

Mrs. Diaz was sitting on the arm chair near the sofa. She shakes her head once she saw my crumpled outfit and I couldn't help but blush in embarrassment. I then realized that Tommy had already left.

"Linda come here and meet Mr. and Mrs. Johnson. They have adopted you."

As soon as Mrs. Diaz said that my heart started to race and my mind began to spin. No way! I couldn't believe that I was truly being adopted. That I would leave this dump of an orphanage. My heart leaped in immense euphoria and from there life became good.

My parents Marc and Rose love me immensely and my elder brother Alex always looks after me. They all treat me as their own. My house is huge with my very own room and closet stuffed with gorgeous outfits. I got enrolled into a school and was super happy to meet Kendra. Tommy was also adopted a while later and the three of us always hung out together.
I could finally say that I have got my happy ending.