Sweet Adeline

One-Deals

Adeline

I sit at my desk staring at the list of vocabulary words I had written down earlier. As I skim down the list, I shuffle through the stack of flash cards to make sure I haven't skipped a word.

I reach for my glass of water to find it's empty. With a sigh, I slip on my beloved hoodie and head to the kitchen. As I walk, I pass through the front commons area to see Olivia talking to a man I had never seen before. Assuming he wants to either foster or adopt a kid, I keep my path quite and fast to avoid them.

Olivia was the caretaker of the children in the orphanage. Her whole name was Olivia Thompson, but everyone just called her Olivia or Ms. Olivia.

I glance over to see the guy shift his gaze to me before looking back to Olivia. I hurriedly look down to the floor and walk to the kitchen to avoid him looking again. After filling up my glass with fresh water, I stand in the kitchen for a few extra minutes to wait for Olivia and the man to move rooms.

Peeking around the corner, I see that Olivia has sat the man down at one of the small tables next to a window with Maleny. Maleny was the second oldest here, and me the oldest. She being 15 and me being 16, almost 17.

I spot friendly smiles on both their faces, and a hopeful feeling grows in me for Maleny. I hoped she could find a home. She's a good kid. Kind and smart; she's someone who could make something of herself when she gets out of here.

Walking back to my room, which I had the joy of having to myself due to being the oldest, and a few other personal reasons, I sat back at the old desk and continue studying. Around half an hour goes by when I hear speaking outside my door.

"Mr. Mathews, Adeline is different than the other children here." Olivia warns him. "She's very reserved, and she has a few..." She says, pausing to think of the word to use, "habits that are a bit peculiar, but I can assure you that they don't affect anyone but her. She is a lovely girl once she opens up though-very kind and caring."

"Ms. Thompson, I want to give a home to the child that needs it the most, even if it's only for a little while."

I roll my eyes silently in disbelief. No one ever does something without getting something in return. The returning wishes are never nice things either.

I hear silence for a few seconds before a knock is sounded upon my door, and I make sure I have my hoodie on before opening it.

Olivia stands there looking worried while the supposed Mr. Mathews has a relaxed smile settled on his face. She mouths a quick sorry before actually speaking.

"Adeline, this is Owen Mathews. He would like to meet you." She says

My eyes flicker up to his face and back to Olivia.
Up close I'm able to see his features more clearly. He's tall with dirty blonde hair laid atop his head.
He says a quick 'hi', but I don't respond, leaving us to stand there awkwardly in silence.

"Oh, she doesn't talk much." Olivia clarifies quickly.
"That's fine," Owen says shrugging it off.

Owen takes a step forward into my room, making me take an immediate step backwards. Owen looks at me confusedly, but stays where he is. I fiddle with the hems of my hoodie sleeves out of nervousness, trying to pull it down as far as I can to hide myself. Owen watching me and being so close is making me uncomfortable. I glare at Olivia for letting him in. She knows she is breaking the boundaries we had set when I first arrived.

"I'd like to get to know you, Adeline. Is that alright?" Owen ask, causing my eyes to flick back to him for a split second.
"Please," I see Olivia mouth to me from behind him.