Quintus

Orphans

"Dora... Where are you?' Came a high-pitched voice. 'Ugh. It was Gemma', thought Zendora.

Gemma certainly could not be described as nice. But, to be honest, she far surpassed meanness, too. She was plain cruel. She had always been. Bitter and cruel. Zendora held her breath as Gemma passed by Oriana's room.

Oriana stood there, watching Zendora as though she were a pathetic brat bothering her for no reason. Oriana sighed and shook her head tiredly. "Can you please go now, Zendora?'

Zendora looked worriedly at her friend.

"What's wrong, Ori?'

"Nothing. I'm just tired." Oriana said. It was true, she was tired, tired of Zendora. She didn't want to be bullied anymore by the other orphans for being friends with the current 'freak' of the orphanage. It usually meant that either people avoided her or bullied her along with Zendora.

Perhaps, it had been Zendora's smile that had first attracted Oriana's attention. Zendora seemed so happy despite all her current circumstances. But now, it just wasn't enough. As Oriana grew up, she learnt a lot of things. One of those was that no matter how nice a person was, you needed to stay on the good side of those people who can actually help you do something or get somewhere in life. Gemma could do that. Zendora definitely couldn't.

"Dora...come out and play..." Gemma's voice singsonged outside the door.

Oriana then made a decision. She'd had enough. Oriana went outside, "Hey, Gemma,"

Zendora was waving to her frantically, telling her to come back. But Oriana wouldn't. She'd made up her mind.

"Oh, you're looking for Dora?' Oriana knew full-well Zendora hated being called that. Zendora flinched in the corner of her eye. "She was just inside. We were talking."

"Oh?' Gemma said in a mocking voice. "Well, she should've been able to hear me. Or you. If I didn't know any better, I'd almost have thought you two were avoiding me."

"No, no. I just heard you."

"Hey, Dora," Gemma said, going inside as if she owned the room although it belonged to Oriana. Not that Oriana minded, of course.

"Hi, Gemma..." Zendora smiled, weakly. She looked at Oriana, and Oriana saw herself next to Gemma in Zendora's big brown eyes. She stood cold, uncaring. Why should she care how she had hurt Zendora? She'd been her only friend for long enough, anyway.

"Dora, did you know a couple has come to adopt you today? You should get ready." Gemma said, in a sweet voice that made Zendora instantly suspicious. But it was overpowered by the feeling of immense joy.

Nobody ever came to adopt her. She was a freak. She had a vibe that scared everyone off. She should be chained, she should be sailed away onto an island where no one would ever go and she'd die of loneliness. But she was only a teenager, a fourteen-year-old girl. So perhaps, that was why she was here instead. Didn't mean it was any better, though.

Yet someone did come for her. So, should she not be ecstatic?

"Joking." Gemma cackled. Zendora's smile fell, as Oriana giggled nervously.

Zendora tried to run out, but as she passed by, Oriana tripped her. Gemma looked at Lizzie in admiration, as she high-fived her. Lizzie was practically glowing. Zendora tried to stop the tears at her eyes. Not now. Not now. Not now, she repeated. She ran. 

It was a trait of hers that she didn't quite like, but when circumstances got too overwhelming, she couldn't help but just run. Run until she felt like her lungs would burst, until her breathing became strangled, until she was soaked with sweat. It didn't sound pleasant, and if you thought about it, it really wasn't. But it was thrilling. Free. Something most orphans could only long for; freedom.