MYSTERIES OF HER PAST

CHAPTER Two

It's another day in Holy child orphanage home-a Catholic orphanage for children within the age of a day to eighteen. The children within a particular age group were usually grouped together and were looked after by a mentor and guardian.

Melinda sat a good distance away from the children who were playing happily in the playground. It had been three months since her last parent rejected her because of her dreams. "Melinda what are you doing sitting all by yourself?", Jasmine her closest friend asked. Jasmine was older than Melinda with a year. "Nothing, I just want to be alone". Melinda said. "Come on, tell me what's wrong", Jasmine said nudging her with her elbow.

"It...it's just that no one loves me", she said looking down at her fingers. "Hey, don't say that, there are so many people who loves you. Sister veronica, Sister Maria and all those people who comes to visit us loves you. Santa Clause loves you and even me too,", Jasmine said holding her slender hands. "Really?". "Yeah, I mean who doesn't?".
"Phoebe doesn't".
"That's because she's jealous of you, you're my best friend and you're cute".

"Speaking about Phoebe, I heard some news about her, I don't know if you'll like it or not", Jasmine said brushing the hair out of Melinda's face. "What's the news?", Melinda asked enthusiastically. "Um, I overheard sister Veronica and sister Angela saying something about a couple who wants to adopt Phoebe",Jasmine said and looked closely at Melinda. 

"Well....I'm happy for her", Melinda said with no emotion in her voice. "When I overheard them, at first I was happy, but later I became sad because I was thinking why someone would want a child like her and not us", Jasmine said and looked away from Melinda. "I know", Melinda replied.

"Let's not be sad again
because when Phoebe is gone, we'll not be bullied again", Jasmine said with a much brighter mood. "Um...I don't think so, we have those bullies in school remember?", Melinda reminded her. "I know but once she's gone maybe they will stop bullying us. She Is the one that makes them to bully us", Jasmine replied.

"I'm sure she would tell me about her new parents to mock me before she goes", Melinda said. "I better get ready",she said standing up when she sighted Phoebe walking towards their direction.

"Well...Well...Well, look who I found today",Phoebe said placing her hands on her hips and giving them a very intimidating look.

"Hello Phoebe",Jasmine said standing in front of Melinda. "I didn't come for you Jasmine so move out", Phoebe said as two of her friends came and stood beside her, placing her at the middle.

"Sorry I didn't hear what you said, you should speak louder when you're talking".
"Do you think it's funny Jasmine? sometimes I ask myself why I let someone like you to be my friend".

"Really? Cause I ask myself the same thing too", Jasmine said raising her eyebrows at her.

"You don't talk to me like that!", Phoebe yelled and pushed Jasmine backwards. Jasmine stumbled and hit Melinda and she fell down hard on the floor, slashing her right hand on the metal railings of the bench. Phoebe and her girls laughed, screaming out their lungs like their lives depended on it.

"I'm so sorry....Melinda you're bleeding!", Jasmine said in panic when she saw the blood dripping out of her hands. The metal railings of the bench had sliced Melinda from her pinky finger to below her palm, missing her pulse with just an inch.

"Are you alright...huh?, I'm really sorry. Let's go see sister Veronica. She....she will treat you", Jasmine said fear clearly written in her voice. "I'm...I'm...al...right", Melinda said trying to hold back the tears that that was dripping from her eyes.