The Taste of Blooming Enemies

Why so serious?

(Past Ben POV)

It's 2006. Charlie and Ben are riding the bus back home. The yellow outside is covered in dried dirt, and graffiti of mature drawings and words trailed over every part of it; With stained windows but just clear enough for Ben to see the blank grey sky and fire hydrants on every block.

"Is that your house?!" Said Peter. The red haired boy sitting behind us. Pointing at a large brick building as the bus stopped.

"Yeah." Charlie said with an innocent smile.

"My mommy said that's where the they put all the children with dead mommies and daddies. I think she called them... ork-phans?" Said a girl with freakishly large eyes.

"I heard they only get one slice of bread at dinner! That makes me sad, but I'm still not eating my asparagus! And they're called orphans Susie." Said the girl with purple braces sitting beside her.

"Ohhhh" Susie said, dumbfounded.

The first thing people would think when they learned of our living situation is one of two varieties: A. they think It was like growing up in some twisted  "Annabelle" type horror flick Perhaps our caregivers made us clean the splintery floors with our tongues, and we slept on beds of nails. I didn't watch Annabelle, but ain't that the jist? I don't want to give it anymore attention than it deserves. All these orphan movie are obviously a calculated move by the elite to bring fear to adoption. They know we'd be to powerful if we rose to power but I digress.

"Ew don't let the orphans touch you! You might get there deadly orphan plague!" Said Peter, making all the kids erupt in laugher

"I don't want my parents to die!" Susie cried hysterically.

Charlie's face was as red as a tomato as we walked off the bus.

Or B. they understand how an average orphanage opperates while knowing the possible psychological issues that may entail being raised in that abnormal position.

"Let's beat up Peter tomorrow." Said Charlie.

"I'm with you brother." I said trying to hide the smile growing wider on my face. It was kinda funny though right. HA ha! They're so dumb don't worry about em. Take a chill pill. How bout I get Jess to make us some pancakes?

Charlie growled but nodded his head in agreement.

Type A will usually have an over exaggerated look of fright on their face. They'll ask me offensive questions like"did they make you clean the chimneys?" Or stuff like "but you seem so normal" as if every orphan has severe psychological brain damage. I often just answer these questions with a smile and a nod because it's far more amusing than the truth.

(Cut away)

"Did they make you wash yourself in the river?"

"Yep."

"Did they make your clothes from rags from sewers?"

"How'd you know? You are correct sir!"
Faster I get out of the conversation the better.

Type B will have and intrigued look, but  will rarely asks questions. They may say things like "Oh that's very interesting" or "I'd love to hear more about that if you're comfortable". Honestly, what heck am I? Your science experiment? So boring.  I shouldn'thave to worry about these questions till my mid life crisis at the ripe age of 38. My friend Charlie however...

"Why aren't you more upset?" Charlie stoped walking;

"It was a clever well put together joke." I said

Charlie sighs pulling his hair back with his right hand.
"Maybe Peter was right about that orphan plague because I wanna vomit just looking at you."

"Look dude, yuh gotta learn to be more resilient. Learn to laugh at yourself. You can't just roll over and cry ever time someone tells you " you look and sound like Sheryl temple." Mainly because they'll be no mother to catch you tears. I said, biting down another grin.
"Come on bring it in." I say while going for a hug.

"I hate you." He said pushing me the walking in an fast pace.

"Awwww, come on dude don't say that we're bros for life remember" I said, forcing a hug.

"Get off me or I'll cut your eyebrows off in your sleep."

"How dare you!" I said immediately while grabbing ahold on my perfectly structured brows. "This is all I have!"

"For now." Charlie said

I kept a 5ft distance as we walked in just in case he wasn't joking.