CROSSROADS

CHAPTER ONE

GIRL'S P.O.V.

I found myself staring from afar. The cold, wet material of the fabric of my clothes were clinging to my body for dear life. I hugged myself as I watched them. They were running, trying to get away from the dangers of being wet from the rain. I laughed bitterly. At long last, they have finally entered the comforts of their home. I walked towards them and peeked from the corner of their window. 

Their home was cozy. welcoming. Something I haven't had for so long. The image of having a complete and happy family crossed my mind for a brief second and I actually felt my heart warming up. But then reality struck me in the head and I once again found myself being taken away from happiness. Soon enough, the hope I once had for a split second vanished like the rain.

It stopped. What a shame. I thought.

I loved the rain. The dark skies, the raindrops that drench you when you're out. It's funny. It's the only thing amusing for me. It's the only thing that brought me happiness.

I walked away from the cozy house, just like how I imagine myself walking away from my sh*tty life. Images and thoughts flooded my mind and I just smiled like a lunatic. Shaking my head I went to the bus stop and watched cars pass by in a hurry to not catch another round of pouring rain. 

"Mommy! But I wanted that lollipop!"

"Honey, it's pouring. We can get you another lollipop tomorrow. It's dark out and we have to get home sooner."

"You don't love me. I have the worst life ever."

Oh boy if you only knew how I felt right now. Atleast you have a mom that deeply cares for you and didn't throw you away like trash. I thought bitterly.

I watched them walk away like the creepy stalker that I am. I rubbed my eyes and leaned on the metal bars. I was tired. But I don't want to go back home just yet. 

And in an instant, I found myself getting sleepy. 

The sound of sirens woke me up and caught me off guard. My eyes flew open as I stared at two police cars speeding away. I sighed in relief. I thought I was getting caught.

Just as I stood up, two cops went to me and said, "Ikaw nanaman?"

I turned around and smiled sheepishly. They shook their heads and grabbed my arm.

"Oras na para umuwi. Tara na." one said.

I closed my eyes as they guided me to the car.

"Buti nalang di ka na kidnap."

"Sana nga eeh." I whispered.

The drive back to the orphanage was a bit disturbing. It was more annoying than the big humps on the streets that could catch you off guard if you're speeding so bad. I bumped my head a few times and groaned multiple times as I tried to sleep but couldn't. This police car isn't the most comfortable thing on this planet let me tell you that.

"So..ano ginagawa mo sa bus stop?"

"Oh you know. Naghahanap ng palaka."

Police number one stared at me from the rear view mirror.

"Mas mabuti siguro kung ung kalsada tignan mo..wag ako."

"Wala nang pagasa to" he replied.

I stared outside the window as I looked at the buildings passing by. The road, something I've memorized ever since. 

Like a magic trick, before I knew it, we were already parked in front of the orphanage. I could feel my heart beating fast, something not normal. I've been here ever since I could remember. It's where I lived. Just a structure full of people who consider me as their family but never a family that loved one another. It is nothing but a building. It's never a home.

"Finally you're back. I'm glad to see you fine and dandy."

"I'm not."

"Silly. It's late, head on inside and go to bed."

I didn't bother replying. Suddenly, it felt like all the energy in me was drained in a flash. I practically dragged myself towards my assigned bed. I took the teddy bear I kept ever since I entered this place. This was the only memory I have of my parents. The parents that didn't want me.

"Goodnight mom and dad" I whispered to the teddy bear and drifted off to unconsciousness.

**

The sound of people running around screaming like a lunatic in the morning is never the best feeling in the world. Them being the crazy monkeys that they are kept on running here and there finding their clothes while here I am with fuzzy hair and sleepy eyes just stared at them with my mouth open. 

They were throwing shirts and even underwear everywhere and I somehow got a used one stuck to my head a couple of times and I would just groan loudly. I laid back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. 

Wonder why they're running around? Simple. There's a couple stopping by hoping to find someone to adopt. I didn't bother fixing myself though. After all the years that had passed with numerous couples stopping by and me trying to make a great impression and failed was enough to crash all the hopes and dreams that I had in finding a family.

"Girls! And Boys! They are here!" and in an instant we heard an engine being turned off. I looked outside the window and found two couple in their early 40's. It was time to go downstairs and file up in a line.

I turned around and came face to face with the other kids. They were all dressed in a cute dress and some formal clothes. While me, on the other hand, I'm still in my pajamas and I didn't even bother fixing my hair. I caught a glimpse of myself from the mirror and saw my disheveled hair and tired eyes. I didn't look pleasing. I sighed as I thought of the couple having the right to actually see me in proper appearance. So I put my hair in a messy bun and headed downstairs. 

What you see is what you get.

When I arrived down stairs, I found all the kids and teenagers already piled up and the couple actually communicating with them instead of just looking at them from up and down. They had wide smiles and a welcoming voice. And suddenly, my, I hoped, silent footsteps caught their attention. All eyes turned on me and I stared back. 

"Oh.. And this is..--"

"Hello. My name's Lucy" said the lady.

"And I'm Mark" said the dude.

"Hi." I replied shortly.

They glanced at each other knowingly and spoke to the woman.

"Looks like you've found a family." It took me a good five seconds or so to actually process what I was told. In realization, my eyes began to grow wide and a wide smile appeared on my face. 

"REALLY!?" 

"YES." 

"OH. MY. This is amazing..?" It was supposed to be enthusiastic but instead it came out as a question.

"Would you like to be part of our family?" the lady said. 

"Yes."

"Welcome sweetheart." the dude said.

"But why me?"

"I guess you'll know it when you feel it you know? The connection between us. I guess something just had you pulling towards us."

"This is amazing."

"But, before we get all excited. What's your name?"

"Oh." I murmured in realization that I haven't told them my name yet.