Turned Table (phan)

Chapter One

Dan clenched his teeth, avoiding shuddering as a gust of cold wind hit his arms through his thin coat. He rounded the corner to the street, slowing his walking speed in an attempt to put off the inevitable.
Although the sun had not risen yet, Dan kept his head low as he approached the doors of the orphanage, constant anxiety about the fact that someone at school might notice he doesn't live with any parents. Dan's parents had abandoned him and his brother, Adrian, without any explanation when Dan was only seven. He knew even then that he would never see his parents again.
Nearly ten years later, Dan was seventeen and Adrian had just turned ten. In seven months, Dan would be free to leave the orphanage, but until he had a stable life, Adrian could not come with.
Dan slipped through the front doors and into the eerily quiet hall. Glancing at the festive decor for Christmas, Dan hung his coat on the rack and slid off his sneakers.
It was Christmas Eve today, but Dan was hardly excited; tomorrow would be ten years since his parents had left him and Adrian. Merry Christmas, he thought bitterly, cringing at every creak the old staircase to the second floor made. He snuck back into his room, which he shared with Adrian, and sat on his bed.
"Johanna will destroy you if she finds you sneaking out again," Dan heard Adrian's prepubescent voice whisper.
Dan smiled a bit to himself and lay back onto his bed. "But you're the only one who manages to notice," Dan said to his brother, not turning to look at him.
"Please don't do anything to have to stay longer," Adrian spoke cautiously, almost worried of being overheard.
"Adrian," Dan replied tiredly, using a teasing pet name, "this isn't a prison. Johanna doesn't want me here anymore than I want to be here." There was no answer, so Dan rolled over and smiled at Adrian. "I'll be fine."
Adrian smiled and Dan got up, walking to the piano keyboard that his parents had bought him before they'd left. He began to play and hum, until he heard Adrian's breathing steady as he fell asleep again.
Glancing at the clock, Dan decided he might as well sleep. It was only five in the morning, and there was nothing better to do. Dan lay down and fell asleep to Adrian's even breath.

"Daniel, Adrian," Johanna tapped loudly on the door. "You'd better be downstairs in ten minutes if you expect any breakfast this morning."
Dan groaned, shoving his pillow into his face. Slowly, he lifted his head and looked over at Adrian who sat on his bed ready for the day, waiting, it seemed, for Dan. He still had some jeans and a t-shirt on from his midnight walk, so he got out of bed and ran his fingers through his hair before walking with Adrian to the dining room.
There were fifteen kids in the home. Dan had never clicked with any of them, but he smiled when Adrian ran to the end of the long table to sit by his friend Kylie. Kylie was eleven and Adrian and Kylie were both on their school football team. Dan liked Kylie a lot; she was outgoing, and Dan always saw her and Adrian laughing about inside jokes.
Dan sat at the same place he always did, taking his time to eat the small portion of food on his plate.
"Hey, faggot. What's up?"
Dan looked up at Jonah and smiled. He and Jonah weren't friends, but he knew Jonah had trouble sleeping as well. He could see the bags under Jonah's eyes, and a glance let Dan know that Jonah hadn't been in all night either. He knew that Jonah was asking if anything had happened last night in regards to Johanna catching him or not.
"Nothing much. You?"
"Same."
Jonah nodded satisfied, and turned to talk with his small cluster of friends, all about Dan's age. Dan kept his eye on the other end of the table, where the younger kids sat. There were two toddlers and a baby, but they ate in the kitchen with Johanna. A five and six year old sat by the door, squealing excitedly and Dan just caught the word "Christmas" before turning away. Despite his usual optimism towards others, Dan couldn't bring himself to appreciate the wonder in their faces. He was already dreading their disappointment tomorrow.
On that thought, Dan wasn't so hungry anymore. He picked up his plate and washed it quickly, walking back up to his room. He pulled out some books from school and started to study. He had just written down his first math equation when a single knock hit his door before it opened. He groaned when he realized he hadn't locked it.
"Daniel?" Johanna stepped into the room and sat next to him on his bed. "How're you doing?"
"Fine," Dan replied tersely. He thought better of it and added, "How are you?"
"I'm very good, thank you," she replied and Dan wondered what she was trying to get at. Johanna hesitated before stating, "You know, tomorrow is Christmas."
Dan stiffened. Every year she came to talk to him and every year he replied the same way. "I don't want to talk about it."
"I'd like to talk about something else, actually." Dan glanced up from his math problem and stared at her, confused. "As you know, a child of seventeen years of age can live on his own if his welfare isn't in any danger, and I think it might be alright if you were to leave our home a little early."
Dan remained speechless. Yes, it was allowed, but only if someone was considered responsible. He couldn't imagine this was for his benefit. "Why?"
"You want to stay?" Johanna asked.
"No, I mean- not really. But why are you not making me?"
"I think you are mature enough." Johanna glanced away for a second, confirming Dan's idea.
"You need more room, right? Someone else is coming. Who?"
Johanna sighed. "A boy named Timothy. He's thirteen. He's being moved here at the end of the year."
There was silence as Dan got lost in his thoughts and Johanna shifted uncomfortably on the bed, before she stood and smiled slightly at Dan. "You're free to go at any time."
It was statements like that which allowed Dan to imagine that maybe Adrian wasn't too far off by assuming this place was a prison.