I spent the night fixing up the rooms. I washed bedsheets, clothing, and dirty towels. By the time I was done, everyone was sound asleep. I quietly snuck back into the olders area. Laying in my bed, I imagined what life would be like if I hadn't lost my parents. Sometimes I longed for someone to save me from this place. But deep down, I knew no one would. No one had wanted me for the last six years, so no one would want me now. I pushed the thoughts out of my head and turned in for the night.
The next morning, I was woken by the sun shining through the window. I noticed that the curtains had been drawn back. I was too exhausted to question it, so I got up and dressed for the day. When I returned to the room after a shower, Ms. Ivory burst into the room. She had on a nice dress and her hair was neatly done. "Get up you maggots. Some people are coming today. You all need to be dressed and out in the main hall by eight," she said, then stormed out towards her room. Everyone groaned and sat up. They each took turns getting showers and getting dressed. When all the children were in the main hall, Ms. Ivory took some puzzles and games from behind her back. She threw them at us. "Play with these, if any of you act up when the visitors show up, then I'll-" she was interrupted by the doorbell.
She let the guests in, a male and a female. Seemingly in their mid-thirties. The woman had natural blond silky hair that faded into blue towards the end. Her eyes were an auburn color and fierce. However, she had a kind smile and a motherly aura to her. The man next to her held her hand. He had a wedding band and she a ring. His hair was to his shoulders and dirty blonde. He seemed nice as well. She flashed her best fake smile at them. Seeming to buy it, they smiled back. "All the children are right in here," Ms. Ivory said leading them to where we sat. "Take your time getting to know them and let me know if you pick one," and just like that she was gone. The lady looked over, scanning over us.
"Hello, I'm Marie. This is my husband, Yulan," she said, then gestured to the man next to her.
He waved at us, seeming to not need to introduce himself. They both walked over and sat on the couch by us. They asked us our names and what we like to do. After they met everyone, we all seem to separate back into our groups. They watched us for a while longer, then they walked over to me. We all went to the back corner of the room.
When we were out of earshot, they said, "We want to adopt you. Do you want us to be your new parents?" I couldn't believe my ears. After so many years, someone actually wanted me. I nodded frantically. They laughed at my response.
"Do you know where that nice lady, what was her name, Ms. Ivory went?" Marie asked.
I got up and showed her the way to Ms. Ivory's office. When we got there, she looked surprised that they had chosen me. I was told to go retrieve my belongings while they signed the adoption papers.
It didn't take long to gather my belongings. I was back before they finished signing. We soon left and were on the road. The roads and the streets were gorgeous, especially at this time of year, spring. As we passed by house after house, I felt the hope begin to rise in my chest. The hope of a fresh start, a new life, that had just begun.
