It was noon, clouds covered the sky, blocking the sun's ray to contact the grasses and trees. A cool wind blew across the lands' surface, enticing people to come out of their houses and enjoy the pleasure that nature offered.
Beneath a tree, a boy was sitting and reading a book, titled: 'The deity that fooled everyone'.
A gentle wind caressed his messy, Ash-grey hair, and the colour of his eyes that matched his hair was fully absorbed in the book. He was wearing a plain white shirt mixed with some brown stains that came from the ground where he sat. His khaki short matched the color of the tree where he was leaning.
"Lev!" A boy shouted while running towards him. He was waving his hand, greeting him.
The kid stood in front of Lev while panting. He placed his hands on his waist and tried to catch his breath. He was wearing the same colored shirt. But unlike Lev's, his shirt was covered with brown stains and speckles of mud could be found all over his body.
Lev lifted his chin and sighed, "How long have you been playing? You've got dirt all over your body." He carried the book on his left hand and stood while shaking his head, "Kaz, I'm really amazed at how much energy you have. Just seeing you play around makes me tired."
Lev was a reserved-type. He enjoyed being alone and liked reading books. His short height and skinny body complimented his conservative appearance. If not for his hair color, then he would have enjoyed his life standing in the shadows, and not in the limelight.
Meanwhile, Kaz was the opposite. He had an energetic vibe coming off of him and his cheery mood made everyone in the orphanage revered him.
His nut-brown hair was drenched in sweat. The corners of his thin lips curled up, revealing gleaming white teeth. He wiped the sweat on his forehead using his right hand as he excitedly exclaimed:
"There's something urgent happening in the orphanage. I saw a man and a woman stepping out of the car, and I assumed that they might be husband and wife, so I quickly ran to inform you about this matter. I think they're looking to adopt someone, " he spoke quickly without a rest.
Lev redirected his gaze towards the fair-sized mansion that was afar. It was an old Victorian home, dating back to the 19th century. It hadn't lost its grand splendour, and the playground that was on the back of the mansion was already left empty.
He looked back at Kaz and said, "You know that I have zero chance of being adopted, right?" Lev raised his arm and pointed at his hair.
Kaz replied, "Aside from your hair and your cold temperament, everything's... a-okay."
Lev didn't say anything. He just glared at him with his half-closed eyes which made him look bored and sleepy.
"A-anyway, let's head back to the orphanage." Kaz stuttered as he turned and walked back.
Lev inwardly sighed and quickly walked until he arrived beside Kaz. He folded the edge of the page he was reading and closed the book.
"What's it about?" Kaz asked while brushing off the dirt that was on his clothes and on his arms.
"Huh?"
"The book— What's the story about?"
"Oh." He looked at the front page of the book and replied, "A deity which rose into power by fooling everyone. Why are you asking me this?"
"Nothing. I just noticed that you like to read fantasies rather than educational books." Kaz said in response. He hand-combed his hair and wiped the sweat on his neck, appearing more organised yet still dirty.
"Those are boring. I only read books which pique my interest, and most of them are fantasy and-"
"Romance?" Kaz interrupted.
"Ew. No." Lev looked at him with a disgusted face. "Why would a 15 year old boy take interest in love?"
"Hahaha. But seriously, you need to learn some new things too, you know. Someday in the future, we will need to find a good job, and it is easier to find one and be hired when you have good grades," Kaz said with a serious tone.
When it comes to education, Kaz was strict and serious. He believed that having high grades was a golden ticket for having a good life.
They arrived at the mansion and entered through the back door. The floor was dirtied with mud, but apart from that, everything was neat and tidy. The ground floor had multiple rooms in it: Dining room, Living room, Library, Kitchen, and Laundry room. The second floor were multiple rooms where the orphans slept.
The guests were sitting in the center of the Living room, and facing them was a middle-aged woman with saggy cheeks and wrinkled-skin. Her short, raven-black hair had strands of white hair and a mole can be found on her right cheek. She wore a black dress and a light brown cardigan which brightened up her honey skinned tone. A maid was standing behind her, and behind the maid were orphans that were wearing white shirts. They stood quietly, listening to the discussion that was developing.
"What are your preferences in selecting a child?" Matilda asked with a deep and authoritative voice. She took the porcelain cup that was in front of her and took a sip, then placed it back to the saucer.
The lady that was wearing a dark brown coat and a knee-length skirt answered, "A boy that knows how to read and write, maybe in his teens."
"Also, unique from the rest of the normal kids. The type that catches one's attention immediately." The man, who was sitting beside the lady, added. He wore a business casual, button-down shirt, trousers, a dress shoes, and a dark blue coat. He had an attractive face: oval-shaped, high cheekbones, stubble facial hair, and a deep-set, light blue eyes.
At that moment, Lev and Kaz entered the room.
Everyone's gaze landed on the two, including the guests. Instantly, Lev felt the pressure of being stared at.
I shouldn't have come... Lev's thought was in a disarray and cold sweat started to accumulate on his back. The feeling of being stared by everyone made his heartbeat fast and he felt butterflies forming in his stomach.