"No go back ... Don't follow me ... Please." She said pleading with her.
"I can't Ally ... Please no ... I just can't you're the only one I have left."
"No chicky go back I won't let you get dragged into this you mean too much to me. Girl just go back and stay safe. I got myself into this I will get myself out of it ok." Ally looked at her with desperation etched into every feature of her beautiful face. Her eyes fought of desperation and they pleaded with the other girl to leave.
"Fine ... Will I see you later Ally?" The other girl said looking sad and slightly defeated.
"You'll see me later ... I'll come back ... I promise"
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I shot up in my bed and clamped my hand over my mouth to muffle the scream. I couldn't wake up the other kids and Martha had always asked me to do this if I could remember to.
Perspiration droplets ran down my forehead. I went to the bathroom and set the shower to cold. Stripping down and stepping in I let the water rush over my head. Sobbing my heart, I felt raw, numb and non-existent.
An hour later I got out of the shower and left the orphanage seeing as it was only 4am. Before leaving I set all my work stuff out on the bed, grabbed my phone, headphones, camera and laptop I left the apartment. putting my keys in my pocket I trudged down to the small forest situated in the middle of Alexias.
Sitting down by the edge of the lake I pulled my laptop out, fired it up, put my headphones in and put on some low music. I liked doing photography and I wrote mini-stories. at the moment I was trying something a little more out of my comfort zone. I was writing an actual book. it was going ok I guess, I mean I didn't really know because I didn't have anyone to critique it. sitting beside the lake typing away I felt I could melt into the tree behind me and stay in what felt like my natural environment.
Half an hour of typing later and I started to hear footsteps. Whether they were of human or animal form I couldn't tell. grabbing my camera I turned it on and swept the surrounding area. after taking several shots of my surroundings and realising there was nobody around I went back to my creative place. It's almost like my own mind palace really.
I stayed until 6:30am and then I trudged back to the orphanage. I would have loved to stay out later but the early morning joggers were already out. Sunday morning, I could go home, set my alarm for nine and have some well-deserved rest.
And rest is exactly what I did.
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I awoke to the sound of banging. I could faintly hear it. I wearily got out of bed and fell flat on my face.
Great one Meghan just great!
I lay still and silent on the floor listening out for the noise again. getting up and walking down the stairs into the dining area the noise suddenly becomes very apparent. All of the kids are standing in a circle around Marcus. Because it's his birthday they are doing the birthday tradition. It's called The Rowd. All of the kids are standing there around Marcus (who is standing on a chair) and are banging pots and pans to the rhythm of Happy Birthday. The tradition started last year on a young girls birthday. They were singing Happy Birthday to her and I bumped some pots and pans. Miraculously they all fell to the floor in the same rhythm as 'Happy Birthday' so Martha named The Rowd the official birthday celebration.
Jogging back up the stairs I go in search of Marcus's present. You have to hide everything in this house otherwise all of the other kids find it and use it first. Finding his two presents behind the tiles under the sink in the bathroom I make my way back down the stairs. Walking over to Marcus I give him a hug and his presents. I then walk into the kitchen to start making the special birthday breakfast pancakes, bacon, eggs, fried banana and waffles.shortly after I enter the kitchen I hear a very boyish squeal and I immediately know that Marcus loves his presents.
Monday and Tuesday flew by in the blink of an eye. And before I knew it in my new ensuite on Wednesday morning. Saying goodbye was the worst thing I had ever had to do, Especially toward Marcus and Martha. I promised Marcus I would be back for his next birthday as 6 was a very big number.
My mind was officially blown when I stepped out of the town car and stood in front of the gates to the two-story, 16 bedroom home ... Or should I say mansion! My luggage (or as some would say the few boxes I owned) was taken into my "room", while Mr McIntyne gave me a tour of the mansion.
As soon as I stepped into my room I froze. The room had sunset orange walls with pale blue cornice and finishings. The feature wall had a black and mint green checkered pattern on it. There was a white desk with a matching, padded computer chair. The white bed frame was decked out in forest green and there were several bean bags in one corner with some cushions as well. Last but not least was the walk-in robe which was ten times larger than anything I would ever need.
The house was so wonderful that even on my first day of training I was so amazed that I was distracted. Being brought back to attention by Richard, I soon learned everything I needed to know. A week after my training finished and I was surprised to see that Mr McIntyne was sitting in the lounge sipping some tea. I hadn't made him that drink and just as I was about to ask the doorbell rang. As I was about to walk towards the door Mr McIntyne called out to leave it.
I thought this was strange as it was my job to answer the door among other things. As I was ascending the stairs to the second floor Mr McIntyne called out again asking me to join him in the lounge. Walking into the lounge I was immediately greeted with the sight of two unfamiliar people. But then again meeting new people is always a highlight of this job. Ushering me into a chair Mr McIntyne started the formalities.
"So Meghan, you already know Richard. I gave him an acknowledging nod. These are my kids Will and Grace."
I looked at them both and gave them acknowledging nods as well. After that, we fell into a very awkward silence and I fidgeted in my seat. We sat there for about a half-hour. Will and Gracie looked like they had just started a silent debate. Almost like they were egging each other to be the first to leave.
My phone buzzed in my pocket and I looked at every person in the room before I pulled it out. Seeing a text from Martha I opened it up.
Martha: hey sweetie ... So how is it? Xx
Meghan: Quite alright .. Busy right now message you when free. Xx
Martha: sure sweetheart xx
I slipped my phone back into my pocket and looked up to see everyone looking at me. I was about to ask everybody what was wrong when my boss announced that we could go back to our previous projects.
Walking out of the room and taking the stairs two at a time I was suddenly pushed to the side by an unknown force.
"Prissy snob, why don't you just grow some balls and just ask your daddy for the money you need? Just leave us alone."
Will continued up the stairs with a grunt. Sprinting down the hall once his feet hit the landing, he all but jumped inside his room and slammed the door.
I all but ran down the hallway after him and entered my room which was just across the hall from his and fell onto my bed. Pulling my pillow to my chest I started sobbing. Why did rich kids always assume that?
After writing the days events in my journal I fell into an uneasy sleep.
The next morning I woke up with a hoarse throat. I'm surprised I slept last night. Then I look at the clock on my bedside table and see that it's 2 am.
Great, I thought I went to sleep at 8pm after crying for an hour. Although there was relentless knocking on my door I didn't eat dinner. I turn on the light and rummaged around in my duffel bag for the small tin and plastic packaging.
Cracking open the tin I take out one of Martha's homemade biscuits. After savouring the taste and finishing it I turn towards my newly arrived package. Martha sent it three days ago and I don't know why but I haven't been able to open it yet. Opening the box I'm immediately overwhelmed with tears. It's full of photos from me and the other kids over the past year. Pulling a few out I immediately notice the first two as Lacey and Tim. They were 5 and 9. Both of them were adopted but we still missed them. The second picture I pulled out was of Marcus. Marcus was like a little brother to me. He was the only other child I had ever warmed up to the most. I still talked to and made friends with the other kids but I loved and missed Marcus the most.
When you become an orphan you learn to treasure every moment with the other kids that come in and out of the orphanage. Even with the adults. Once you go into an orphanage you join an ever-growing family.
Putting the photos back I saw some blu tack and some thumbtacks tucked safely inside the box. Immediately picking up the box I place it right beside the lamp. Grabbing the corkboard i had placed behind the desk I started pinning the photos all over the board.
By 3:30 I had finished with the photos and had pinned the board above my bed. I then pulled out my laptop and set to work.by the morning I had enrolled myself at Hartley West High. Realising it was 6 I got up and got ready. It was Thursday and I started work on Monday.
I ran downstairs as quietly as I could. I didn't know who would be up at this time but apparently, somebody is. Walking into the kitchen I see Richard and Mr McIntyne already sitting down eating breakfast. I walked over to the table and sat down.
"Mr McIntyne, sir ... I was wondering if I could go out this morning?" I didn't know if I had to ask or not but I thought it would be best.
"Where exactly are you going, Miss Walker?"
"I'm going to Hartley West High sir. I enrolled last night so that I could finish high school at home instead of actually leaving work all of the time."
He looked like he was considering it but then again. Ah well, I don't know.
"Miss Walker, you are aware that Will and Gracie go there?"
"um actually no I wasn't sir." I was ... Well, that was an ... Interesting piece of information.
" But yes you may go. Would you like someone to drive you? The hour walk is very tiring."
"um, no thank you sir ... Id um like to walk. Thank you anyway." giving him a small smile I went into the kitchen and poured myself a bowl of cereal.
I left a half-hour before Will and Gracie did. The schools uniform consisted of green and maroon. Grace wore a maroon skirt with a pale green shirt. She put her blonde hair into soft ringlets and applied some smoky eyeshadow to her bright blue eyes. To complete the look she had a white satchel and a cute pair of ankle boots.
Will wore a pair of dark green pants and a lighter maroon shirt. He had dress shoes and a grey backpack. He had styled his hair and his light grey eyes seemed to sparkle.
They were only just coming down the stairs as i left. Pulling the door shut behind me i put in my headphones and set off.