Lyra(2018)
Lyra focused on the light of the morning sky, it sprinkled across the dewy lawn with an annoying shimmer. She never really hated the start of the day, it's just that she didn't care for it, too many mundane tasks and too little energy. The combination wasn't one that she favored. The windows of the old Mooretown Orphanage were hanging on by a thread and Lyra was sure if she breathed in the wrong direction, they would tumble down onto the overgrown mess of a lawn, leaving broken glass and splintered wood scattered for her to clean up. She was the oldest, turning 18 tomorrow, and so most of the household chores were her responsibility. She didn't mind though, she liked to keep to herself, and the few books she had to her name. She felt a smile creep onto her face as she watched the younger girls dancing aimlessly in the wet grass. She would miss this place, sure, but Lyra was not fond of having to be around so many people all the time, and the headmaster really took pleasure in getting on her nerves.
Clothing wasn't really something the girls had in abundance, and she was going to make sure she left a few of her best pieces to some of the younger girls before she left. Lyra had her heart set on anywhere near or around the west coast, though she never really knew why. As she pulled on her only pair of black leggings, and a ratted gray shirt, she made her way to the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth. A splintered, barely glued together mirror sat above the smallest sink Lyra had ever seen in her life, and showed a worn down, stressed woman. Pale blonde, nearly white hair, framed her face and trailed down her spine in large ringlets, some of them knotted from the sleep she had just woken up from. Eyes that were once a nearly polished silver, were a lackluster gray that dulled from the nonstop work she'd accumulate from school and home. Though she was the oldest of the children, Lyra was nearing the shortest at 5 feet and 2 inches. It should have made her an easy target at school, but in reality she kept to herself and others left her alone. To her, school and the orphanage were a sort of purgatory. Nothing too terrible and nothing really incredible, and that was just fine for her.
Lyra had a lot on her shoulders the past few years and Dr. Roland had been on her repeatedly about her future. She was an intense person, Dr. Roland, but she meant well, and made sure that Lyra was taken care of. She would have to meet with her after breakfast, and to say she was nervous, was an understatement.
Mama Jan, the home's cook, and a true mother figure, was waiting for Lyra at the end of the stairs, smiling wide and bright. Lyra's heart warmed at the crazy old woman, and knew in her soul that Mama Jan would be the person that she would miss the most. She'd memorized the short gray hairs that peaked out from her short auburn hair, the dirty white apron that was a part of who she was at this point, and the kindest smile that complimented her chestnut eyes. "Come, my dear, I saved you some breakfast. Some eggs and bacon okay with you?" Her voice shook Lyra from a distant state. She could only nod at Mama Jan, the sleepiness would ring clear in her own voice if she responded instantly.
As they made their way into the kitchen, Lyra cleared her throat, made her way towards the old run down dining table. When she turned to look at Mama Jan she finally spoke, "Of course, Mama Jan, they're my favorite, you know that." Mama Jan shook with laughter and grabbed a paper plate with a warm breakfast, placing it at the end of the table for her. "I know dear. Don't I know it? Now dear, before you make your way over to Dr. Roland, Ms. Hitridge wants a word." Mama Jan became stern, and worry overtook her features. The headmaster of the orphanage, was quite the personality, and even more so had it out for Lyra is the most sickening way. Everyone was on their toes with her around, but it was Lyra that took the brunt of her snide remarks and petty behavior. "I know you don't like having to deal with her directly, but remember you won't be here much longer, and you will never have to deal with her again." Ms. Hitridge was the bane of Lyra's existence, and she knew it. From the start, Ms. Hitridge saw Lyra as a devil child. No one knew why she was the only one that got under her skin, but the hatred was there, loud and clear. With this in mind, naturally Ms. Hitridge would do whatever she could to load more work onto Lyra. It irritated her, but in all honesty, most of the time they were at a standstill. Mama Jan would stand up for Lyra, and Dr. Roland would threaten to report Ms. Hitridge to the board. In turn Ms. Hitridge would just passive aggressively address Lyra, offering a feigned apology and more computer privileges. Quite the annoying game if you asked her. Lyra swallowed the last of her food when she replied to Mama Jan. "It's no bother she probably wants to tell me everything that needs to be done before I leave, chores wise. I'll be okay Mama Jan." Lyra sipped the last bit of orange juice from her glass. The mood in the room instantly shifted to a somber one. "I'm gonna miss you so much." She held back a cry, and rushed into Mama Jan's arms. "Oh, sweetie, you know I'll miss you too. Eighteen whole years and counting, you know you are going to call and write to me from wherever your wondrous heart goes." Mama Jan held her tighter before releasing her from her arms. "I was thinking about traveling to the west coast maybe? But, of course, you know I'll call and write, maybe send a postcard or two?" Lyra tried to joke, in hopes to release the tension from her sudden outburst. Mama Jan nodded, holding back her own tears as Lyra mustered up enough courage and left the room to deal with the devil herself. Lyra shuddered at the thought of having a conversation with the woman, but better done sooner rather than later.
That woman's office was absolutely suffocating, and smelled of stale chips and diet coke. It made Lyra gag on her recent meal. Ms. Hitridge being in her thirties, would expect to look youthful or at the very least put together, given her title, but she looked worn down and possibly in her late forties if you squint hard enough. Her short blonde hair was disheveled and frizzed with years of bleach, and her glasses were awkwardly small on her putrid face. Turning to face the old woman, she was met with an ice cold stare and a twisted smirk. "Ah yes, Ms. Serrano, it is lovely to see you on this fine morning. How are you?" Ms. Hitridge's voice sliced through her eardrums, and Lyra held back a cringe. "Quite fine, Ms. Hitridge, what is it that you wanted to talk to me about?" The question was innocent enough to those who didn't know, but Lyra made sure to slide in a certain amount of venom. Subtle enough to not get in trouble, but clear enough that Ms. Hitridge stood up a smidge straighter. "I understand that it was the agreement that you had two months to stay here until you were able to settle elsewhere, but unfortunately" Her voice was too sweet, almost sickly, Lyra swallowed a lump forming in her throat and held her breath, "There has been an accident involving children you know i very well can't go into detail on the situation. Confidentiality, of course. Nonetheless, we are taking them in, and unfortunately there will no longer be enough room for you in the home. You are to pack your belongings and you are to leave the premises in no later than a week's time. Understood?" Lyra's eyes widened in shock and her heartbeat sped to unnatural heights. This was Ms. Hitridge's final move, the one that would ensure her win in this long winded 18 year battle of absolute pettiness. "You can't do this! We had an agreement!" Lyra's rage was bubbling to unsettling heights, and she tried her best to reign that in. Losing control in an argument would end badly with the old hag, and Lyra needed to keep a level head. "We had an agreement, and Dr. Roland was there to witness it" Her voice returned to a somewhat more calm state, but she knew the rage was evident. "In cases of emergencies, though, that agreement has to go out the window, and by law I have to take in any children in the county that need help. Also by law-" Hitridge's sneer became more sinister, and made her stomach churn, "Once you turn 18 years of age, you are no longer my responsibility." Lyra's blood ran cold, and her breath was caught in her throat. The law was the law and this time her sinister words were true. Cruel and true.
Sulking from Hitridge's office, she made her way down the hall and into Dr. Roland's office. Today was not going well for Lyra and all she wanted to do was take a nap even though she hadn't even been up for an hour. Dr. Roland could tell this as she made her way over to a distraught Lyra. "Honey, what's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost." With a harrowing breath, Lyra regained what was left of her composure. "Hitridge is kicking me out in a week and i haven't closed on any apartments, Hell! I haven't even had any applications accepted anywhere on the west coast." Her voice felt far away and small. Like she had heard herself at the end of a long, grueling tunnel. "What? There was an agreement in place. How is that even possible?" Dr. Roland sounded shocked and angry at the situation. "That goes out the window in emergency cases, and apparently there is a big emergency now." Lyra was being harsh, she knew if children needed a home, she wouldn't think twice to give up her place, but she knew Hitridge's ill intentions behind her actions and it fueled a white hot rage within her. "The law is on her side with this one Dr. Roland. She's won the final round and that can't be good for her incredibly large ego." Lyra scoffed to mask the hurt in her voice. Dr. Roland sighed, shaking her head. "Well you might not exactly be on the losing side either Lyra." she started opening her large file cabinet and finally landing on Lyra's name. "Now, I'm not sure what is inside this envelope. It was strictly only to be given to you on your eighteenth birthday, and it was given to me only a few weeks after your arrival to Mooretown. A rather large man in a suit and very stern looking, probably taller than a tree if I might add." Dr. Roland chuckled. "That's probably why I remember so clearly. Anyway, the guy looked plenty rich, and maybe he was kind enough to leave some money for you to get started?" Lyra, in a shocked and confused state reluctantly took the large, rusty orange envelope from her. To say she was nervous was clearly an understatement. This could go one of two ways, and with Lyra's luck she was headed for the least desired way.