"How would I ever know what life has for me? I just need to do everything what's on my path and pursue what's there to pursue" I need to take care of myself. I think, I learned that too early and the hard way"
Excellent student, straight A's, teachers' pet, athletic, always on honorable mention, and best friend to all. That is what they see when they see me pass them. I did what I could to survive anyway. When you lived your whole life in an orphanage and got freedom just a year ago, you will not put yourself to a lot more messier things in the future.
"That's what I think at least, I am on the right path of what I seem to want for myself, for now…"
I just want to live as normal as possible, since I already knew that I did not have parents. I guess, I do, but they left me in that orphanage without me knowing who they are. I got in and out of there for 18 years and they did not even care to take me back. I have experienced a lot of foster parents but I end up getting back. At first, it hurts, it's confusing, and it makes me feel heartbroken but I don't want to see myself in the streets begging for other people just to eat and have a proper roof over my head. I learned how to smile in a way that looks as genuine as possible, just to please people.
I am in my first year in this University but I worked my ass off to get here. I know, my first step is education as the key to carrying my own. I need a degree to let people know that I have a future worthy of what I came from, and I want to let the people who gave birth to me that this is the person they left, wherever they may be. I will build my own great family on my own and never ever leave them. I will build my own future and I will be proud of myself.
"Hey Grei, why do you always read? We don't even have classes tomorrow?" says Margie who could not stop applying her makeup in front of the mirror.
I was around 13, almost 14 years old when my 4th foster family took me out of the orphanage. They gave us 5 months to get along with each other but it stretched out to one year. This family has 3 kids, 2 biological daughters and there is me, a foster kid because their parents want to adopt a boy in the family.
"It is because I have to learn this subject before it gets difficult to follow in classes"
Margie is the second child in the family, she's 14 but we were in the same class and she is the eldest Barbie, she's 17 and always stays in her room all day, studying, or just keeping herself busy. They get along, but not too close, I could say that Margie talks to me more often than they do to each other. For a year that I stayed in their home, I learned to not get in their way, especially my foster parents, and just continue the opportunity of letting me study in that expensive-looking, private Junior high school. I still remember, at the age of 7, the orphanage got me into a public school, that's where I needed to excel for the best before the teachers could actually see or remember me. And when Mr. and Mrs. Bumi took me in and applied me to an entrance exam which I passed and without holding back a level, they already registered me with their surname, naming me Gorgie Bumi. They got really happy and spent other things on me. Now, I just want to continue and not fail their expectations for them not to think that I am just wasting their money.
I learned that Mr. and Mrs. Bumi's business is doing better for we are getting more things, whenever they get home.
"How was school, Grei?" asked Mrs. Bumi over dinner. Mr. Bumi sitting at the end of the table, beside him is Mrs. Bumi, and across her is Barbie. I sit beside Barbie and Margie sits in front of me.
"It was great and I would like to take this opportunity to invite you Mr. and Mrs. Bumi to attend the parents' conference on Friday, my teachers specifically say that you should attend"
"Wow! That must mean that I am going to put more medals on you, do I?" Mrs. Bumi never fails to smile for me and Mr. Bumi sits straight and acts so proud.
"This is the best foster family I could ever ask for, normal and perfect."
"Mom" Margie giggles as she talks "Grei is always top of the class, and no one ever wants to mess with me whenever I mention that he's my brother"
"That's good to hear" Mrs. Bumi flashed her sweetest smile.
She held hands with Mr. Bumi, and they smiled to each other like they're talking through their gestures. Then Mrs. Bumi turned to me while she still squeezes Mr. Bumi's hand.
"Honey, I think, this is the best time to tell them the great news" As per Mrs. Bumi.
"I know it has been late" Mr. Bumi stated "We had a little bit of difficulty for this is not your first foster family, long paper works and a lot of negotiating happened"
"But we did it!" Mrs. Bumi cut Mr. Bumi "We are now allowed to adopt you!"
Mrs. Bumi was crying, Margie was jumping from her chair, Barbie stood and took out a cake from the fridge and I was totally stunned. Mr. Bumi took out an envelope with papers and pen, after flipping the pages, he pointed out sections.
"Just sign here Grei and you will be officially part of the Bumi"
I do not know how I will feel at that moment, I feel happy but I still remember all the things that happened to me. While I write my name on those papers, tear run down my cheeks.