Orphan

One

"My love for you is evermore."

This was the last sentence of the book that Mallory read, before closing it. She turned the book over, admiring the front page, taking in the story that ended so fast. She was a sucker for romance books, always seeking new ones as soon as she entered the library. She knew that most of the folk 'resented' such genre, simply cause 'it always has the same main premises, and has a happy ending'.

But Mallory found comfort in such books. Her life was anything but romantic, full of love or happiness.  She always wondered, how different her life would be like if she got to experience the same things that the books' protagonists did.

"You're still reading that crap?"

Mallory looked up from the book she was holding. Her friend Tommy was looking at her, his hands crossed over his chest.

"Can't you put it away and do something fun instead?" He asked her, his voice filled with annoyance. "You should come out and play with the rest of us, you know, like a normal child," he added, keeping his voice stern.

Mallory was a child indeed, but she did not know the meaning of the word. "Thanks for inviting me, Tommy, but I'll have to decline," she answered him, looking away from him and back to the book. She placed a book under her pillow.

Tommy sighed in annoyance, putting both of his hands on his face. "Agh! Why are you like this, Mal?" He asked her, frustrated. "Don't you want to at least try and live a 'normal' life or have some kind of fun childhood memories?" She looked back up at him, smile appearing on her lips.

She liked Tommy. Platonically. He was her only true friend in the whole orphanage. He knew most of her story, of what had happened to her, but not a whole one. Due to her upbringing, she did not know how to interact with people in a way that they do. As she was mostly left alone, she found peace in books, stories which made her feel like they were happening in front of her eyes.

"You know what, I don't care, I'm dragging you with me." With that said, he grabbed her by the arm and pulled her behind him. She didn't resist his pull, but simply followed him behind.

They walked in a fast pace through the corridors of an orphanage, passing the dull walls, smelling the empty and sorrow-filled stench that was emitting of the small holes in the walls. Mallory got used to the smell, as it reminded her of home. Bad memories, filled with nothing of what the books she read were full of.

They finally arrived to the courtyard, where the rest of the children were hanging out. Tommy released her arm, joining other boys, playing tag. Mallory watched Tommy leave her, joining the other group, just as she heard a chuckle from behind her. She didn't have to turn to know whose chuckle that was.

Julia, she thought to herself. The girl who didn't like her since the day she came to the orphanage. Julia and the rest of the girls would always pick on her, mocking her and try to get a reaction out of Mallory. Tommy always said to her that she needs to stand up to them, shutting them down, but she would never do such a thing.

Madam Folley, their caretaker, was sitting on a chair, watching over the children. She was kind and caring, always making sure every child felt loved, until the day they would be adopted. Mallory liked her, but never showed it to her. She didn't know how to.

"Mallory, won't you join them?" Madam Folley asked her, fixing her glasses. "I will," Mallory answered her, no emotion present in her response. Madam Folley gestured to the group of girls, sitting in a grass and playing with rocks. Mallory looked at he girls and headed their way.

As she came to them, she sat down on the blanket, and looked at the rocks that were laying before them. The three girls exchanged their looks and stopped the game.

"Uhm, what are you doing?" The oldest of the group, Marie, asked her. Mallory didn't answer and grabbed one of the rocks in her hand, looking at it.

"It's a boring rock, why are you so focused on it?" The second girl, Holly, asked her. "Holly, don't bother, you know she's weird," Marie answered her, rolling her eyes.

"Do you want to join us in a game?" The youngest of all girls, Elizabeth, asked her. Both Marie and Holly looked at her, staring daggers at her, communicating not to ask Mallory to join them. "Can't you see she's a freak, Liz? Don't bother with her," Marie said and gestured to Holly, signalling for them to move away from Mallory.

"Come on, let's join the others," Marie went on and both her and Holly stood up. "Liz? You coming?" Marie asked her, as Elizabeth stared at the ground. "Whatever," said Marie and left with Holly following her.

Mallory and Elizabeth were sitting on a blanket in silence for some seconds. Elizabeth was the first to break the silence.

"Now then, let me teach you how to play."