Beauty From Ashes

Chapter 1

My back against a tree, I close my eye and I listen to the rustling of the leaves as they get blown by the wind andthe birds singing their songs. Sitting in this spot makes me forget everything that is going on in my life. I usually come here and read a book or listen to my iPod. I spend most of my free time here. Though there always comes a time when I have to leave. I open my eyes and notice the sun is starting to set. Time to go back. I get up and grab my back pack on and pull my long black hair from underneath it. After I leave the park I walk 20 minutes home. Well, it's kind of a home. It's an orphanage.

Coming back from the park, I walk in the door and go towards the dining room. Everyone is around the table eating. I head to the kitchen and get the remaining soup and bread. There wasn't much left. I went over to the table and looked for a spot to sit. When I find one, I sit down. As I sit everyone around me scoots their chairs away from me. I eat in silence. When I am done, I go to the kitchen and wash and put away my dishes. I head over to the living room and sit at the chair by the window. I look outside. I wish I could be loved. I can't help but be who I am. I wish these powers would just go away! I hate them so much. If I didn't have them I could be normal and have friends. I shake my head, trying to clear my head of these thoughts. I stand up and head up and headed to bed to sleep.

I woke up and looked up at my alarm clock. It is 8:07am. I get up and go to the kitchen and made myself a sandwich, sat down and ate it. Then I got up and cleaned up my dishes and the ones left over from last night's dinner. After washing the dishes, putting them away, I wiped down the table and counters. I looked up at the clock again, 8:36am. I sighed, now what? I guess I'll go for a walk. I walked down my block, heading towards my park I usually go to. When I arrive I find my tree. I sit down and lean my back against the tree. I close my eyes and listen to the trees rustle in the wind, the birds singing, the children laughing in the distance... I wake up... I fell asleep. When did that happen? I look at my watch, 2:12. Crap. I need to go back. I missed lunch. I got up and started to walk back. I reached the orphanage and entered the door. No one greeted me. Of course no one noticed I was gone and that I missed both breakfast and lunch. Why would they? I should be used to this by now... I headed towards my room to grab a book.

"Maria!" A girl Jannet called.

I turned around, surprised. No one ever talks to me here... "Yeah?"

"The head mistress wants to see you." She informed me and walked away toward her other buddies. They started chatting again, laughing and stealing glances at me.

I turned and walked down the hallway. The head mistress? What did she want? Did I do something wrong? I reached the door and took a deep breath and then let it out. I knocked on the door gently.

"Come in" a voice called.

I opened the door. The head mistress was sitter her desk, as usual. She was a lady who was 48 years old. Her grayish brown hair was in a tight bun, as it always was. She wore a long sleeved shirt with a maxi skirt. I walk in and shut the door behind me. I stood in front of her desk.

"Maria" she started "there is a family that would like to adopt you."

"What?" I said shocked. It is rare for a 17 year old to be adopted. Especially with my record of always being returned so many times.

"Don't make me repeat myself." She said harshly "I'm sure you wouldn't know this so I'll tell you. His name is Matthew Steel; He runs a famous Music publishing business. A pretty decent catch, especially for someone like you. He saw you the last time we had adoptions. He said he liked you... sees how much he really knows you..." she muttered the last part. "He will pick you up in 30 minutes. Its short notice but it's not my fault you were out so late. Get your stuff ready." She finished.

"Yes head mistress." I turned around and opened the door

"Maria" the head mistress called.

I looked back. "Yes head mistress?"

"Don't screw this up. This is probably the last chance you'll get." She told me firmly.

"Yes headmistress. " I responded. I closed the door behind me. I started to walk to the main bed chambers where everyone slept. I heard the whispers as I went.

"Maria got adopted?!"

"Lucky bitch, she doesn't deserve it."

"She will probably come back soon anyways, like always." She giggled

"Yea, as soon as they find out that she is a monster." She laughs and the other join in.

I kept walking. It's understandable she is shocked. Heck I am shocked. Someone like me got adopted? That just doesn't happen... it shouldn't happen. There are so many others who need a good home. Someone like me doesn't deserve it.... Plus a famous guy? I wonder what he is like? What is his house like? Will he be nice? Will this time be different? NO Maria stop it. Don't get excited. He will turn out like the rest. Once they find out what you really are you will be back, just like all the other times. I mean, who wants a mind reading monster in their house?

I get to my bed and reach underneath it for my suitcase. I set it on my bed. I go to my dresser and pull out the little amount of clothes I own. I also pack the other things I own like a comb, toothbrush, etc. I reach to the top of the dresser and pick up a small music box I've had since I was a kid. It was a handmade wooden with an intricate design on the sides and a flower painted on the top. It played the tune First love by Utada hikaru. I gently put it in my bag and made sure it was safely secured. All my treasures were in that box. Then I take the few books I own and put it in my backpack. I double check that I have my iPod. I can't imagine being without it. I put it in my front pocket of my backpack

I hear a door open and close downstairs followed by excited chatter. I get up and grab my small suitcase and backpack, putting it on, and without looking back I headed downstairs towards my new guardian.

I pause at the doorway to the place he would be waiting, the main lobby. I took a deep breath to calm myself. In... and out. Then I opened the door and stepped into the room. The girls were in the room staring at the man by the entrance, chattering excitedly. The boys were uninterested and were walking away to find something to do or were talking among themselves. I looked at my new "dad." He had long dark brown hair that was pulled into a short ponytail. He wore a black drench coat with dress pants. I realized I do recognize him from last time we had "guests." I had talked to him for a short period of time. I see him talking to the head mistress. I walked over to him. He noticed me and smiled.

"Hello Maria."

"Hello..."

"I don't know if you remember but I'll introduce myself again anyways. I am Matthew Steele. But you can call me Matt." He held out his hand. I released one of my hands from my suitcase and shook his hand

"Well we should get going." He said grabbing my suitcase.

"Ah- I can take that."

"No need let me do it for you."

He turned and said goodbye to the head mistress and left the building, I followed him, closing the door behind us. We walked down to his Toyota. He put my suitcase in the back while I go in the front seat, putting my backpack on the floor by my feet. He got in the car and started driving.

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Hello everyone! Tikvah here. This is my first story I've ever committed to. There may be some grammar issues so i apologize for that. I just wanted to get the story out there so i could feel encouraged to continue. Plus when ever i tried to fix it the story seemed to get worse xD

Don't forget to comment and like below! feel free to give me constructive criticism!

I Hope you enjoyed this

Tikvah