"Big sis~."
"Come on big sis, I wanna eat~."
"I'm hungry~."
Hearing cute, tiny voices, I slowly open my eyes to see all the children of the orphanage standing beside my make-shift bed on the floor. I rub my eyes and let out a yawn as my golden orbs scan my surroundings. All the kids looked a bit unhappy.
"..."
I look at the broken, yet functional, clock on the wall.
"Oh...it's already almost 10am... I'm sorry I slept so long. Didn't that drunk eat any of you kids?"
"No."
"He's passed out again."
"The bottle he has this time is bigger than my arm."
A sigh escapes my lips. "I see...that good for nothing as-", I quickly cover my mouth.
Jade behave...you can't curse in front of kids. Especially these sweethearts.
I remove my hand. "Well, let me get ready, okay?" I smile at all the children. "Then I'll make us brunch. How does that sound?"
The children immediately brighten up and cheer as I get up to start my day. I go to the shared bathroom to shower, then brush my long raven hair which had a tint of blue to it.
My name is Jade. I'm fourteen years old, the oldest in this joint. I've been in and out of every orphanage in the country ever since the tender age of six. My father abandoned me before I was born. My mother neglected and abused me, and at one point almost caused my death from starvation. Luckily, I was taken away...but that didn't stop my hatred for them.
Ever since then, I've been adopted and brought back about...seventeen times... I know that's a lot. Well, the issue is...I hate families, mostly fake parents. I hate strangers trying to pretend to be my mother or father and boss me around. They don't love me, no one does. Seeing them happy and act like a family...well, I don't like it.
I lash out at them, and they bring me back saying there's something wrong with me or that I'm "broken". They say who could ever love a child like me... Or that I'm just not meant for family life... That I'll be alone forever... I hate families. I don't need them.
Honestly...the kids I met in every orphanage are more like family than any adult could ever be to me. But sadly...I don't see them anymore. Because of my bad reputation, the orphanages kick me out and send me packing to a new one every few months. I know they're just passing me on till I turn eighteen. Once I'm too old they'll throw me out of the streets...I know it.
"..."
I tie a white bow in my hair to hold my ponytail. I slap my cheeks before staring at my mirror reflection.
"Focus Jade...no more bad energy. The kids need you." A tiny smile forms on my features. "Time to go cook."
Once ready, I leave the bathroom and almost smack right into one of the kids.
"Oh, I'm sorry...Anya?"
A little girl with the biggest and brightest green eyes looks up at me as she holds a stuffed toy close to her chest. Her pink hair was a mess, indicating she had also just woken up a bit ago. She looks up at me and smiles. Her smile always made me day when I saw it. The other kids, however, don't seem to like her very much. They avoid her and she barely talks to them.
"Good morning, Anya." I beam. "I'm going to make everyone some food, care to help me?"
She nods her cute little head.
"Yes!"
I take a hold of her hand. "Okay. Come on." We head for the kitchen together.
××××Time Skip××××
After everyone fills their bellies, I got back to the kitchen to wash the dishes.
"Hic....Oh...you made breakfast."
A drunken raspy voice fills my ears. My mood turns sour. I glare at the dishes I was cleaning, not looking at the orphanage's owner.
"Well, someone had to do it...not like you would," I mumble the last part under my breath.
"Watch who you're disrespecting, brat. Keep it up and I'll send you away to another place."
"Tsk!"
"Man...with that attitude you'll never find a family to take you in."
I grip the sponge. "Maybe I don't want a family. How about that?"
"Well, you're never going to get one the way you are now."
"..."
*Ding Dong*
"!"
Did someone ring the doorbell?
"Great...just what I need in the morning."
The grumpy, drunken fool leaves the kitchen.
"Can't just do your stupid job?" I mumbled. Though, I wonder if someone is here to adopt one of the kids.
"...Sis?"
"Hm?"
I look to find Anya popping her head through the doorway. My mood gets a bit better.
"Yes, sweetie?"
She walks over and takes my hand. "Can we watch tv?"
"Hm? Oh, your spy show is going to turn on any minute now, right?"
She nods. "Come watch it with me."
"Yes, yes."
She leads me out of the kitchen and to a small playroom. Out of all the kids, Anya's the smartest, but she's also the most childish. Not sure how that could go hand and hand but here Anya is.
I turn the tv on and her spy show immediately starts to play. We both get some cushions to sit on as we take a seat on the floor.
I'm not really into the show personally but I like Anya's cute reactions from it.
I take a peek at her to see her eyes solely focused on the television. They seemed to sparkle as she mumbles.
"So cool..."
I couldn't help but giggle.
This might sound wrong or messed up but...Anya is my favorite little kid I ever met. I truly see her as my little sister. I don't know why but ever since we met...I have a strong feeling to protect her.
Probably...because I found out she was also adopted and brought back about four times. I don't understand how people could do that to this adorable angel. They say it's because she's creepy, but I see her as misunderstood. And it's funny, she understands me and other people pretty well. It's almost freaky...b-but in a good way of course!
The door to the room suddenly opens.
"Then your gonna want her. Hey, Anya."
We both turn toward the voice to see the orphanage owner staying with some well-dress man. He had light, blondish hair, and sharp, almost cold, blue eyes. He wore a green suit and stared at us. Probably trying to figure out which one of us was Anya.
Anya stands to fully face them as I turn the tv off. The mostly sober man shows her off.
"This is Anya. She's the smartest here. Doesn't talk too much but... Eh, she's a good kid." He turns to her. "C'mon, aren't you gonna say hi?"
Anya just stood there, staring at the man.
"..."
The man looks unsure.
"Um...excuse me, but..."
"...! Six!" Anya suddenly speaks.
The man looked taken aback a bit.
"Hm?"
"Six! I'm six years old!"
"You were six? Huh...strange."
I glare at the drunk.
"You didn't know her age?!"
"And you did?"
"Of course, I did! I know everyone's ages and birthdays here! And I don't even work here!"
Well...I didn't know Anya's birthday or age either...she's actually the only one...b-but that's not the point! At least I know the others!
The suited man, ignoring us, continued to size Anya up. She stood on her tippy toes before then running over to the table and show him a newspaper.
"A...crossword?"
Anya nods before going back to the table and sits. The man walks over and looks over her shoulder as she completes it. Once she shows it to him-
"!!! I'll take her!"
What?!