Chapter 3
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. . . 𝕪𝕖𝕒𝕣 𝟚𝟘𝟞𝟟 . . .
|𝟠:𝟝𝟘 𝔸𝕄|

My mornings were never this noisy.

I was used to waking up with nothing but stillness. I always happened to wake up alone in the house every morning. The children, as well as the maids, frequently went outside to play, eat and converse. I wasn't complaining though. Thanks to them, I grew independently.

But here, it was so different.

For once, I actually liked it.

There was something soothing with their noise. Something relieving. It was as if it was telling I wasn't alone anymore.

I opened my eyes and saw that everyone but me was downstairs.

Wait.

Did I just sleep soundly?

Oh.

That's a first.

I got up from bed to refreshen myself. I went towards the bathroom to brush my teeth and take a shower, carrying a set of fresh clothes. Afterward, I changed into an oversized shirt and black leggings.

As I opened the door, I bumped into someone-a girl, who looked around my age. She was taller than me so I guessed that she was older.

"Oh, you're awake!" she greeted.

I haven't had the chance to get to know all of their names yesterday. Among twenty kids, the only ones I knew were Yves, Earl, Dennis, Fiona, and Rachel, most of which were around five to seven years old. Except for Yves, of course.

"Would you like to join us? We're making a cake for Jim. It's his birthday today," she added, still keeping her bright smile. Jim who?

"Uhm..." I was having second thoughts. Due to my past, I really had a hard time talking to people without being irritated. I was used to being alone. "I think I'm gonna pass. Just tell Jim 'Happy Birthday' for me." I just decided yesterday that I would finally change how I approach people, but starting to actually interact with them seemed too fast for me.

What if I say something I don't mean?

Would that make them dislike me?

Thoughts like that continued to linger my mind.

"Oh, okay then. I'm Lara by the way. If ever you change your mind we'll just be in the kitchen," she said before she bid me goodbye.

Few minutes later, I followed and went downstairs. As I was halfway near the first floor, I could easily hear the noises. It actually came from two sources: from the kitchen, where they were baking, and from the front yard, where the children played while three other maids guard them.

The living room was empty. Everyone was busy on their own. I assumed that the others were still in their room or somewhere inside the house.

The weird thing was, I kind of regretted I didn't go along with Lara. It would've been fun. But I said to myself yesterday that I will take things slowly and won't force myself to do things I'm not accustomed to.

So I thought of going to the room the intrigued me during our tour-the library.

Children ages thirteen below were not sent to school until they reach that specified age. So while being home, their guardian was responsible of teaching them basic skills and information, just like how to read and write. But I grew up having no one to teach me anything, not even how to read or write. "What a guardian I have," I thought. Because of that, the kids viewed themselves as 'superior' and would often use that against me.

That opened my eyes at a very young age. I realized that I shouldn't be dependent to people because at the end of the day, I only have myself. So with that, I taught myself everything. At first, I never thought of it as educating myself but rather, winning over them. I hated being inferior.

But as I grew up, I gradually liked reading. Most of my things were actually books I stole from the first orphanage I came to. They were mostly novels and academic books.

As I entered the library, I was stunned. It was bigger than the one we had. I regretted not going in here yesterday. Yves just showed me where it was.

I roamed around. For the last half hour, I spent my time reading. It was stopped though, when I heard someone opened the door.

Ugh. Who is it now?

"That's new. I thought you would be at the tent house." The face of Yves appeared behind the door.

He went inside, but I stopped him before he could even sit beside me. "Why do you always find me?" I groaned. "Can you just mind your own business?"

He shrugged. "The party's starting. We're waiting for you to come."

"You can start without me."

"Uh, not happening. All of us should be there. Besides, I thought you wanted to improve your awkward social skills. This would be a great opportunity, you know. Remember last night? It would be a waste of tears-"

I rushed over him and covered his mouth to cut him off before he would remind me of what happened last night. I didn't want to remember being vulnerable in front of others.

"I'll go so just shut that mouth of yours." I gave in and just agreed to go with him. I walked past him and I heard him follow me. "Good choice. I bet you will have fun," he said.

Let's see about that.

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|𝟡:𝟚𝟘 𝔸𝕄 |

Uh...

Okay.

I'll admit.

It was fun...sort of.

The time that was wasted to get to know them yesterday was replaced during the party. I had met all of them, thanks to Yves. I had also memorized their names.

I was the same socially awkward person because I tried so hard not to snap at them. I was glad I didn't. I had some conversations with others, especially those who were close to my age. The sense of relief never left my chest during those moments.

I wish I have met them earlier.

When I felt like the change was too much for me to handle, I distanced myself from them. They understood it quickly, thinking that I had my personal space too. With nothing to do, I just sat on the grass, enjoying the view of my 'siblings' exchanging laughs and giggles. Never had I thought it would made me smile.

The party was done. The children remained playing, tag to be exact, and most of us helped in cleaning up. It was held at the backyard so it was quite hard transferring all the dishes to the kitchen.

When all of the plates were inside, I offered to help Lara and Yves in washing the plates while the others cleaned outside.

The birthday boy, Jim, and Mimi went to the city to get something. Yves told me that one turns the age of fifteen, he must go to a place in the city. He didn't specify what kind of place and where it was, but he said that one will receive a metallic bracelet, a non-removable one.

He told me, "When it is worn on both hands, a list of task that the owner can and shall only see will appear. It is a must to do the tasks listed there."

So far, it was only Yves and Lara who had that bracelet, excluding the Mimi and the maids. The other kids were very excited to turn fifteen, he said. They viewed it as if it was some kind of mission they would do.

But one thing bothered me when Yves was spilling those information to me.

His usual smile was there but it was different. So different I could sense other emotions in it, although it was just a matter of seconds.

Sadness.

Anger.

So with that, a judgment came into my mind.

That bracelet was more than what it seemed to be.

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