She just sat there on the steps of the adoption building, or what she would like to call home. Everyday and all the time, she was alone. Today was worse though. Today was Marina's fifteenth birthday. Fifteen years old is pretty special to lots of girls, but to her it's just another birthday celebrated alone, parentless and friendless. Marina was in fact used to being alone, but today though just felt even worse. She didn't have a reason why, it just was.
Marina sighed and rested her chin on her knees. It was hot outside since it was summer. A sad summer's day for Marina. While the other orphans in the house were playing and laughing, Marina was mourning over her lonely birthday. She looked up at the sky. It was completely cloudless. Nothing in sight but the blue sky and birds flapping their wings.
Marina turned her head and looked at her side view. Cassidy, one of the workers at the adoption center was coming towards her. Marina always liked Cassidy-actually everybody loved Cassidy. She was so nice and one hundred percent full of sunshine. Plus, Cassidy was the only person that didn't ignore Marina. Cassidy sat down next to Marina and smiled at her.
"So what are you going to do on your fifteenth birthday?" Cassidy asked in a sing song voice. Marina sighed.
"Nothing…as usual." she said.
"Well you should be doing something! Come on it's your birthday! Get up and party!" Marina laughed a little. It always amused her how a forty year old could still act as if she was a teenager. Cassidy stood up and grabbed Marina's hands.
"Come on!" she begged attempting to pull Marina up. She was planted on the steps though and wouldn't budge. Cassidy groaned and sat back down.
"You know, out of all the people who live here you have to be the biggest party pooper" Cassidy said in a little girl voice. Marina laughed again, which made Cassidy smile. "O, I almost forgot!" Cassidy dug into her insanely large bag and picked up a book wrapped in old brown wrapping paper.
"What's that?" Marina asked softly. Cassidy shrugged.
"All I know is that fifteen years ago, a very fine and handsome young man dropped this off and made me promise to give this to you on your fifteenth birthday." Marina slowly reached for the present. "I think he was your father." Marina froze and looked at Cassidy.
"How would you know?" Marina asked surprised. Cassidy smiled.
"You have his eyes."
"That was fifteen years ago, how could remember something like that?" Cassidy pretended as if she was offended.
"Well excuse me! I am just forty years old, it's not like I have short term memory or something." she said in between her laughs. Marina smiled and took the book. She traced the old markings on it slowly. "I guess I better leave you. Happy birthday sweetie." Cassidy gave Marina a quick hug then walked inside the building.
Marina gently unwrapped the brown paper and it revealed a school notebook. It was very worn out and it had scribbles all over the front. There was also an envelope attached to the front. Marina took the envelope and opened it.
Well if that lady ever gave this to you, happy fifteenth birthday Marina. I'm so glad that you're fifteen today. Being fifteen years old was my best year ever. That was a year that I fell in love. I can't believe I'm admitting that. I don't know if it's different in your time now but all I know is that early twenty-first century men do not like to express their feelings. Unless they want to impress a girl of course. Well I guess you now could tell when a guy likes you or not. You see, your mom and I loved you so much ever since we saw you. I mean hello, you're our kid. The problem was, we were only fifteen years old. We needed to finish high school, go to college, get a job. Stuff like that. I hope you do understand why we had to leave you. All I know is that the second I graduate from college, I promise that I Oliver Oaken will look for you and will never stop until I find you.
Marina swore that she was going to cry. "So that's his reason. I couldn't take care of you. Typical." Marina couldn't help but open the notebook though. She skimmed through the words and noticed that it was a journal. What really caught her eye was the very first page. On it were the words in big bold letters were HOW I FELL IN LOVE. Those five words could cause so many things. Marina hesitated. She was on the verge of turning the page. She didn't even know if she wanted to know. Marina sighed and turned the next page.
It's the beginning of sophomore year. Ah, sophomores. You're not a newbie clueless person like freshmen but you're also not an upperclassmen. Either way sophomores aren't that bad, especially if everyone likes you. I guess you could call me the popular guy, I'm definitely not the smartest though. My best friends, Lily and Jake (who are in fact dating) remind me all the time.
I was walking through the halls, loving how every girl turns their head and blushes or smiles at me. Being a girl magnet does have it's awesome benefits. I smile back at them and they look really happy. Weird how one small gesture could do a lot. Then there's this girl name Becca. She's pretty cool, really flirty, and a great kisser. My type of girl, but I don't like her like that. I just don't feel it. I went on a date with her one time, and we just didn't click. She is still asks me out, but I turn her down. We just don't match. Jake tells me how weird I am for turning down one of the hottest girls in school, but like I said, we're not meant to be.
So on my way towards my next class, I bump into someone. "O, sorry" I saw as I notice that I knocked all her stuff down. I picked up her textbook and notebooks and handed it to her. Once I looked up and saw her face, I was awestruck. The girl slowly took my books and quickly smiled at me then left. I watched her walk away. She was so beautiful. The most beautiful girl I've ever seen, prettier that Amber, Ashley, or even Becca. Her soft curly long brown hair and sparkly blue eyes. Her wonderful smile. I just stood there with my mouth open.
Jake nudged me. "Who're you checking out?" he asked with a smirk. I snapped out it. That girl was gone. I looked around to look for her.
"Where'd she go?" I asked.
"Who?" Lily asked. They started looking around with me. I sighed and looked down.
"Never mind." I said. Then we walked on to our next class.
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Lunch came by. I looked around in the cafeteria to look for her. She wasn't anywhere to be found though. I sighed in disappointment and sat down with Lily and Jake. They eyed me carefully.
"Seriously Oliver, what's your problem? You're acting all miserable and stuff" Jake said. I guess I could tell them, I mean they are my best friends.
"Well there's this new girl I saw. I bumped into her today and I can't take my mind off of her." I said. Wow, I sound like a sensitive love sick puppy. Obviously, I'm not. Jake laughed while Lily widened her eyes.
"Yeah right, now tell us your real problem" Jake said in between his laughs. I had a serious expression on my face though. What's so funny?
"O my god. I never knew it was possible. Especially with you!" Lily said surprised. Now I'm confused, what in the world is she talking about? I looked at Jake. Maybe he could speak Lily's language.
"Dude what the heck is your girlfriend talking about?" I asked Jake. Jake shrugged and Lily groaned.
"You guys really have boy-brains don't you?"
"Well we are guys" Jake said. Lily rolled her eyes and groaned again.
"Congratulations, you just experienced love at first sight." Lily said. Love at first sight? Jake and I widened our eyes in disbelief. Me, in love? I don't think so. I'm not the guy who falls in love that easy. Jake started laughing again.
"Oliver in love? That's hilarious!" he said. I shook my head in annoyance and left the cafeteria. I went outside to the outdoor lunch tables. No one but nerds go there. I don't really get why though, it's so nice and breezy outside.
I sat on a table and saw the girl again. She was sitting all alone on a bench looking at the sky. She looked really entertained. Why was she alone though? I mean even nerds and losers have friends right? Even if she is new, I bet someone would of made friends with her. It's not like she's invisible.
Jake and Lily apparently followed me and sat next to me. "Why are you here?" Jake asked. He looked at the nerds talking about…well I don't really know, I don't speak geek, but there were laughing and talking. Jake shivered just looking at them.
"It's her. The new girl." I said looking right at that girl. Lily looked at the girl.
"What? She's not new. We've been in the same school since third grade." Lily said.
"Why haven't I noticed her before?" I asked. Lily shrugged.
"What's her name?"
"Miley Stewart."