Alex was so done with everything, he was cold, it was raining and his notebook got wet.
Could the day get even worse?
Carefully he turned the pages, the water made his notes unreadable. Somehow he managed to find a tree near the children's playground where he could take cover. The park was quite empty, almost everyone had left because of the rain. He had sat on a bench writing until the rain started. It came out of nowhere. He gritted his teeth, carefully shoving his notebook in his bag.
Stupid weather forecast. Can't they do their job right one time and, you know, actually get the weather predicted right?
It was early fall, school will start again in a few weeks. The fifteen-year-old boy sighed and put the notebook in his bag. Actually, he wasn't really excited for school, it only bored him. But it was still way better than the orphanage where practically nothing happened.
He didn't want to go, although his shoes were getting wet. Yawning he ran through his hair, no, he really didn't want to go back to the orphanage. He pulled a book out of his bag and started reading.
‚The Perfume', maybe his favorite book out of those he owned. For fifteen minutes he just stood there, preoccupied with his book, diving deep down into the dark story of the insane genius Grenouille, with he had read so often but still enjoyed.
After some time the rain was finally stopping, but Alex didn't notice. He only paid attention to his novel, eager to watch how was Grenouille deceiving a whole crowd. Just standing there, reading, for another ten minutes. Until-
„Hey what are you reading?"
A young girl, nicely dressed, pulled at the sleeve of his oversized pullover, looking at him with big curious eyes. Her hair was dark brown and short, her face covered with freckles.
How old was she? Six? Seven?
Before he could say anything a tall boy with long brown curls and the same freckles as the girl interrupted them.
„Mary, I told you not to talk to strangers!"
The guy was tall, maybe half a head bigger than Alex. He quickly took the girl's hand and pointed towards the playground.
„Why don't you go play with Martha and James? They are waiting for you!"
Eagerly Mary nodded and walked straight to the sandpit. All of the sudden the guy turned around and looked Alex directly into his face.
How old was HE?
„Sorry for her interrupting you."
A small grin laid on his lips. Alex looked at him, he had slim shoulders, an oval shaped face and a very convincing smile. Looking at his clothing Alex noticed how they seemed really expensive and stylish. But not like an overdone stylish look, rather leger and chilled. No comparison to his ragged appearance.
Ok, stop! Focus Alex!
He cleared his throat, he wasn't really good with people.
„Hey no problem, I-"
Again he had to clear his throat.
What is wrong with him?
„-she didn't interrupt me at all, everything's cool."
„Oh good!", the boy smiled even more, „I'd thought you would be mad, anyway see you around!"
Briefly, he waved him goodbye and walked off towards Mary and two other kids, presumably Martha and James. But only he and Mary shared having those remarkable freckles.
Alex looked at the clock next to the swing, almost 6:44 pm. It would be probably best to go now. Slowly he put his book in his bag.
He walked down the street, leaving the park behind him. After 5 minutes he finally arrived at the entrance of the orphanage. Although it wasn't raining anymore the sky was still cloudy and the air cold. He pulled out his keys and opened the door quietly.
No one was in the hallway, but Alex could hear Martha cooking in the kitchen with the other kids. They were laughing about a joke someone made.
Alex didn't want to join them, he tried to walk up the stair as quiet as possible without anyone noticing him. Slowly he put his hand on the banister, hoping none of the steps would creak. Just one step after-
„Alex, since when are you home?"
He turned around to see George standing near the door to the kitchen, holding a stack of plates in his hands. It was only one month ago when he moved to the Washington orphanage here in Virginia from New York and the face of the tall owner still was alarming to him. It was just… his tall posture, his strong appearance…
„I-I just… arrived. I'm… sorry. I won't stay away this long again…"
Good job Alexander, good job. Now he's angry…
George sighed.
„Alex, you have to understand, no one is mad at you, ok? Just please tell us when you are leaving, Martha and I thought you were in your room."
Embarrassed Alex looked down on his old worn shoes. They were still kinda wet.
„I will tell you next time, promise."
„Good", George smiled slightly. „You can go to your room if you want. But come down in a few minutes, please, Dinner is almost ready."
The brown-haired boy nodded hastily and went upstairs as fast as he could. Luckily he was one the oldest in the orphanage, with meant she was allowed to have his own room. It wasn't big, actually pretty tiny but it was his own space.
He immediately closed the door behind him when he reached his room and put his bag down next to his desk. Slowly he sat down on his bed and looked at the mirror hanging next to his bed on the wall. A skinny brown haired sketchy looking teen looked in his face, visibly tired and disinterested. His dark blue hoody was way too big and his black jeans were ripped at his knees.
Wow, he really looks like the typical emo teenager.
Sighing he ran through his hair with his hand. To see how much it was damaged he took out his notebook and slowly opened it. It was really hard, the wet pages stuck to each other like they were glued. There was no way he could pull them apart without ripping them into pieces.
Shit.
He wasn't even sure if he could afford a new one. His notes were unreadable too, just a big blurred blotch of ink. He stood up and pulled out a small box under his bed. When he opened it he sighed again, there were only like 6$ in it. But to be sure he counted and he was surprised he overestimated his savings, actually, it was 7.60$… which didn't bring him very far either. For a big notebook with good paper, he needed at least 15$. Alex cursed quietly.
Why isn't he sixteen already?
Then he could finally work and earn money himself, without having to rely on the Washingtons. Alex didn't want to admit it but he felt guilty for just taking what they gave him, their kindness, their support… But still, he didn't trust them. He had been hurt enough by adults.
„Alexander, could you come downstairs? Dinner's ready!"
He was so lost in thoughts that he flinched when he heard Martha calling. Quickly he closed the box and put it back under his bed. He stood up and walked down the stairs without forgetting to close and lock his door before he left his room.
—
John sat on a bench. After it stopped raining he and his siblings went out to go in the park. Mary begged him to come with them and he just couldn't say no. The air was still cold and the sky not exactly clear but he could surely use some fresh air and the kids too. The playground was still empty only a teenager, an old couple and some more children were there, talking, playing or reading.
He looked back at Martha, James and Mary, expecting to see them building sandcastles in the sandpit, but somehow there where only James and Martha playing with their dinosaur figures. Mary was missing.
Oh no.
Quickly John stood up. Like in a panic he looked around on the playground, scanning the area for Mary's short brown hair and her light blue t-shirt.
It took him a minute to spot her talking to the teenager that he noticed before. It looked like she had asked him a question because she was looking at him curiously. The boy didn't look like someone dangerous, not even close, he looked more intimidated, yet still, John hurried to get over to them.
The guy looked very overwhelmed by the situation. Carefully John took Mary's hand and looked her in the eyes.
„Mary, I told you not to talk to strangers!"
Noticing how the boy was staring at him and Mary he quickly looked at him and back at his little sister.
„Why don't you go play with Martha and James? They are waiting for you!"
Relived he watched as his sister nodded and began running back to her siblings. The guy was still looking at him carefully and so was he. His hair was long, just touching his skinny shoulders. He noticed his wet clothes and the dark circles under his eyes.
He looks good…
„Sorry for her interrupting you."
He had to grin when he saw the boy flinch.
„Hey no problem, I-" Again he seemed really nervous. „-she didn't interrupt me at all, everything's cool."
„Oh good!", John smiled even more and looked back to his siblings. It would probably be best if he went back to them. But he didn't want to be rude and just leave.
„I'd thought you would be mad, anyway see you around!"
With a friendly wave, he walked back to his bench and sat down.
I forgot to ask him about his name…
Again he looked over at the guy but he was already gone.
„Jackie, look what I found!"
James ran towards him, a small blue flower in his hand. Proud he looked at his big brother and handed him the delicate plant.
„What's that?"
Mary came up behind her little brother and curiously looked at what James had just handed John. With a slight smile John bent closer toward Mary and put the flower behind her left ear. James looked at her with a searching look and turned back to John.
„I think it would suit you better!"
John just had to grin.
—
They stayed ten more minutes before they went home. John took James' and Mary's hand.
„We need to go, it's almost 6:50 pm."
Laughing Martha took Mary's hand.
„Alright, surely daddy's already waiting!"
All hand in hand they walked down the street, heading for their home. It took them another 10 minutes to get home. John rang and seconds later the kids' nanny opened the door.
„Welcome home, how was your spree?"
She smiled kindly and hugged James, Martha and Mary.
„It was funny, thank you very much, Allie!"
The eleven-year-old Martha laughed and Allie ran through her hair with her hand.
„You don't have to talk so politely to me Martha!"
„So you're back!"
John turned around, his father sat on the couch in the living room, reading the newspaper.
„Yes, the kids had their fun."
„Are you hungry? Allie already prepared something for dinner."
„Yeah, of course! I'll just go into my room real quick!"
His father nodded and turned his attention back to his newspapers, not looking at his son another time.
„Ok, but be quick!"
John ran up the stairs heading for his room. When he opened the door he immediately started looking for his phone. He had already noticed that he forgot it when he sat down on the bench in the part.
Goddamit, where is it?
After two minutes of searching, he finally found it under a pillow on his bed.
5 missed messages from Laf
John had to grin.
From Laf (1 hour ago):
Hey, what are you doing tomorrow, wanna play basketball with me and Herc?
From Laf (41 minutes ago):
Hello, can I expect an answer?
From Laf (39 minutes ago):
Is your phone switched off?
From Laf (25 minutes ago):
Hello?!
From Laf (8 minutes ago):
Seriously, are you even alive?
To Laf (just now):
Sorry, I didn't answer, I was in the park with my siblings. But sure I'll come around 9 am, alright? We'll meet at the park?
Of course, Laf texted back immediately.
From Laf (just now):
D'accord! See you!
„John, please come down!" called Allie loudly from the kitchen. John took as fast as he could his jeans jacket off and put his phone in his pocket.
Laf and Herc were his best fest friend since middle school. It was funny, Herc and he were friends before but when Laf transferred to their school they both did their best to teach the French boy English. And it kinda worked, now Laf could speak nearly perfect English.
When John sat down everyone already waited for Allie to bring in the dinner. He hastily took the seat across from his father, next to Mary.
—
After dinner, Alex went immediately to his room. He closed the door behind him and locked it. The book was still in his bag. At the dinner table, he didn't talk much. He never did actually. Martha's cooking was like always really good be he just couldn't eat that much, he didn't feel worthy to enjoy it. Under his bed, there was another box that he pulled out. That was way bigger than the other one and it practically contained all his belongings; books.
The most part was used, second-hand copies, some of them were cheap paperbacks that he found in trash bins, but his favorites were newly bought books. ‚The Perfume' was one of the few hardcovers. Carefully he put it in the book the box and looked for another one, although he already read every single one of them. The fifteen-year-old pulled a pretty damaged paperback out under a pile of other copies; ‚Pride and Prejudice'.
A really good book, probably one he hasn't read often enough.
A quiet knocking made him drop the book. Quickly he pushed the carton back under his bed.
„Alex, are you in there?"
George's voice was hard to hear behind the wooden door.
„May I come in?"
Hastily Alex unlocked and opened the door. Still, the tall owner of the orphanage scared him.
He is just so tall and massive…
George was standing there with his arms crossed.
„Is everything alright? You seem stressed out."
He took Alex' hand. Frightened the boy tried to pull it back but George didn't ease up.
„I know it is hard to get used to this completely new environment, but you have to understand, no-one, and I mean absolutely no-one, blames you for anything. I know you had a rough childhood and you're still trying to find your place, but try to move on and talk to me and especially Martha. We care about all of you, ok?"
Alex didn't say a word and just stared at the tall man.
No, no-one should care about him. He wasn't worth it. He is just a broken, screwed up orphan. They all got better things to.
But he was quiet.
He's not only a fucking orphan but also an immigrant, why should they care?
He stayed quiet if he said something he'd probably get hit. He got hits for less before.
„Alex, do you understand?"
Alex' face showed no expression, nothing of his bitterness. It wasn't a secret, even to George, Alex didn't think very highly of himself. He was moved here to Virginia due to serious bullying at his previous school. It hurt George seeing a fragile kid like him getting always so beaten up, just by everything and everyone.
„Yeah, yeah I-I promise…"
He tried not looking into George's face, he could almost feel the disappointment. But what he didn't saw was George's concern.
„Ok, I hope you mean it…"
Slowly George started retreating, clearly, Alex wanted him to leave. He stood there, leaned against the doorframe, his long brown hair hanging over the right side of his face. He was clearly too skinny.
—
The next day John was leaving the house around 8:46. He showered as quiet as possible and just picked some sporty, comfortable clothing. Somehow he didn't want anybody to get woken up by him. He had just put his hand on the door handle when-
„Where are you going, John?"
His father stood behind him, dressed in his morning gown, a cup of coffee I his hand. Hastily John turned around a shocked expression on his face.
„Ehm… Hey, Dad. I'm sorry if I woke you up, I was- I was going to meet up with Laf and H-Herc to go play basketball."
His father only lifted an eyebrow.
„Ok, then but be home by 3 pm."
John only nodded and pushed down the door handle.
„See you dad."
Why is he so nervous?
—
Alex got woken up by the sun shining through his window on his face. With his hand, he ran through his hair. He needed to get out of here. The walls were killing him. Inside he felt small, trapped.
Slowly he stood up, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. As quietly as he could he opened his door and sneaked into the bathroom. He showered only two minutes or so, hoping no-one would notice. When he got out of the shower he looked into the mirror and he didn't like what he saw, like always. Carefully he regarded the bruises on his arms and especially his back.
„Oh well, Alexander!"
Alex felt another fist land on his stomach. His view was unclear and he pushed himself further to the wall.
„Respect!"
Another punch landed into his guts, which finally made him fall down, still trying to protect himself with his arms.
"You're not only a fucking immigrant but also-"
A sharp kick against his shin made him yell.
„-a disgusting, fiendish fag! Why are you even alive?"
He sighed and walked back to his room just quickly picking out a white oversized t-shirt and black jeans. He always wore oversized stuff to hide his skinny posture and his scars and bruises. People would probably find him creepy and disgusting.
He's such a punk.
When he tied his shoelaces he noticed a book lying under his bed. Carefully he reached for it. It was the damaged copy of ‚Pride and Prejudice' that he forgot to put back in the box after he talked to George. Or more fittingly after George talked to him. Without thinking about it too much he put it in his bag.
Luckily he was skinny enough to fit through the window as he crawled out through it. His room was on the first floor so he could just reach the tree that was standing in front of the building. Carefully he grabbed one of the branches and stepped on the one below him. He discovered this way nearly at the day he first arrived at the orphanage. Just to be sure, just as a kind of emergency exit. Now he used it on a daily basis, whenever he couldn't stay inside and just needed some fresh air, it just gave him this stupid illusion of freedom.
After only a minute or so Alex reached the bottom and jumped the last few meters down. He didn't know how late it was, and if he was honest he didn't care either.
—
Lafayette was looking at his watch. 8:57 am. Of course, he was too early. The sixteen-year-old leaned again the baseball basket looking for John. But except for a group of children, some parents and one or two teenagers there was no-one near the basketball court. And especially no-one who looked even slightly similar to John.
Herc had already texted, he would be late. Quickly he looked down at himself. Like always he was dressed very fashionably, wearing light jeans, a red t-shirt and some white sneakers. Fashion was just kinda his thing. He sighed. Frankly, he was disappointed that Herc would be late. Still a small smile laid on his lips when he thought about him.
„Hey!"
John popped up behind his back and almost made him have a heart attack.
„Merde, John! Do you actually want to kill me?!"
But the freckled boy just grinned.
„Where's Herc? Will he bring a basketball?"
Carefully Laf began to tidy up his high ponytail. Without the hairband, his hair would probably explode into a mess of dark curls.
„Yeah, but he already texted me, he'll be late."
John looked around.
„Man, I don't see him either I-"
But for some reason, he stopped talking. Laf put his hand down and looked curiously at John.
„What is wrong?"
He tried to follow his gaze, but couldn't really figure out what he was looking at.
At that moment John turned his face again to Laf.
„Nothing, I-I just thought I saw Herc…"
Laf raised an eyebrow.
„Ehm, you're sure?"
Why is he acting so weird?
Hastily John nodded and tried to change the subject.
„How… how long ago did Herc text that he's going to be late?"
Laf shrugged his shoulders
„Maybe…"
Quickly the French boy looked on his watch.
„I think ten minutes ago."
He smiled slightly again.
„You're excited to see him, right?"
Blushing Laf shook his head.
„That's-that's not the reason… I mean I didn't only come f-for him, I-"
„My god calm down!"
Just laughing John put his hand on his shoulder. The bigger boy looked surprised at his freckled friend.
„You have like the cutest crush on him, why don't you tell him?"
Shocked Laf fringed.
„Are you crazy? I definitely won't! And if you do it I will kill you!"
That was it. John just couldn't stop laughing.
„God, normally you're not so shy!"
Insulted Laf watched his friend having probably the best laugh of his life.
„Any girls or boys in your life Mr. Extroverted?"
John stopped. „No, no girls and especially no boys! I-I'm definitely straight!"
The uncertainty in his voice was clearly audible. Laf wrapped his arm around John.
„John, I don't think-"
„I'm so sorry I'm late!", Herc came running towards them and grinned slightly.
His short hair still seemed wet. „And I even brought a basketball! Are we going to play now?"
—
Alex sat on a bench near the basketball court in the same park as yesterday, ,Pride and Prejudice' in his hands. Again the area around was quite empty, but one boy stood out to him.
He was really tall, had dark curls tired into a tight ponytail, dark brown skin and wore really expensive, fashionable looking clothes. It seemed like he was waiting for someone, he constantly checked his watch, which might he add, looked freaking expensive.
All of sudden someone popped behind him-
It's him… the freckled boy…
He watched as he talked to the other guy and laughed with him. All of a sudden the boy turned his face away from his friend and looked him directly in the eyes.
His expression changed. But not in a shocked or angry way more of a deeply interested and curious way. Alex felt uncomfortable. It felt like the boy was always around him. He hasn't been to this park very often but this was already the second time they met seemingly random. The other guy obviously tried to see what his friend was looking at and talked to him with a questioning expression.
There were not so many things Alex was good at but reading the expressions of others was always simple to him. It helps so you know when to expect a punch…
If he would just be as easy as that to talk to people.
Alex saw how the guy turned away from him and said something to his friend, he was clearly embarrassed or nervous. Suddenly he changed his expression and started laughing like his friend has told a good joke. The other guy blushed. To Alex, it seemed like they were arguing about something, or talking about an awkward subject. Again the freckled boy's face changed, now he looked really troubled.
What the heck is he actually doing here? Watching two guys talking to each other like a weird stalker?
He felt like he was interrupting them without them actually noticing. Obviously, they didn't actually notice him staring at them and making small mental notes about them. He completely ignored the book and saw how they were interacting.
How the freckled boy looked uncertain, how the taller guy wrapped his arm around his shoulders.
But they looked like they were still waiting for someone.
Behind him, he heard heavy, fast footsteps. A tall, muscular guy with a basketball in his arm. He was broad and his skin had a very dark skin tone. Alex observed as he walked towards the other two guys and was greeted with a big smile by the taller guy with the expensive watch.
He seems very happy…
The freckled boy still seemed a bit lost in thoughts but he also smiled slightly. Meanwhile, the other two started a new conversation and the guy with the watch took his arms off the freckled boy's shoulder.
Notes:
Yeeh, I think I want to continue this story and I even have the second chapter mostly finished. I'm truly not the best writer so if you have any tips how to get better I'd love to hear them!