Chapter 1: No Tears Allowed

No tears allowed. That was the unspoken motto at the orphanage I had to call my home. The only reason was because I had nowhere else to go. My mom is dead – my father abused her. And my father is in jail – abuse, drug possession, and child molesting. Yes, that's right – child molesting. But that's another story. Anyway, the rest of my family is either unable to care for me or dead. That's the story of my life.

But today felt different.

It was as if I knew today something would happen – for better or for worse. Or maybe it was because today was adoption/open house day.

It was actually called "open house," but we liked to call it "adoption day." Because that is when we are basically put on display for everyone to "browse" the kids. Just like puppies in a pound. So they tell us to get dressed up and look nice. One of the older girls, Meghan, put my hair up in pigtails, and another older girl, Courtney, dressed me up very prettily... well, as pretty as you could get here at the Home. (A/N: Meghan and Courtney are the names of my older sisters – Meghan is 25 and Courtney if 27)

"Thank you, Meg, and you, too, Shortney." (Had to say it – my sis Courtney's nickname – she's 4'11'')

They laughed. "No problem, sweetie, remember, we're like your sisters."

I smiled. They knew my whole story – they are the only ones I trust. Meghan and Courtney were twins – both only thirteen, but looked fifteen because of their need to mature to survive. (pic of them on my profile – Courtney is on the L (pretend she's a shortie) and Meghan is on the R)

Meghan also had a brain tumor when she was nine – I wasn't here yet. I was three at the time. But I do remember Courtney being worried sick, and watching her like a hawk for the longest time, and their other friend Brooke (my other sister – I couldn't resist.) was, too. Then the part of the brain that was affected was the "growth" part of the brain so she had two choices: a. continue to stay basically in the form of a nine-year-old, or b. take steroids (prescribed, obviously) for basically the rest of her life. She chose the second. But she has another complication, too. She gets seizures. I remember the first time I saw Meghan have one.

(Cue Flashback)

I was like any ordinary Sunday, Meghan was napping, and Courtney was playing a game she had made up with me – Secret Agent Barbie. But then I saw Meghan move – I thought she had woken up, so I went to ask her if she wanted to play. But when I saw her, her eyes weren't open, and she was twitching. A lot. I got really worried and wanted to wake her up, but Courtney said it's not safe to wake her up if she's sleeping and having a seizure. She had told me that I shouldn't be afraid, but I was really scared.

(End Flashback)

Now I don't get scared. I just sit with her and help her if needed.

Oh, and did I mention I'm five? And today might be the day I get adopted. Wouldn't that be nice? I wish I could've had a normal childhood, though, you know? I've had to be a grown up at the age of five, not all that fun if you ask me or really any five year old in their right mind.

"Come on, Bellie, we've gotta go," said Meghan.

"I'm coming, Meg," I replied.

A/N: okay, so I hope you liked it! Just a few things:

Yes, Meghan, Courtney (shortney), and Brooke are all very real and very much my sisters. Much about Meghan is true – except the seizure story wasn't as bad – she was twitching, but not too much. But it is all very true about her.

Remember: review+feedback=lol(lots of love) and...EDWARD!!!! or JACOB!!!! (take your pick) – but in spirit..