Flashback

Living next to an orphanage was not one of the things ten-year-old Grant Douglas Ward particularly enjoyed. Still, it gave him a small sense of relief knowing he wasn't alone in the fact that his parents hated his guts. He ignored the children playing in the orphanage as often as he could, instead retreating to the roof of his two-story house. On weekends, his family was never home, it was just him. During the week, he was homeschooled by both of his parents. At first, he had been pleased that they were homeschooling him, thinking they wanted to get more involved in his education. Boy, had his five-year-old self been stupid. They'd teach him, yes. And when he didn't get an answer right, he was lucky if all he got was a smack. If he didn't do well on one of his mother's tests, he'd usually go two days without eating and sometimes drinking. And on top of all of that, his older brother, Christian, would beat him. He'd beat him senseless and then make him beat Thomas for him. He didn't know what was worse, the fact that he beat his younger brother, or the fact that he was happy to do it so he could make the beatings less painful for Thomas. Because if Christian ever got his hands on him, oh boy, Grant did not want to think about that. At least Rosie was saved from the torture. Even Christian adored her. Grant was scrawny, pretty much skin and bones, but he usually wore a baggy hoodie and sweatpants to cover it up. Since it was a Friday afternoon and most of his bruises from the week had healed, Grant merely wore a white t-shirt and basketball shorts.

He sighed, kicking his feet aimlessly in the air as he relaxed on his rooftop. He usually brought a book with him, but today he had chosen not to. The kids at the orphanage were playing a game of kickball, and by the annoying laughing and yelling, he figured they were enjoying it. He didn't know how anyone could be so happy. He held a growing distaste for those who were happy, even for a second. He was never happy, how could he be when he knew just how cruel the world was? It was a terrible place to be born into. He hated the very fact that he had been born, but he never gathered up the courage to kill himself. Besides, what would he achieve by doing that? Complete darkness? Was heaven even real? He didn't know, and honestly, most of the time he didn't even care.

The weekends were his favorite time of the week, because from Friday morning to Monday morning, every single member of his family was gone from the house. They always went and spent the weekend somewhere else, whether it be a vacation or one of the other houses his wealthy parents owned. Grant was never allowed to go, he was the one his parents hated the most. They cared somewhat about Christian but they loved Rosie and Thomas. They absolutely despised him. He was glad that he wasn't allowed to go, because that meant that he'd be alone.

He contemplated watching the kickball game, but decided against it. Quietly, he hummed to himself as he stared up at the sky. He leaned back and rested the back of his head against his hands.

"Why are you on the roof?" called a young, feminine voice.

Sighing to himself, Grant craned his neck to see who had ruined his moment of peace. It was an eight-year-old girl with olive skin and short, brunette hair. She wore a blue t-shirt and jean shorts. She was on the other side of the fence, meaning she was one of the orphans. If he had to guess, he'd say she was about eight.

"I like the roof," he replied.

"Why? Why not hang out with your family?"

Grant's eyes narrowed at the young girl. He hadn't even known her for more than a minute and he was close to punching something.

"I like it better up here."

"You should hang out with your family."

Grant's eyes almost bulged out of their sockets. He breathed in deeply before exhaling. "Can you please just drop the subject?"

The girl nodded. "What's your name?"

"Grant Ward. What's yours?"

"That's a cool name. My name's Skye."

Figuring it would be rude to continue facing away from her, Grant turned fully toward her, legs dangling off the edge as he stared down. "That's a nice name."

The girl giggled before asking, "Isn't it scary sitting up there?"

He shook his head. "Not at all, actually more comfortable if anything."

"You're skinny," blurted the girl.

Grant snorted at that. She couldn't stop changing the subject could she? "I am."

"Why are you so skinny? I've seen skinny boys at the orphanage, but you're skinnier."

Grant shrugged as if he had no idea. In reality, he really did not want to talk about his family problems with some random girl who just so happened to decide to talk to him. He heard the nuns calling the children inside. The girl frowned before looking back up at him.

"I have to go. See you again soon?"

Grant stared at her for several seconds. Did he want to talk to her again? She was just some random girl. A stranger. Then again, the only way someone became your friend was if they're a stranger first. And in all honesty, he figured a friend might be a good idea. "Sure."

The girl smiled before turning around and running back to the nuns. He watched her go before deciding to head in. Opening the back door, he slide inside. Popping open a water bottle, he hopped on the counter and drank. For the first time in years, he felt the corners of his lips tug up into a small smile. That girl was interesting to say the least.

AN: Hey guys! This fanfiction was inspired by Over the Fence by alexthelion-ess. As the story progresses, the chapters will get longer. This is more of an introduction than anything. There will be flashback chapters, as well as present time chapters. The flashback chapters will focus on Grant's childhood, while the present time chapters will focus on the current events in Grant's life. Let me know what you guys think in the reviews!