Here is chapter two!!! Hope you like it!!! Thanks for your awesome reviews!!! You guys rock!!!

Chapter 2: The Adoption Fair

"Oh my god Lucinda! You have got to be kidding me!" Bella stood in front of the mirror in her and her friend Lucinda's bedroom. She held up the pink, frilly dress Lucinda had stolen from Sydney, a former rich girl in the girls' dorm.

"Bella, it'll look so adorable on you."

"Why do I even have to dress up Lu? I don't know what I'd ever have to get this dressed up for!" Bella stared with distaste at the dress. A pink frilly dress! I hate pink, frills, and dresses! Bella thought impatiently.

"Bella please! I said it was a surprise!"

"I HATE surprises Lucinda and you know it too."

"Bella. You are nine years old almost ten. You need to start acting like a teen. You'll be there in a matter of years. Teen girls like dresses and surprises."

Bella rolled her eyes. Lucinda always acted like she knew everything.

"Lu, how do you know what teenage girls like, you're only nine years old too."

Lucinda grinned. "I know everything Bells."

"Yeah", snorted Bella, "right."

"I do…." Bella cut Lucinda off.

"Just tell me what the surprise is Lucinda or I swear to god I'm NOT going."

"Fine", snapped Lucinda. Bella always ruined her fun. "Some grown ups are coming today to look at girls in our age group for adoption. You never come to the dorm for the adoption fairs so we're forcing you. You have a chance at a better life away from here."

Bella laughed. "And you think that just because you dress me up in a hideous dress some person will want to adopt me?"

"Bella…you are what every parent wants. You've been here so long Bells. You need to get a real life. This orphanage is hell and you know it."

"Okay fine Lu. I'll go, but there is no way I'm wearing this dress and nothing you could ever do or say is going to make me."

Lucinda smiled darkly and Bella's stomach churned. She knew what that devilish smile meant.

Ten minutes later Bella and Lucinda were walking down to the girls' dorm. Bella in the pink, frilly dress.

"Whoa there Bella!" Chris came out of the boys' dorm grinning. "I didn't know you wore pink."

"I don't Chris and if you tell any of the other guys I'll kill you."

Chris chuckled. "No problem Bells."

"Seriously Chris, I'll break your face."

"Oh demon nine year old I'm so scared."

Bella grimaced. She hated not being taken seriously because of her age.

"Bella, let's go they're about to start the event." Lucinda motioned anxiously toward the door.

"Bye Chris." Bella waved gloomily.

Chris just chortled and turned back inside the boys' dorm. She doesn't look half bad he thought to himself.

Bella and Lucinda walked into the dormitory. It was decorated with banners and child made artwork. Hopeful parents sat in chairs everywhere eying the young girls with interest, wondering if one of them would soon be the newest addition to their family. Bella's face heated as her blood boiled beneath the skin. She hated all the people staring at her. Being in the spotlight wasn't her thing. Soon the assistant headmistress of the orphanage got up to speak.

"Soon the Ridgeway headmaster, Mr. Freeman will be here. In the mean time you may mingle with our lovely girls. See if any catch your eye."

One couple who had been watching Bella intently walked over to her.

"Hello sweetie. How are you?" The woman knelt down beside Bella and held out her hand.

"Pleased to meet you, ma'am." Bella shook the woman's hand timidly. She had never been to one of these events before and had no idea on how to act towards these strangers. The man smiled warmly at her.

"You're a sweetheart. How are old are you?"

"I'm n…" Bella never finished her sentence. At that very moment Harold Freeman, the orphanage's headmaster came storming over, his face twisted in rage.

"You, Bella, what are you doing down here." He spat. "You know during events you're NOT supposed to leave you room."

The man and woman stared at Harold in blank shock.

"We're sorry. We didn't know she wasn't up for adoption sir." The man shot a quick, worried glance at Bella. "We'll just be leaving."

"Yes you will. Leave now. And YOU.", he got up in Bella's face "go to your room immediately." He spun around to face a stunned Lucinda. "You too. Upstairs NOW."

Bella and Lucinda sped out of the room at top speed and didn't stop until they were safe in their little room.