In this chapter, Esther meets some of the other children in the children's home at lunch time. As usual, teasing arises for obvious reasons. However they aren't all bad like before. Also, she gets an idea on how to solve a problem with "Esther", after she has seen they have a PC. Will she go through with it? Read to find out.
I was lying on my bed when I heard my "name" being called. I looked at the round pink fairy clock hanging on the wall and saw it was nearly lunch time. I got up and walked out the room and along the hallway, trying to memorise my way. I caught sight of myself in the bathroom mirror as I walked past and scowled at my reflection. I have said this before, but I honestly wish "Esther" could be more "normal", wearing jeans and leggings and t-shirts and skirts like any normal little girl, instead of looking like a life size china lady ornament. I carried on walking, following the sound of Sister Mary's voice until I found the lunch area. Smells of chicken stew wafted around the room as I walked in. I saw lots of children sitting at the table, chatting together as they waited for their dinner. They were of all ages, the youngest being practically a baby. They all fell silent when they saw me, except for a few sniggers. Sister Mary, who was in the kitchen, came in, having noticed the silence and saw why. "This is Esther, children" she said. "She is new to Mapleleaf House today and I want you all to make her feel welcome while she is here". She then smiled at me and went back into the kitchen where lunch was being made. I suddenly felt ravenous, after not having had anything to eat yet.
I slowly made my way over to the table and sat down between a young girl of about 7 years old and a rather unpleasant looking boy of about 10. The boy sniggered and though some stupid joke was necessary. "Is that the latest fashion nowadays?" He said, sniggering loudly. I was boiling with rage inside at his idiotic behaviour, but I somehow managed to stay calm. "Girls wear dresses like these where I come from" I replied. "WHERE ARE YOU FROM", the baby, who was sitting across from me, signed. It reminded me of my dear adoptive sister, Max, from my time at the Coleman's. I missed her, yet she wouldn't like me now. "I AM FROM RUSSIA" I signed back, lying through my teeth yet again. "WHAT IS RUSSIA LIKE? IS IT A NICE PLACE?" She signed back "YES ITS A BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY, WITH SNOW EVERYWHERE. WHAT IS YOUR NAME, YOU NEVER TOLD ME?" I signed to her. "MY NAME IS MELISSA BUT EVERYONE CALLS ME MILLY, I AM COMPLETELY DEAF, BUT I KNEW WHAT YOU SAID BECAUSE I CAN LIP READ AS WELL AS SIGN. HOW OLD ARE YOU, ESTHER? I AM FIVE YEARS OLD". "I AM NINE YEARS OLD" I replied, lying through my teeth as usual. "What are they saying?" The unpleasant boy said. "What's your name again? Esther? That's a grandma name!" He said, getting a few of the other boys to laugh too. "DON'T BE RUDE MICHAEL", Milly signed at him. "What did you say?" Michael said, sneering. "She said don't be rude" I replied. "I wasn't talking to you, grandma" he said, sneeringly. Just then, bowls were handed out to each of us by a another nun, called Sister Gertrude, and a trolley was wheeled in with a large container full of chicken stew. It was shared out in each of our bowls, and we were given 2 slices of bread each. I tucked into my dinner, ravenous after a long day.
After finishing my dinner, I quickly went back upstairs. I just wanted to be away from the others. I knew wherever I go there would be trouble. Michael sounded horribly like my adoptive brother Daniel, from my time at the Coleman's. I dreaded to think what the other children would be like. At least Milly seemed somewhat nice. As soon as I found my room, I could hear my "name" being called. I cringed at the name "Esther". I just wish I could be adopted soon, then I would have another shot at what I most wanted. I have said this before though. I blanked whoever was calling me and I had an idea. Remember I could do with a proper binder? Well, this place had a computer. I could order one online and have it delivered. Maybe then I could wear more "normal" clothes. I knew my dresses were the main reason I got teased at wherever I was. I could easily pretend the parcel that arrived for me was new clothes that I was sent as a present, should anyone see it. Proper explanations would come later, though. I walked back downstairs, deciding to see what whoever was calling me wanted. I found it was sister Gertrude, she just wanted to tell me that we have to ask to leave the table after meals. I apologised to her, yet in my head I couldn't care less. After she let me go, I decided to wait until nightfall, when everyone was asleep, before I tried out my plan on the PC. I would least likely be caught then. This was something I had decided I needed if "Esther" was to never be found out.
It's now 9:00 pm. I have been waiting for at least an hour until all the other children had gone to sleep. Now I am fully sure they are all asleep, as well as all the nuns. I don't need any more trouble after what happened earlier. I am already on bad terms with another nun, sister Priscilla, who argued that I was too young to bath by myself, when I insisted I was old enough. I couldn't let her bath me for obvious reasons. She also fussed when I locked the door, like they always do. I just told her that I would sing for her, so she and everyone else would know I was ok, and she eventually got off my back. After a bath I dried and ch aged in it my nightie, and pretended to be asleep when yet a different nun, sister Dorothy, came and checked if everyone was asleep. Once I was sure everyone was asleep, I decided to move. I crept out of my bed, my bare feet padding against the soft carpet as I made my way across the room, being careful not to wake the other girls, and out of the bedroom door. I made my way across the hallway and down the stairs and into the play room, where the PC was. I crept over to it, sitting on the swivel chair and switching it on. I waited patiently for it to boot up, while keeping an ear open for anyone who may be awake and listening. Once it had loaded up, I clicked the Internet and searched for what I was after. Once I found what I was after, I ordered two. One for every day use and a waterproof one for swimming if I was ever invited by any future families. Kill two birds with one stone! Once they were ordered and paid for (I have my own bank account in my false name of "Esther") I typed in the address to deliver them to and it was ready to go! I then quickly closed the page and cleared the history. Don't want anyone finding out. Like THAT wouldn't seem weird. After shutting down the PC. I made my way back upstairs, and back to bed. I curled up under the duvet, as I slowly fell asleep, hoping I had left nothing that would give me away.
In the next chapter Esther faces more problems and more horrible taunts by other children. How will she handle it? What problems will she face? Please comment and review, it's what keeps me writing more!