Nichole

RRRRRRRRINGGGGGGGG!

"Addy! Addy! Hurry up! We're going to be late for breakfast!" Samantha said.

"Come on, Addy! Wake up!" Mae Lynn spoke.

"Miss Prudence is going to punish us for sure. Hurry, Addy!" said Emily.

"Ugh. I'm so tired," Adelaide rubbed her eyes. "I'm up, I'm up. Let me get dressed."

"I wonder what's for breakfast today," Mae Lynn remarked.

"Oatmeal, milk, and an orange," Sam and Emily replied at the same time.

"We always eat that," Adelaide complained.

"Yeah. The boys' orphanage next door gets eggs bacon, and bananas for breakfast," Samantha sighed.

"Bananas? Lucky!" Emily exclaimed.

"I'm ready. Let's go get to our oatmeal," Adelaide laughed.

When the girls got to breakfast, before they could take a bite of their oatmeal, even before prayer, Miss Prudence had an announcement.

"Girls! Girls! Everybody quiet! I have an announcement to make!" The dining hall was overcome by an unusual silence while a pretty young girl with long blond hair walked bravely to the front of the hall. "Girls? I would like you to meet Nichole Snow."

"Hello, Miss Snow," the girls chorused.

"Hello," Nichole answered.

"You may be seated, Nichole," Miss Prudence said.

"Thank you, Miss Prudence," replied Nichole.

"You girls may continue eating," quipped Miss Prudence.

"Yes, ma'am," the orphan girls responded.

After breakfast, the girls were ordered to go to their rooms to clean up. Mae Lynn, Emily, Samantha, and Addy raced up the stairs as fast as they could to their room.

"Whew! I think you won, Sam!" Emily gasped, out of breath.

"Wow. That Nichole was brave," Mae Lynn said.

"I know. I was not anywhere near as courageous on my first day," Adelaide sighed.

"Me either," Samantha echoed.

"We probably should go to the parlor to get our chores for the day," Mae Lynn broke the silence.

The girls ran down the stairs to the grand parlor. They were only allowed in there for chore assignments. Other girls were already in there, chatting cheerily. Over on the far wall, Nichole Snow was talking loudly to a group of girls.

"...and I didn't know why she was saying that to me, but I could not believe it. And she would not stop at that. She just went on and on until I couldn't take it any more. I just walked away while she stood there talking about it!" Nichole was saying.

"Psst! Addy!" Samantha whispered, pulling Adelaide aside. "You know who she's talking about?"

"Who?" Addy asked.

"Louise Wilkins! You know, she plays hopscotch a lot at weekly free time!"

"Oh. I know who she is! Nichole is so mean to gossip about her!" Adelaide exclaimed.

"I know," Samantha sighed.

"Oh, Nichole! You're so funny!" Janet laughed.

"How do you know so much on your first day?" April asked.

"Oh, I just am naturally observant," Nichole said snobbily.

"Wow. I wish I was as observant as you," Sara said dreamily.

"Oh, please," Mae Lynn whispered to Emily, rolling her eyes.

"I know. Who does Nichole think she is?" Adelaide muttered a little too loudly.

"What was that?" Nichole stopped her gossip and glared at Adelaide. "I heard my name. Were you talking about me?"

"Well, you were talking about Louise and who knows who else!" Adelaide felt her face get red.

"I am merely stating my observations. But, obviously, you are not smart enough to know what that is," Nichole said cooly.

"Well!" Adelaide cried angrily. "You are so mean!"

At that moment, Miss Prudence walked into the room. She was very upset at Adelaide yelling, and she grabbed Addy by the arm and pulled her toward the office.

"But I-" Adelaide started.

"No buts! Now come!" Miss Prudence said sternly.

Adelaide wished she could start the day over. She wished she could disappear. She wished wishes could come true.