She didn't know why she accepted. Her whole year had been leading up to this, her final sprint to freedom. And she'd done a complete U-turn. She didn't want to address it, but there was something about what Ryan had said. People that look out for her, people that care out of kindness and not out of greed.
She needed a family.
Ryan was miles away, distancing himself from the others and his feelings. There was a reason he'd decided to help, and that reason was the only one he'd ever had. He'd helped himself. He'd sensed it. She was the same as him, his only equal. And he couldn't live with knowing that he was second best. He needed to beat her. One way or another, he would.
That sudden excitement of competition sparked inside of him and ducking his head, he let himself smirk. Game on.
Stepping inside Ashdene Ridge, she let herself relax. It was pretty epic for a care home. Not what she'd imagined at all. The other night, she hadn't been able to fully appreciate her situation, but now she felt at ease. Her own room. Her own life.
It was still a long way from being 'home', but it would more than do for now.
Mike had accepted her with open (if not slightly wary) arms, and the others didn't question- at least not to her face. Collapsing onto her quilted bed, she sighed contentedly before dropping into a deep slumber, feeling somewhat satisfied.
"What I don't get is why she won't tell us her name! She's probably got something to hide!"
The members of the DG were gossiping about the new girl. This wasn't surprising, every new person sparked a new debate as to their true intentions of being there, especially if they didn't have a sob story to tell. This girl was a complete mystery, just like Ryan had been, except she'd given away nothing about her character or her life.
A blank slate ready to be written on. Or hidden by rumours.
"She looks posh though, you seen what she was wearing? Proper designer brands.." Candi-Rose gushed before noticing all the unimpressed eyes.
"She's got a point though. I mean, how can someone with no parents afford all that?" Tyler asked.
"Maybe she does have parents and she's run away.." Billie wondered aloud as everyone gave up on the silent mystery that was snoozing just above them.
A hand that wasn't hers was resting on her shoulder. She sat up straight, banging her head against the headboard, looking around startled.
Him.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to wake you, it's just that dinner's ready..."
Even with her eyes still half-shut, she could hear the sheer effort he put in to sucking up to her. Of course, he was onto her. Shame she was about to send him on a wild goose chase with his emotions.
"Is that so?" she questioned, opening her eyes to stare at him meaningfully.
Ryan wasn't about to be put off by her cross-examination. Two can play at that game.
"Well, if you want breakfast in bed I can do that for ya.." he hinted, raising an eyebrow.
She hesitated, failing to hide her surprise. That didn't take much effort at all. He could definitely play dirty when he wanted to.
"I thought we were having dinner.." she smiled, knowing she'd tripped him up.
He held his nerve, he had this for sure.
"Breakfast, dinner... it's all the same really.." he stammered, before recovering nicely, "Didn't have you down as choosy.."
A grin broke out on her face. This was.. like nothing she'd ever done before. It was exciting. But it was enough for one night.
"Thanks.. but I think I'll go down now.." she stated as she awkwardly got off her bed and Ryan leapt a metre away. He couldn't read her... was it too much? Had she sussed what he was doing?
Waiting until she'd descended the stairs, he got to work. After checking all the hiding places, under mattresses, pillows, wardrobes- he slumped onto her bed. Nothing.
Just clothes and jewellery. Wait.
Remembering the ring he'd found, he searched for an engraving. He was desperate by now.
Sure enough, he could just make out the initials M.K. on the small piece of silver. At her age, he wouldn't have expected her to be married but perhaps this ring meant more than that.
A loved one's ring, given to her just as they were dying.
A promise ring off a boyfriend, or ex.
A ring slipped off someone's finger, useless in the message but worth some cash. Maybe that's how she planned to get by.. selling the ring.
Ryan sighed...at least it was something.
By the next morning everyone had had enough. Mike could see how exhausting it was for the kids to talk to her, so he got her into his office.
"Look... you need to tell us your name" he emphasised.
"I don't need to tell you anything!"
"This is getting ridiculous! Why can't you just tell us?" May-Li exclaimed.
The question echoed in her mind. When she thought of the answer, her eyes glistened with tears. The careworkers noticed this and backed off. They could sense when a child was building up the courage.
She looked at them both in turn. The prospect of saying it aloud scared her.
"I can't tell you because.. I don't have a name.."
A few moments of confusion later, Mike suddenly spoke.
"That's impossible.."
"All my life I've been called lots of things. Nicknames mainly.. some of which aren't nice. I don't have an official name.. but recently I started to give myself one.."
"Well what is it?"
She swallowed nervously, "Mina... but you don't have to call.."
"Mina it is then! Look, it's important that you have an identity. And if that's the name you like.. then we'll make that your official name.."
"You...you can do that?" she asked in disbelief. Then she smiled. A genuine smile.. childlike. As though she'd been granted her lifelong wish.
A few moments later, she was standing proudly being introduced.
"Guys, I would like you to meet Mina.."
"So that's what her name is.." Jody grumbled, "Big deal.."
"Actually it is.. tomorrow we're going to sign it off as her official name. And I think that calls for a celebration.."
The kids forgot their bother and were instantly lit up with the idea of a party. Mina smiled. She wasn't used to parties, but she had a feeling that parties at the DG was something to get excited for.
A few moments of explanation and shopping later, Mina was in her room sorting through some new clothes that she'd bought. No expensive dresses, just simple, comfortable clothes.
It was starting to feel like home.
Smiling, she spoke aloud, "Come in"
Ryan lingered near the doorway, fidgeting with a small, silver object. Her ring.
"That's mine.." she stated confused, folding her arms. She knew he was interested in her, but not that interested. When no reply came, she held back a shudder as he approached her.
"Did you come to ask for my hand in marriage?" she continued.
Ryan finally smirked, "Who is M.K.?"
Mina froze. Oh.. he was good.
"All that rubbish about not having a name.."
"That wasn't rubbish!" she exclaimed, eyes flashing.
"Sure.. so this ring wouldn't happen to be yours..."
"It... okay it's not mine.." she admitted.
Ryan raised his brows, "Never had you down for a thief.."
"It was given to me.. a woman off the street, she was dying... she said I'd benefit more from selling it. I never knew her name but.. I didn't want to sell it. Out of respect to her. Anyway I saw the initials... and fantasised up a name for me from that.. people always said I looked Indian.. so I gave myself an Indian name. Mina Kazemi. Made me feel more legit, anyway..."
She was out of breath. Never had she told someone so much about her. It felt new and dangerous. But it came out easily with Ryan. She caught him staring at her in disbelief.
"That's bull.." he whispered, as it finally sunk in.
"Yeah.. I'm a fucking nobody!" she exclaimed, before grinning. She hated sob stories.. and Ryan did too, except..he couldn't shake this off. He couldn't imagine what it was like to not have a name. Something to call your own. All this time, she'd been clutching onto everything and anything- wanting to belong.
And he'd tried to take advantage. Something that felt like guilt nabbed him in the stomach. He turned to leave, but a hand touched his elbow. He turned back reluctantly.
"You're not giving up already are you?" she asked smoothly, raising her eyebrows.
"I never give up" he scoffed, not knowing exactly what she was implying.
"Then don't.." she stated genuinely. Was that a plea he saw in her eyes? She spun back swiftly, busying herself with her sorting.
Ryan still couldn't suss out why.. but he hoped it was for the same reason as his. The game. Their personal distraction from the real world.
"Bye Mina.." he stated quietly, shutting the door behind him.
Mina. It rolled off his tongue.
In fact, you could say it was second nature.