Enjoy a pure fluff chapter. This was so hard to write, but I wanted some bonding moments.

Chapter 4: Bonding

After befriending Tria, Mono found his life changing within a week. She would always be there for him, keeping Quint and the older orphans from picking on him. It felt so invigorating - to welcome a new day with different things and not have to hide or run from a threatening situation. Finally, he had someone sitting next to him during class, a friend to share food with during the breaks, and something fun to do during free time. He enjoyed being around Tria. It made life at the Orphanage a little more bearable. He finally wasn't alone.

However, now the children would avoid Tria, partially because of her illness but mostly because of her association with him. Sometimes, her desk would have nasty writings alongside his and she would get paper balls thrown at her. It made the boy feel sad, like it was his fault that Tria was denied friends and was suffering because she had chosen to help him. However, the older girl seemed happy regardless, not bothered by it at all. Mono couldn't understand her. Why was she happy? How could she smile with ease? Was she hiding the pain inside? Or was she genuinely not bothered by any of this? It confused him.

She had tried reporting the bullying to any of the adults but they never did anything to stop it. So she would endure along with Mono.

Getting up to do chores, the children waited until everyone else left the classroom before exiting themselves.

"Tria?"

"Yes, Mono?"

"Is it bad that I'm happy you're enduring with me?" Mono asked, looking down in shame.

Tria asked her own question, "What makes you think it's a bad thing?"

"Because you're suffering... and that means I won't suffer alone... that's a bad thing, right?"

"Hmm, nope," the girl finally answered. Knowing that he would speak, she quickly continued, "There's nothing wrong thinking like that. Sometimes, people share the same pain to better connect with someone. If only you endure and I don't, it would make both you and I sad. But if we both endure together, the pain will be less."

Mono pondered over Tria's words. If he ever met someone who was hurting, then he would want to help ease that pain a little. It might not be the same as how Tria put it, but he could understand what she was trying to say. Walking to the cabinet, the children pulled out their drawers to take out their lists. Both their lists had different chores and amounts. Regardless, the girl had a smile on her face. Ever since she'd moved in, Tria would make chores fun and more enjoyable. She had used the orphans' fear of her illness to her advantage. It kept the bullies away, so she and Mono would often stay together during this time of the day.

They grew close and bonded. Today would be no different. If their lists said that they were supposed to be elsewhere, it didn't matter. There were no rules saying you had to do your own chores by yourself or what time you had to finish them. It had been routine for them to check their lists and figure out a quick way to tackle all of them down. Because they would help each other, chores would be done very quickly, allowing more free time. Fortunately, with the new strategy, Mono wouldn't have to skip lunch anymore. He could finally enjoy his free time too.

"Want to visit my room, Mono?" the golden-haired girl suggested as they made their way out of the cafeteria.

"Yes!"

A week had passed since he last saw her room. From what Tria had been telling him, she had unpacked and done a lot to make it stand out. Taking out a silver key, the girl inserted it into the lock. Ever since Quint had talked about Tria's illness, many of the orphans and adults had become scared of catching her disease. To ease the fear, the Director had to apply a lock and give Tria a key to enter her room. It was something that upset the girl but much like the situation with the bullies, there was nothing she could do about it.

"Come in, Mono." She pushed the door wide open.

The boy was in awe. Tria had put in the effort to make her room stand out. The ceiling was painted dark blue with many stars. Even the walls - minus the one opposite to her bed, were painted with the same starry image. The girl was quite a talented artist for her age.

"Thank you for letting me in," he thanked, entering the girl's room.

Her room had the basic things kids would have, but it had changed since the last time he had seen it. The furniture was placed in a way that made it seem normal, but she had added her belongings to make them pop out. A dull-looking wooden chair had a green cushion, giving it an earthy color. While her desk was very organized, it had little trinkets and knick knacks that looked like they had history behind them. But what had caught the boy's attention was the stack of children's books in the corner. They looked nothing like the school books the Orphanage gave to learn, with their colorful covers and fancy title font. Honestly, it reminded him of those picture books he would usually look at at the library.

"Oh, those are just some stories I took with me," the girl spoke after noticing his gaze. "Do you like to read, Mono?"

"I'm still learning..." the boy answered, feeling somewhat bashful.

Tria laughed, "With the way the teacher is trying to teach us, it would probably take ages before we understand what he is talking about."

"What he teaches us is important, just a little boring," Mono replied, though unwilling to fully badmouth the teacher's teaching styles.

"I think reading books such as these are a great way to escape sometimes," Tria replied, picking up a storybook. "This one is my personal favorite."

She showed the cover of the book in front of Mono excitedly. The boy blinked, staring at the image on the cover. It had a hooded figure hovering over a lake. However, he didn't understand what the title was. It seemed like a nice book and Mono found himself curious.

"What is it about?" he questioned.

Tria opened her mouth to answer until she closed it, reconsidering something. Immediately, a smile grew on her face, "Tell you what, Mono. Whenever we have free time, come visit my room and we'll read the book together. How does that sound?"

"It sounds perfect!"

~oOo~

The next day, a schedule was implemented. Mono would visit the older girl's room for storytelling after chores. The boy was elated. He recalled looking at the picture books when he visited the library, always interested in what the story behind the pictures was and he would mope over being unable to read some of the harder words. So now, the idea of reading Tria's collection of children's books sounded like a perfect way to pass the time.

Finished with his chores, the boy met up with Tria and together, they headed for her room. Entering, the girl allowed the boy to pick a story and she would read it. At first, Mono was about to pick the book that was Tria's favorite. However, he resisted the temptation.

Save the best for last! Looking at many of the covers, the six-year-old finally picked a book. "This one!"

Handing the book to Tria, the girl took a quick glance before smiling. It was 'The Little Mermaid'. She recognized the cover without needing to read the title. "Why this one?"

"It looks pretty."

A very simple answer. Sitting on her bed with the boy next to her, the girl began to open the book. Despite what she initially said, she allowed Mono to read what he could and if he couldn't, she would help him. Unfortunately for Tria, there was one thing she wasn't expecting during the reading. She didn't expect for Mono to ask many questions, interrupting the flow of the story. One-fourth into the book, when Mono read the part where the mermaid visited the sea witch, he started to frown, stumbling across a word that wasn't familiar to him.

"Tria, what is l-lo-ve? Love?"

The question had the girl taken aback. She knew that the boy probably didn't know much about love, knowing nothing but sadness and hate, but it saddened her to see the boy innocently asking such a question. It dawned on the girl that unlike her, Mono had lived in this Orphanage all his life. Despite it having been over a week, she hadn't fully adjusted to life as an orphan. Of course, he wouldn't know what love was. How to answer the question…?

"Mono, you know what hate is, right?"

"It's when you don't really like something... or someone," Mono nodded, used to the feeling. "It makes me feel sad."

"Correct. Hating makes you hurt and being hated also hurts. If you ever get mad, you shouldn't say that to a friend or else they would feel sad."

"Quint hates me, but he doesn't seem to hurt," the boy muttered quietly.

"That's because he's a bullying jerk who doesn't care how other people feel," the girl replied bitterly. Her expression started to soften as she thought about her past as she explained the concept. "Now, love is the opposite of hate. If you love someone, that means you care a lot for them. It makes you feel all warm and happy inside. Loving someone makes you happy and being loved does the same. Friendship is a small piece of love. Sometimes, if you leave a friend or a family member for a long time, they would feel sad because they would miss you a lot."

With that explanation in mind, Mono started to think. If that was what love meant, then he thought he loved Tria. If the girl would get adopted, then the boy believed he would miss her and feel sad too. More questions suddenly started to pour into his mind, but he decided to restrain the urge to ask for a later time.

With his question answered, Tria resumed with the storytelling. She read while Mono listened. He was shocked to hear the price the sea witch demanded from the mermaid. In his opinion, the sea witch wasn't being fair. Not only did the mermaid have to exchange her voice for a pair of legs, but each step she took on land would hurt - like stepping on sharp rocks. As Tria read the requirements for the mermaid to gain a soul, Mono had to stop her again, finding another word he didn't know about.

"What's getting married?"

"Getting married... is when two adults who love each other a lot live together. They usually have rings on their fingers to show to people," Tria answered, trying to recall details from her childhood. "I think the rings would tell other people that 'I love this person and you can't take them away from me'. It's like a pinky promise, only you can see it on... this finger." She pointed to the left ring finger. "They will eventually become parents if they want to have a family."

Mono nodded at the explanation, curiosity sparking in his mind. Wanting to read again, the boy started to try pronouncing some of the harder words while Tria would correct him. Going halfway into the book, Mono was delighted to know that the mermaid was bonding with the prince. They had many fun adventures together. However, near the end, the boy felt disheartened that the prince loved another girl whom he mistakenly believed was the one who saved him. He understood the prince loved the mermaid, but not the same way compared to the girl. At some point, he couldn't read anymore, giving the book to Tria as he just listened. He remained quiet until the ending was told. He sniffed, rubbing his eyes. He could feel Tria's gentle hand patting his head, ruffling his hair.

"I don't like the ending. It's too sad," Mono spoke, his voice quivering. "It wasn't a happy one."

"I know, Mono." She gave the boy a tissue.

Wiping his eyes, he remarked, "There's no hero or villain in the story..."

"There is none."

"It's not fair. The mermaid should be happy too. She did so much but only she didn't get to be happy."

"You think so?" Tria inquired. "I think she didn't regret her choices. Despite the price she paid to cross over to the surface world, she made wonderful memories on land. Even if her ending was a sad one, she didn't regret meeting and saving the prince."

"But I still want her to have a happy ending. It's not fair if only the prince can have happiness but the mermaid doesn't."

"Who knows? Some people are like that."

Mono turned to look at the girl, confusion etched on his face. "Like... what?"

"Despite not showing it, some people love another so much that they focus on their happiness instead of their own. It would sting but they would feel content knowing that the person they love is happy," Tria replied. Giving another pat on the boy's head, she gently assured, "One day, you'll understand what I mean."

Looking at the clock, it was starting to get late. They should be getting dinner. Tria had to excuse herself to get them their meals from the cafeteria, leaving Mono alone in her room. Looking at the cover, the boy wondered to himself. Would there be someday where he met someone like that? Someone who would want him to be happy despite it hurting them?

If that does happen one day, then I want to change that ending, Mono declared, staring at the cover. Despite that the mermaid was content with the prince's happiness, she deserved happiness too.

~oOo~

After dinner, Mono had returned to his room in the basement. The first day of storytelling had been fun despite that the boy didn't like the ending of the first story. He'd learned a few things that the teachers at the Orphanage never really taught him. The textbooks he and the other orphans were given were to help them with writing. However, the teacher was somewhat incompetent, writing stuff on the board without explaining the meaning of what he wrote, expecting for everyone to write it down and understand it by themselves.

Tria makes a far better teacher, Mono giggled to himself. She teaches better and helps me understand words that I don't know. And her stories are much more fun than those boring textbooks!

Changing into his pajamas, the boy was about to climb onto his bed when a thought suddenly hit him. Tria had so many belongings with her that it had the boy curious. He was aware he probably didn't have much, considering that he was dropped off here by his parents, but there had to be something, right? He never questioned it before but after seeing Tria's unique room, it had him wondering.

So he checked the drawers under his desk. The bottom one was jammed. Pulling and tugging as much as he could, Mono finally pried the thing opened. Taking a peek inside, the child felt wonder in his mind. So he did have belongings. Two, in fact. A white blanket that had been preserved from time - untouched and unused, and a little string bag. Taking the blanket out of the drawer, Mono felt the material in his hands. It was soft. Not the silky type of soft, more like... woolly? Rubbing his fingers on the blanket, Mono started to let his mind wander off.

When Mother had me, did she wrap me in this blanket? Did she loved me? Mono recalled what the Director had told him. His parents dropped him here because they couldn't afford to take care of him yet. I wonder if she misses me? Tria did say some people focus on other people's happiness instead of their own without saying it. Maybe Mother and Father left me here because they worried I wouldn't be well if I live with them?

Whatever the case, he could not wait to meet them, or at least one of them. Gently putting the blanket aside, Mono pulled out the drawstring pouch bag from the drawer. It was a magenta color and the end had a long string around it so it could be worn. In bright, silvery colors and a fancy font was his name adorning the bag. Shaking it, he could feel something bouncing inside. Opening the bag, Mono put his hand inside until he touched a small, smooth surface. What was it? A pebble?

Pulling his hand out, the boy stared at a small, white orb. It was very pretty. Walking away from the drawer and towards the window, he held the orb under the moonlight. Just what was this stone? Whatever it was, it almost looked like the moon!

"I'll have to ask Tria about it! She might know what this is!"

Putting the white orb back inside his bag and putting his two belongings where he'd found them, the boy finally climbed into bed. Pulling the blanket over him, Mono looked at the ceiling in deep thought.

Friends... love... The last word had the boy smiling. Just like what Tria said, he felt that happy, warm feeling in his chest. That was what it felt to love someone? It was so sweet. His smile grew more as his eyes closed.

I want to make more friends and meet my parents. That way, I can love more.

~oOo~

In his office, the Director was fumbling with a piece of paper from his pocket. It had been a long time since he had glanced at the number; he had to make sure it was the correct one. The boy's question from a few weeks ago had rang in his head.

"Director, when will my parents come and pick me up?"

It was time. It was time for those parents to come... or at least one of them. With the string of nine digits, the Director picked up the phone and placed it between his ear and shoulder. Reading the numbers, his bulky finger pressed the buttons with the corresponding digits. He waited until the person at the other end picked up the phone. For a while, all he could hear was the buzzing. He grunted; a small part of him was growing impatient. He needed someone to pick up the damn phone! It was important! Finally, the buzzing stopped as someone finally decided to answer.

"Hello?" A woman's voice was on the receiver.

From her tone, the woman sounded tired. But the Director could tell. In that tone was a hint of anger and bitterness. Nobody but him would be able to pick up on it, believing that the woman only sounded fatigued. Something big must have happened. Still, the Director couldn't keep his tone from sounding sarcastic.

"Why, hello, Prim. How are you?" the Director greeted.

"D-Director? Why-"

He cut her off, "I have a favor to ask. Remember how you sent young Mono to me six years ago?"

He remembered so surely she did as well.

On a cold January night, the Director was alerted to the desperate knocking noise on the front door. Tiredly, the man got up from his office and headed downstairs to the front entrance. Opening the door, he could see a cloaked woman standing outside. Dangling from her hand was a swinging basket. In that basket was a baby boy wrapped in white. Under the blanket, he could slightly see a hint of magenta if he squinted his eyes. Looking up to meet with the woman's face, he could see her expression despite the darkness surrounding them. It wasn't like any he had ever seen. Even her presence was something to not be expected. All children usually came by themselves. But this child had someone to take him to the Orphanage. Furthermore, the child was only an infant.

Deciding that he had stared enough, he cleared his throat, "What business do you have with me?"

"Please, take him." The woman handed the tiny basket to him. "Here's my number. Call me if you need me for important things."

Left with the infant, the Director contemplated on what to do. From the way the stressed woman put emphasis on the word 'important', he could tell he shouldn't call her at any other day, at any other time. He could only call her for something special. Looking at the piece of paper she had given him, the Director could make out a name. In fancy letters was the name 'Prim' written above the string of nine numbers. Sighing tiredly, he put the paper away. For now, he had to think of what to do with the now fussy infant.

He couldn't put him with the other orphans on the second floor. His whines and cries would only bother the older children and he wanted the children to be well rested to do their chores. This was why he only accepted children, not infants. Because with children, he could at least control them. He couldn't do that with infants.

Staring at the boy, the Director frowned as the child looked at him with his dark brown eyes. At least he had stopped being fussy, merely observing the man. The Director sneered at the child. He knew where to put him.

"The basement shall do for you."

Prim's voice had snapped the Director out of his trip down memory lane and from her tone, it was confirmed that she did, indeed, remembered. "Now is not the time, Director. I am highly distressed at the moment."

"Well, if you are distressed, perhaps you should visit your son. Unless, ah, you have problems within your household that mean you can't make it?"

"No, I shall visit. I have a lot to unload off my shoulders anyway. Things back here haven't been going the way I wanted," Prim replied with a sigh. "When is the best time for me to visit?"

"Hm, it's near the end of summer. I'd say September 10th would be a good day."

"Very well, I'll see you then, Director."

Smiling, the Director bid the receiver a good night before putting the phone back in its place. What an eventful day September the 10th would be! A joyful reunion between mother and son!