#Chapter 2: In The Orphanage
Half a year after Mark's death, at Mrs. Matthew's orphanage, New York
Anna POV
I was sitting down on a tree, crying on my knees, remembering the moments when Mark and I were playing at a playground. I hugged my doll, the pink box beside me. Mark was right, that box and doll always made me feel better no matter how many tears I shed.
Since I lived in this orphanage, I became a loner. I didn't have any friends and nobody in this orphanage could help me. That's why the owner of the orphanage sent me a psychologist to help me out with my problems.
The psychologist told me and the owner of orphanage, Ms. Matthews that I needed a new family so I can finally be 'healed'. Ms. Matthews gave out news about me, a depressed girl, to have a family adopt me. There's a few that would like to adopt me, but I didn't want to be adopted. The only family I had was Mark. Anyone else could never be the same.
While I was crying, there came Ms. Matthews with a family beside her.
The family consisted of a wife and husband, and a daughter and son. The husband had silver white hair whilst the wife had a softer shade of brown. The weird bunch of the family would be the children. The daughter had the same brown hair as her mother. The son had silvery white just like his father, but a bit more messy and was a tad bit long for a boy. The four came towards me. The closer they got the more sadness I feel. Why couldn't Mrs. Matthew ever understand? I wanted Mark, not them.
But Mark was gone, and I was all alone. If I kept refusing people around me, I would only get lonelier. It was a reality that I know well but couldn't accept. And looking at the family before me made my heart hurt more. A small stream of tears fell down my face.
"Annabelle dear, here's a family that would very much like to adopt you. I'll give you all some privacy," Ms. Matthews said.
As she left, the family slowly circled around me
"It's okay. There's no need to be afraid sweetheart," The woman told me with a soft tone. It...it almost sounded like how Mark would say it. But I ignored it.
"Leave me alone, I only want to be with Mark!" I said between sobs.
"Mark you say? Is he perhaps your father?" The man asked me.
I nodded. "He's the only one who cares about me. No one is like him! None of you are! Go away!" With that last word, I buried my face in my knees
A small silence came, before I felt a presence closing in.
"Why are you hiding your face? Do you have acne?" the girl asked me. "Mom has acne and they look gross. She said we're gonna get them too though eww."
"I don't have them alright!" I said with furrowed brows. What a strange girl to suddenly say these things
The girl laughed. "Then prove it! Look at me. My face is clear as crystal!"
"Don't wanna."
"C'moooon." The girl then paused. "Oh, I see. You just don't want to get blinded by my skin. It's okay if you don't want to then!"
I rolled me eyes. "It can't be THAT clear." I then lifted my face, seeing the brunette before me. "See? You have freckles! My face is better than yours!"
The girl gasped. "Mom! She looked at me! I did it! She looks so cute!"
Realization hit me and I never felt so stupid. I was a bit angry at the girl with the freckled face, but the way she laughed even after getting flicked at the forehead by her mom made me smile a little. Just a little
This family was definitely different than from the ones before. They caught me staring, and each curved smiles warm as sunset. I liked sunsets. I smiled back
"My name is Emily Overland, and this is my husband, James Overland. What's your name, sweetie?" the lady then said as she gestured hand to the man beside her.
"A-A-Annabeth. You can call me Anna miss," I said in an almost whimper like tone. The woman looked overwhelmingly graceful. Accompanied by the man beside her, the two made a lovely couple.
It was the daughter's and son's turns to introduce their names to me.
"I'm Pippa Overland! Just call me Emma or Em," Emma greeted cheerfully. "Sorry for earlier, I just really wanted to see what you look like. How old are you?"
"I'm 10."
"I'm 8. I'm younger then!" She then suddenly leans closer. "And you're oooooold."
Her voice sounded like a broken horn at the last word, and I couldn't help but laugh as I push her away. "We're only two years apart!"
Emma pretended to be hurt, widening her eyes at me with feigned shock. "Well it's nice to meet you too!"
"Back off Emma," a boy behind her said in fond exasperation. He pushed her shoulder aside. "I'm Jackson Frost Overland. Jack is fine. I'm 12."
Emma suddenly jumped in. "He's OOOOOLD!"
"SHUT UP!" Jack bursted, not in anger though. I could see the way he tried hard not to smile. "One day you'll be 12 too Emma!"
"Think of how old you'll be when that time comes!"
"You little-!"
The two then chased around eachother, and I could only giggle as I watched them bicker at the same time. Looking at them, something just felt so nostalgic and so familiar.
The two were eventually stopped by their parents, and now we're sharing stories. I learned that Jack's hair was silvery white because he born like that, I knew weird right? I learned a lot of things about the Overland family. It was fun, it felt fresh. Like finally entering a new life. If I was met with this kind of feeling everyday, maybe I could change too. Maybe this family was my answer. I enjoyed my time with these people so much I didn't realize it was already night time.
"It's so dark outside!" Emma exclaimed
"Yeah," I said, albeit sad. Were they going to leave now?
"Anna, before we leave-" I tensed a bit, "-can we ask you one more question?" Mr. Overland asked me.
I had a questioning look. "Yes?"
"Anna, would you like to be adopted and be a part of our family? Since we know each other now, we would like to adopt you to become our daughter."
I only had one answer.
"Yes, I would like to. I would really like to!"
A wide smile stretched Mr. Overland's face, before embracing me in his arms. Soon, the rest of the family followed, enveloping me with warmth
Mr. James Overland, as you know who, was my father now. He took care all of my adoption letters, even the stuff that I need in the future. I left the orphanage with a family I grew to love and care
That was 8 years ago...
Now I'm 18 years old. My name was no longer just Annabeth anymore, but now it's Annabeth Overland. My nickname was still Anna though.
This year I'm ready to start college in Corona University, taking the business major. I was going there with my brother, Jack. He was going to be a computer lecturer there. He had just finished college in Oxford and wanted to start working. He was 20 years old now. Even if I didn't take computer major, he would still pay attention to me. Emma couldn't go to college yet because she is still in her school years.
My brunette sister and I were strolling around a store, buying college and school needs, such as notebooks, new backpacks, some other stationery, and other things
I couldn't believe that I'd collage soon. I was so excited!