Artemis
"WHERE were you, Artemis?" worried, Miss Claudia asked.
I was still so stunned at what I have heard from the couple earlier. I just shook my head. "I was in the bathroom, Miss Claudia. I had to pee."
She sighed. "Poor girl. Let's bid our goodbye to the couple now, shall we?"
I nodded, even though I am not sure if I could face them. I feel so guilty for eves dropping.
I chose not to think of what I have heard. I chose to set it aside and let things be.
Anya offered my doll to me that I left in the play room earlier. I hugged it tightly.
"How was your one hour play?" Senior asked.
"It seems like they had fun, Senior. I'd like to thank you for the invitation. This is such a core memory for the children," Miss Claudia said.
"That's not a problem. We feel so empty here in our house, we would always like to receive guests, especially children," Seniora said.
I noticed her puffy eyes. She must have cried so hard earlier.
"Sister, can I have a private talk with you, please?" said Seniora.
Miss Claudia nodded and the other nuns guided as back to our buses. I sat exactly where I sat this morning. I stared at nowhere, trying to think about the couple's conversation.
"Art, are you sick?" Anya asked.
"No, I'm fine. I'm just a bit sleepy," I lied.
"Oh, okay... You can sleep the whole ride home, though. I won't disturb you, I swear!" she said.
And that's what exactly happened.
That trip was already three months ago but I think, I was just so bored that I kept thinking of it. We never heard any news from the Veil couple after that.
Yesrs have past and everything changed a bit. I am now a teenager. It was my brithday when new orphans came. Everyone was so busy that day that I never got to celebrate my birthday.
"I'm sorry, Artemis. A bit delayed bit we prepared a cake for you!" Miss Claudia showed me a huge chocolate cake, evening of that date.
I screamed in so much joy. "Thank you, Miss Claudia!" I jumped to hug her tightly.
My close friends joined me eat my cake, they greeted me and even gave me hand written letters! That night went well. I didn't ask for a celebration but then, they always cared for me.
Now I think, do I even need a biological family when I have them? Am I lonely? Am I alone in this lifetime? I have them... That means, I am not, right?
In the middle of my sleep, I felt my stomach ache so bad. I quickly got up and tried to find my eyeglasses. I cannot see anything without it!
Oh my goodness!
I was in the verge so I decided to just go to the bathroom, half sighted. In the hallway, I heard murmurs from the vacant room next to ours. I stopped to peek but I only saw a silhouette of a boy. His back facing the door, he's sitting in front the bed side table.
"Excuse me?" I called him. "Miss Claudia said, no one's allowed to enter this room," I informed.
The boy glanced at me. The light coming from the lamp shade wasn't enough to enhance my eye sight. He stepped near me, heavy steps to be exact!
I stepped back, scared that he might get angry for interrupting him!
As he got nearer, I saw how tall he is! I was just on his chest level. I gulped and narrowed my eyes to see his face.
"I'm sorry for leaving the door open, miss. Miss Claudia told me to sleep here for tonight, the other room is not yet fully clean," his slightly deep voice.
My lips parted. I thought he was mad!
"Uh..." My stomach calmed a bit. "S-Sorry, I thought-"
I stopped when I saw how he slightly pushed his specs upward. Oh!
I squinted my eyes again. "Good night," I said and ran when I felt my cheeks heat like a pan!
What was that?! Who is he?!
The next morning, I tried to find the boy but I couldn't remember anything about his face since I didn't see it clearly. All I know is that he wears spectacle. But there are four boys in the orphanage that wear those! Two are new orphans!
I ate my breakfast in the bedroom because I was not feeling well. My stomach ached the whole night. Miss Claudia told me to take a rest and just skip her classes today, but I had tons of assignments to do!
I slept for three hours when I felt a sudden hunger. It woke me up. I sighed and was about to get up to get some food downstairs when I heard footsteps.
I immediately wore my glasses and an unfamiliar man entered the room. He's tall, lean, and slightly tanned.
I frowned. "Uh..."
"Miss Claudia asked me to bring your lunch." He smiled at me.
His eyes speaks colors. He's handsome, I could say. His brows are thick, hair as dark as charcoal, almond eyes in the shade of grey, pointed nose and plump, pinkish lips. I noticed how his Adam's apple move.
He put the food on my bed side table. "I think you should eat now, it's already two in the afternoon," he added and pushed back his spectacles.
Spectacles?!
My jaw dropped. No way!
"Wait, are you..." My cheeks heated.
"About last night... Did I scare you?" he asked genuinely.
He seems so tall for our age. How old is he? Is he an orphan? I mean, did he say that last night? I don't know!
He gulped and looked at the tray of food. His jaw clenched and he stood properly.
"I was not scared..."
He nodded gently. "You should eat. I'll go downstairs now, I have to clean the garden," he said and turned his back.
Stunned, I blinked. What was that? Who is he, really?
The days went really awkward everytime I had any interaction with that man. I started to hate seeing him. My mind always went blank everytime he starts to talk to me!
I rolled my eyes when I saw him watering the plants. Miss Claudia told me to cut small grasses, didn't know he was here.
I tried to go back inside but I remembered how terrifying Miss Claudia when she gets mad!
I went back and started cutting small grasses, ignoring the presence of a man.
"How was your breakfast?"
There he goes again. Why is he so talkative?!
"Fine..."
"Uh-huh? How about your assignments?" I could hear his smile.
I glanced at him. I hugged my knees, and annoyed, I pulled the grasses a bit harsh. "Fine..."
"You done?"
"With what?" I answered harshly.
"The assignments..." He sounded confused now.
"Yeah..." I pulled the grass harsher now. I even saw some soil flying from my pull.
I heard the water hose stop. "That's good to hear. I can help you if you want-"
"No, thanks-"
"Uh... Can you be gentle, please-"
"What?!" I stood up to face him, anger made my face so hot.
Startled, he stepped back. His lips parted and his eyes looked at my left eye, then to the right. "H-Huh?"
"Why would you say that?! Why would you tell me to talk to you gently, huh?!" I spat.
He tried to take a step closer but I pushed his chest. "I meant the grasses-"
"Go away! Stop bothering me!" I shouted before finally running back inside.
I saw Miss Claudia om my way. She noticed my dirty hands. She was about to ask something but she stopped when my tears fell down.
Oh, God! Why am I suddenly crying out of that argument?!
And yes, that day, we both were called to Miss Claudia's room.
"Artemis?" she asked me first.
I fold my arms on my chest. "I was... Annoyed by his questions..."
"Oh, dear..." She face palmed. "My dear, we do not do that..."
"Uh, Miss, I understand. I just thought it was a good idea to talk to her-"
"Artemis?" Miss Claudia called me again.
I looked at her and pouted. I then glanced at the man. I pouted at him.
His tensed eyes softened. It went to my pouting lips.
"Dear, you don't have to be rude to him, okay? Lash is a nice guy. You two should compromise to not get into fight again."
I pouted harder. I saw a ghost of smile on his lips. He looked away and removed his specs. He rubbed his eyes.
"I'll leave you two here. To talk. Not to shout again. Understood?"
I nodded at Miss Claudia. She left the room and the awkwardness coated us.
The guy, named Lash, faced me. His innocent face lighted up.
"I'm sorry..." he said.
"Sorry," I said.
"You can stop pouting now," he added. He reached for my face and pulled gently my chin, making me stop from pouting. "There."
I rolled my eyes. "You should stop being casual, I'm older than you-"
"Huh?"
My lips twitched. "Why?"
"I'm eighteen... You're?"
His innocent look really bothered me. I looked away to hide my shock. He's eighteen?!
"I'm s-seventeen! That's no difference!" I insisted, I lied!
I was about to go out when he pulled my arm. He was still sitting on the bed. His eyes were a bit drowsy when it met mine. His glasses is on the edge of the bed. I fixed mine to see him clearly
He seemed like a grown man already, but young at the same time. Is this why I'm a bit intimidated by him?
My cheeks flushed. "Lash, right?" I asked. "I'm seventeen and that makes no difference from you being eighteen."
He smirked, his pearly whites showed. That smirk was meant to be menacing, but his calm, angel-like features made it look like an innocent smile.
"Silly, girl..." He stood and patted my head.
It made me close my eyes. My heart pumped so hard against my chest. His natural scent enveloped my senses.
"I know you're only fourteen," he added.
My mouth ran dry. Embarrassment coated me.
What does that mean? Why am I embarrassed? Embarrassed because he knows I lied? Or embarrassed that he might see me as a kid?!
Oh, God!
"Good night, Artemis," he said before going out the room first.
Leaving me dumbfounded.