Avery's pov

I sat at the window in my bedroom , at least it was our general bedroom at the orphanage , we had about 5 rooms and there were about 15 children so some rooms had three occupants while others had four occupants and the last was reserved for our caretakers , at least Miss Astrid , Mark would mostly sleep in the living room if he doesn't go back home after the day's work .

I was looking outside the window , it was snowing and every where was cold . My siblings liked to call me a flower because I was delicate . I could catch a cold at any slightest chance . I also had several allergies . I heard the door open and someone walk in , but I was busy thinking and hoping that no couples comes asking for my siblings again . We didn't like the orphanage , neither did we hate , but we did not like it when people would ask to Adopt only Avan or perhaps Ava or even both , without thinking of me .

I felt a hand touch me and I turned to see Avan . I gave him a big hug and he stroked my dark brown hair and held my cheeks so that I was looking at his dark blue eyes , he looked into my light blue eyes as tears welled up and he wiped them away .

" Don't cry Avery , everything will be fine ", he said and I was still a bit worried

, last time Astrid threatened that if we turn down anymore couples , we'd go in for it .

I was scared because I've seen her use the whip on other children as well . For some reason she treated Avan , Ava and I specially , our breakfast was whatever we chose , we got new clothes every week which was monthly for other kids , even our room was special , it was really weird but I always avoided thinking about it , and that was impossible , seeing as other children were beginning to get mad at us for no reason .

" What if they separate us ", I said and a fresh batch of tears fell from my eyes .

"Um .... Crying will make you have dark circles under your beautiful eyes , so stop crying ", he said and I knew he was ignoring my question and he even avoided my eyes .

" Now , it's time for school , so get your bag let's leave , the school bus will be here soon ",

I took my bag , and we went out to the living room . Others were having breakfast , Avan had saved a spot for me , between himself and Ava . I went there and sat down and Avan took his seat as well .

" What took you so long ", Astrid asked and I searched my brain for something . My palms became sweaty . I reached for the glass of water to drink and buy sometime while I thought of what to say , but my hands were shaky . There was a straw across the table for the juice box we were to pack up in our lunch , I took that and opened it up and used to sip water and finally , I thought of something .

" I....I was packing my bag ", I managed to say , without exposing myself .

" Eat quickly , the school bus will be here soon ", Astrid said and she continued eating her spaghetti and meatballs . It was friday and we always had spaghetti on friday . We all finished eating soon and said a prayer of thanks and Astrid walked us all out , as we waited for the school bus , I heard some kids talking about me , it could be anyone , but I had a gut feeling it was me and then I heard a kid say ' lesson '.

Soon the school bus arrived and we all got in Avan sat down and a kid called Mason sat next to him and when Ava told him to move he said he wasn't because he got to sit down there .

" What's going on Mason ", Miss Astrid asked and Mason looked at the floor .

" I sat here first and Ava wants to sit here ", he lied , mainly because Me , Avan and Ava would sit on that particular row .

" Give the girl what she wants ", Miss Astrid said and Mason got upset , he got up and left and we all got sitted . I wanted to pack my long hair Into a ponytail , but the ruffle fell behind me , I turned to get it , but I saw something really surprising .

That kid , Mason , was behind me . He gave me a weird smile and I knew he was up to something . He held up my ruffle and gave it back to me effortlessly . I was confused .

" Thank you ", I mumbled as I took it .

He just nodded and gave it to me . I turned left to see Matt , who smiled and waved at me . I tapped Avan and pointed to his best friend . Avan smiled and waved to him .

We were at our school gate soon and we all got down .

Mason got down as well and he was walking in symmetry with us , he wasn't on the same line with us ,but he tried really hard not to lose sight of us . And finally he struck and he walked in front of us .

" Hey losers ", he said and I eye rolled , I saw matt get really mad , but I held his hand and he knew I meant he should calm down . Matt and I understood each other ,he would understand when I'm upset , when I'm scared , when I'm worried , and he knew the right way to cheer me up , Ava liked him alot , but she noticed that we were always together and she got a little jealous .