The bells at the corridor of Little Mary's rang. It was now seven. When the bells ring at seven everyone should get inside their dormitories. Everyone started running towards the little door of the big house. It was not quite a house, even though it looked like one. Children didn't get the feeling of being in their own home. Well, most of them does not know what it's like to have a family or a home. Most of them were abandoned just after they were born. 57 girls along with a maid and the principal lived there. Girls of age 2 to 17lived there. When they turn 18, they are sent out to live their life in whatever way they want. After a girl goes out of little Mary's the authorities doesn't have any responsibility over them. Each and every girl living there is dreaming for that day to come except, Astrid Blu.
Astrid Blu is currently attending her chemistry class at her school. She is a 15 year with a 50 year olds heart. Highly responsible and quite tall for her age. She never fits anywhere. She hardly talks to anyone at Little Mary's. Everyone looks at like she's an alien or something.
Well, that poor girl didn't have a nice childhood. Her mother died giving birth to her. Her father died when she was only three years old. After that she was raised by her Grandmother who was not at all caring. She blamed Astrid for the death of her mother. She would make Astrid believe that she was up to no good. Her Grandmother almost killed her through mental harassment, when the authorities found out about poor Astrid. She was eleven at that time. Since then she has a weak smile on her pale, lifeless face.
She never really talks to anyone. If someone tries to talk
well most people don't
she simply avoids them.
Everyone has to get back to the house before seven but Astrid never does that. She likes wandering around and discovering new places in the neighborhood.
***
In the dark alley, a girl in her teens can be seen walking with her head low with a backpack on her back. Her body clad in blue jeans and an orange sweatshirt. She has long red silky hair which is tied into a pony tail, was swaying to and fro,which reaches up to her waist. Her eyes which are quite big for her face has the prettiest blue with a black pupil in the middle. Her freckles can be seen clear on her pale face. Her face looks like she have never laughed in her entire life. If she laughs, she would look even more pretty with a slight red colour on the apple of her cheeks. Her mind is wandering somewhere as there can be seen a tiny little frown between her eyebrows.
Her mind started flooding with the same unanswered questions that haunts every night. Why did my parents die? Why am I so miserable? Did my mom die because of me? She died giving birth to me. But I was just a baby. Maybe my Grandmother was right, maybe I am the reason why my mother died. When my birthday comes i don't really know whether to be happy or sad. Grandmother would totally forget the fact that my mother's death day is my birthday. So she would spend all day crying, and asking God, why such a miserable day had to be made? Who wouldn't? But why did she blame me for my Father's death too. I don't even know how he died. I remember asking my Grandmother and feeling a slap on my face. Maybe I am miserable. No wonder no one talks to me.
Her hands automatically trailed up to the single chain she wore on her neck with a piece of mirror as its locket. It was her mother's. Her dad gave it to her on her 2nd birthday. She still remember him telling her to keep it close forever with a few tears dripping down from his eyes. Since them she have had that. It was the only jewelry she owned. Whenever she was confused she would touch it unknowingly and that somehow seemed to calm her thoughts down.
She was getting nearer and nearer to the gates of Little Mary's. Almost everyone was inside their dormitories as it was past 7. She slowly walked towards her dorm. Suddenly a voice came out of nowhere startling her.
"Astrid Blu, how many times do we have to tell you that you should get inside your dormitory exactly at 7. Why are you always late?"
It was none other than Miss Annie, the warden of Little Mary's. She is a tall, slim lady with a long thin nose and small eyes. She had blonde wavy hair that was always tied into a big bun. She used to wear pink dress and pink high heels. She always carry a bunch of files in her left hand. And has a small voice impossible to hear.
"Sorry Miss Annie, there was um there was... Eh this announcement...." Astrid mumbled
"An announcement that lasted for half an hour. Don't play with me Astrid. This should be the last time you do this. Don't repeat it or you'll have to face the consequences. Off you go now".
"Yes ma'am" Astrid said with her head hanging low. She wasn't sure if it was possible. Every time she goes to explore new places she loses track of the time flowing faster than usual. Guess she'll have to stop that habit of roaming around. Even though it was the only thing she wanted to do.
With that said, she goes into her dorm.
*******
Miss Annie was walking towards the room of Mrs Belmont. Catherine Belmont, the owner and supervisor of Little Mary's. She is a 60 year old lady. Fat and plump. Her hair was starting to turn gray. Her happy face is always turned on. She wears a round shaped spectacles on the tip of her nose.
"This is exhausting, Miss Belmont" said Miss Annie. Frustration clear in her voice."Astrid blue, we have to do something about her. She is always late. I guess she went somewhere unknown just like last time".
"Calm down Annie. You know about that poor thing, don't you? Mrs Belmont said in her most relaxing voice.
" But still, she can't grow up like this. She is 15 now. We tried our best to make her happy like everyone else in here for almost 4 years. And what happened. Nothing." Her voice was already shaking.
"We can't change her past, now can we? Listen to me Annie. A person's life depends on his past and future. But we have to forget both and live in the moment called 'now'. If she can't get over her past, there is nothing we can do about her, but we can prepare her for the future. And that's exactly what we are doing, aren't we?"
The lady in front of her is starting to relax slowly.
"Now relax and go to bed. Everything will be fine" Mrs Belmont concluded.
"Hmm poor thing. Don't know why all this happened to her at such a small age. Then off I go. Goodnight, Mrs Belmont" with that said, Miss Annie walks out of the room leaving the older lady alone.
" Times do change, and we won't even know" Mrs Belmont told herself and walked towards the large round mirror with broad frameworks. She smiled to the reflection of her own wrinkled face.
***
