Orphan

“Si!” A girl shouts from somewhere down the hall. The sound of the front door slamming shut, and then hurried footsteps running up the stairs following shortly afterwards. “Iv got them Si!” The bedroom door is thrown open to reveal a very bedraggled and out of breath Chantelle puffing in the doorway.

Chantelle, or Elle as we called her in the orphanage, had been my friend for as long as I could remember. We had both arrived at Blue Valley orphanage around the same time, both a similar age, and both completely unaware of where we came from. She was like the sister I never knew if I had, we were a bit like chalk and cheese in every way you can be. Not just in looks, but personality as well.  I guess its true what they say, two opposites attract. Her outward, fun personality made up for my inwardly quiet one. Together we brought out the best in each other, and more times than not, Elle had my back, while I simply encouraged her to not let anyone bring her down.

Elle was beautiful and confident in an exotic kind of way. Her chocolate skin highlighted her deep brown eyes, and coiled hair which was piled high on top of her head. She was warm in both manner and personality. Whereas I, I was a plain Jane. My murky blonde hair, straight as a pin falling down my back like a sheet of dull silk. Brown eyes that were nothing particularly remarkable. The one thing that I did have going for me, was that I was always good at sports. Elle has always noticed how I could eat like a horse, yet my physic never changed. My toned stomach and shapely legs forever a reminder of just how lazy she was.

I had been at the top of the track and field leader board through the whole of school. Something which I had been incredibly proud of. Despite the fact of not knowing where I had come from, I always imagined that perhaps one, or both of my parents were Olympic track runners, and that was the reason for athletic abilities. My coach had often tried to convince me to go pro, but to be honest, running had been an escape for me. A way to be able to burn off pent up frustration at being stuck in an orphanage and the anger I felt towards the parents that abandoned me there. But it wasn’t a career move I wanted.

I didn’t really know what I wanted to do with my life. I had no real interest in anything. Nothing that had ever called out to me. Living in an orphanage didn’t exactly open up the doors to worldly experiences and endless possibilities. We were the forgotten ones. Never being able to afford the school class trips and day excursions. As soon as I finished my last test at school, I went out and signed up to the job centre in the hopes of being able to make some money for myself and see something of the world. Something other than the drab little town of Blue Valley.

Working part time in the local grocery store wasn’t exactly world altering, but it was a job at least, and a way of being able to afford something other than hand-me-downs. And hopefully it would lead to me being independent.

I didn’t have long before the orphanage would be looking to get rid of me anyway. As soon as I turned 18, I was no longer classed as a minor. And so, the government was happy to send me out into the world an adult that can fend for herself. College wasn’t an option for me. I had little more than a year to save as much as I could and find a way out on my own.

“What do you have?” Taking note of my panting friend still stood in the doorway of our shared bedroom.

“Tickets!” She all screams at me, “to Howlers this Friday! Happy Birthday!”

“Seriously Elle? They aren’t not going to let two 17 years olds into the hottest night club in town.” I comment, quickly loosing interest.

“I’ve sorted that too.” She squeals, revealing her other hard behind her back and producing two very shiny looking provisional driver licences. Taking one from her I scan quickly over the small little blue card. My name and face plastered across the front.

“Fake ID’s?” I look up at her, my eyebrow cocked up in disbelief. “Are you trying to get us arrested?”

“Oh my god Si, you have got to be the dullest person ever! I have just presented you with a ticket to one of the most sought-after nightclubs in town, and an ID to get in, yet all you can think about is whether or not its legal!” Elle plops down onto the bed beside me with a long sigh and a bedsprings squeaking in protest. “Please just come, I promise you, you will have a good time. Plus, the guys that go there are super-hot!” She wiggles her eyebrows at me suggestively, a smirk plastered to her face.

“Ok fine,” I relent, “but don’t even think about making me wear some skimpy number that barely covers my arse.” I give her a long look to empathises my point.

“I make no promises.” She presses her lips together and looks away.

Shaking my head, I watch as she jumps us from the bed, places the tickets and fake ID’s into the top drawer of the dresser before making her way to the door.

“I got to go Si, I’m late for work. But remember, this Friday! Don’t even think about trying to get out of it!” She scolds me, her slim hand coming to sit on her hip as admonishes me.

“I promise I won’t.” Holding up my hands in surrender. Happy that she has gone as she disappears down the hall once more, leaving me sat in my room, uncertainty rolling in my gut and the deep sense that Friday night was not going to be the night she thinks it will be.