Larceny

Chapter 1

“Silvia!”

I looked up from a book that I was currently reading. Oh, Mrs. Smith. She was standing beside a very young couple, maybe in their mid-20s. It wasn’t often someone was interested in knowing me or even adopting me. I wonder if this couple would be the same as the last one.

“Hello,” I said, as I got up and put my book down on the desk and gave the couple a small smile and held my hands together to seem obedient to them. It was a practice that I know I have grown used to. Smile, hands held, stand straight. During those times, I followed them in hopes of finding a home for myself. But I’ve grown to realize I wasn’t anyone’s dream child to adopt.

I’m not the ideal child for couples. Some say that I’m too old, too tall, too skinny, too quiet, too weird, but all of them don't seem to fail to say “What happened to her?” pointing to me with a weird-out face, All the ‘potential’ parents of mine were freaked out about the huge scar I had on my right eye when they first saw me. The scar went up my eyebrow and down to my cheek, so it was pretty noticeable to people.

After those couples saw my scar, they’d laugh nervously and ask to meet another child in the orphanage home. I was hurt about it at first, but I eventually got used to it. Mrs. Smith always said that I’d eventually find a family of my own. I clung to that hope for years until I just gave up and was hoping I’d leave this place when I was eighteen.

I don’t know how long I’ve spaced out, But Mrs. Smith's voice eventually brought me back to reality once again, “Silvia, please meet, Mr. and Mrs. Evans” Mrs. Smith introduced the couple to me. “Hello Silvia, I’m Casandra Evans and this is James Evans. Nice to meet you” Mrs. Evans approached me and gave me a warm smile, while Mr. Evans smiled at me before following Mrs. Smith out of my room.

I gave a small smile back at Mrs. Evans. I wasn’t comfortable with her approaching me, but I’ll have to deal with it for now. “So how old are you Silvia?” OK, I wasn’t expecting this. “O…o-oh I’m sixteen years old, Ms,” I said. My voice is cracking from the lack of use. Mrs. Evans nodded and smiled at my answer.

“So what are your hobbies and interests?” She continued the conversation, “Oh… uh-.... Those reading books consider it a hobby?” I asked, Unsure of it. “Of course dear, that’s one of my hobbies” She chuckled, I could feel my eyes light up. No one really had the same interest in my likings and usually called it ‘boring’ or ‘nerdy’.

“Oh! I’m glad you also like reading. I always thought I was the only one who liked to read”, I smiled, finally knowing someone who liked books. We continued on with our conversation when she suddenly stopped and looked at me for a moment, “Silvia, if you don’t mind me asking how you got your scar?” She asked, almost quiet as a whisper.

I grimaced at the question, I had expected this question would come out of her mouth. “I- I don’t want to talk about it…” I wasn’t comfortable telling anyone how I got my scar. It’s too gruesome a memory to remember right now. She nodded, “No need to tell me now, Siv… take your time and trust me” She held my hand. I was confused about what she meant by ‘take your time’. It’s not like I'll be seeing her after this.

She got up and started to go out of my room, but before she could go to the hallway she gave a wave goodbye before going to the direction where Mr. Evans and Mrs. Smith went, I stared at the hallway before getting up and closing my door to continue my reading for this peaceful afternoon.

I woke up suddenly with a knock on my door. Did I fall asleep? I looked at my clock and it was already 7 pm. I sighed and got up to open the door. “Hey Siv, Mrs. Smith wants you in her office, '' Jane said. She was one of the older kids in the orphanage. She's 6 years younger than me and shorter than me. “Oh… I’ll be down.” She nodded and left.

After I freshened up a bit, I got down and went down the hall where Mrs. Smith’s office was. I knocked on the old wooden door before I heard a faint voice saying to go inside. I opened the door and Mrs. Smith was seated in her office chair holding a document of some sort in her hands. I sat down on the chair opposite to her and waited for her to talk.

“Silvia, I have good news for you!” Mrs. Smith was very excited. I was a little bit confused about why she was so happy. I awkwardly gave her a smile to seem interested in the news she had for me.

“The Evans’s would like to adopt you!”