Faded

Adulthood

15 years later 

"This is the reason no one adopted you Bobby! You are so annoying! Maybe that's why your parents abandoned you!"  

Yena shouts out of frustration.  

"Oh yeah?! Look who's talking? You know why every single couple rejects you? You are weird as f**k! And maybe that's why your parents threw you away!" 

Bobby claps back.  

If they were still young, both of them would surely cry at these words. But as they grew up this "jokes" doesn't really affect them anymore they were numb or maybe they just thought that this was nothing but ridiculous. 

He sighed and walked ahead of Yena.  

"You know what, let's just go home! I'm already starving and I'm sure nana prepared a very nice meal. And your good friend Zion is already waiting for you." 

 Bobby teased his friend with his playful grin 

“what’s with that stupid face you rat? Shut up and just walk ahead!” Yena shouted playfully. 

“You want me to walk ahead? Just say you want to stare at my ass and go.” Bobby teased the girl again smirking. Yena groaned and started chasing Bobby  

As soon as they reach home, they went straight to the kitchen and greet the other children and the nannies.  

"So, Zion how was your day?" 

 Yena asked as she puts her bag down at the table beside her bed.  

"Nothing much...you know the usual. People still don't talk to me and treat me like I'm invisible." 

Yena snorts. 

"But you are." 

Zion scowled at her before speaking.  

"I'm offended" 

Zion scowled more as Yena laughed at her reactions. 

"Why won't you come with me to class so you won't get bored tomorrow." Yena offered with a smile like she usually does.  

"And what? Scare more of your friends away?” Zion rolled his eyes at Yena before he continued speaking.  

“And besides, I'm fine being here alone.” 

There was a sudden silence in the room. Not awkward kind of silence but rather comfortable silence. 

"Yena" Zion spoke first.  

"Hmm?"  

"You should've left me here" Zion muttered under his breath. 

Yena looked at Zion confused.  

"What are you saying?" 

"What I'm saying is, you shouldn’t have told every couple who want to adopt you that you have an invisible friend that you want to take along with you.” 

Zion paused as Yena just stares at him. 

"That's why they immediately reject you. No one wants something like me." 

Zion said with a sigh but Yena found it amusing and chuckled. 

"Zion, do you see me complaining, whining and crying because every couple rejects me?" 

The boy remained silent.  

" I'm already twenty-one years old. I don't care if I didn't get adopted when I was young." Yena said while taking the books out of her bag. “ 

“We should move on.” She continued. “For a thing like you,” she paused “You are quite emotional, aren't you? She teased and Zion looked at her offended. 

They all sat down with the children together nannies at the dining table. Eating with children, it’s a chaos., Yena wonders if this is what they were like when they were younger.  

“You were well behaved. A little bit naughty but you know when to stop.” The nanny said. Did I say that out load? Yena thought.  

“Meanwhile Bobby,” The nanny shook her head and Yena and the other nannies laughed.  

“Hey I was a very good child. A very cute one too.”  

Bobby showed his toothy grin. Bobby was indeed a good child. Among all the children in the orphanage, He was the friendliest and yes, he was charming. Everyone can see that. The girls and boys from their university, The visitors at the orphanage, and the store owners around the area. When they were young, they would always have free popsicle every time they pass by at that one particular store and yes, it was because of Bobby. The boy has a charming smile and eyes he was very social too.  What Yena does not understand is why was Bobby never adopted despite having those good qualities. She doesn’t ask though.  Even though they joke around like earlier; she knew that there are certain questions that you just don’t ask certain people. She understands, she was one of those people anyway. 

After the dinner, Yena and Bobby went to the orphanages' library and started to work on their home works in peace and silence until Bobby spoke up. 

"Yena don’t you think that it--" 

"I don't have time for your nonsense Bobby." Yena snapped at the boy sitting behind her.  

"I haven't finished my sentence yet." 

Bobby rolls his eyes and Yena just groans. 

“That better be important or else I'm going to end you” Yena said thru gritted teeth as she continues writing her essay that is due this Friday while Bobby continue his interrupted speaking. 

"I was thinking, why are we still here staying at the orphanage when we're already grown adults? I want to try living outside this place Yena and I really think it's time for us to move out.” 

Yena stopped writing for a moment before answering Bobby. 

"I already opened that topic to the nannies but they just won't allow us" 

 there was a short pause before Yena continued speak "I guess they are just worried for us? And hey, we don't have to pay rents as long as we are here" Yena smiles lightly noticing a frown on Bobby’s face.  

"But we are not minors anymore! even though you look like one. You never grew. " Bobby snickered and Yena threw a light punch on his shoulder. 

"But seriously, we are already grownups. We shouldn't be here anymore at this age; we are just another mouth to feed at this orphanage. They should not be spending money to provide for us anymore.  And besides, this place is becoming boring don’t you think" Bobby added to make the conversation lighter. 

Yena chuckles and place a finger in her lips to shush Bobby. 

Yena fell into another silence and thinks. Yes, she was also bored in here and she don't see any point why they're still staying in the orphanage. They are grown adult and can take care of themselves already. 

"Yeah" she nods.  

"Should we convince the nannies more? I'm also bored as hell in here. " 

Bobby's face immediately lit up a at Yena’s answer. 

"Are you for real? You're finally agreeing on something with me?" Bobby stood up and raised his fist dramatically. 

Yena just smiled at her friend and her eyes landed on Zion who has a bitter scowl in his face. 

"Oh, Zion don't worry of course you'll be coming with us! Your 18-year-old self shouldn't be staying here too!" 

Bobby laughs and just nods. 

"Yeah man don't worry 'bout it our good friend Yena here will NEVER leave this place without you." 

Yena just rolled her eyes “Shut up rat! You're so lucky Zion’s not messing with you”  

“Where did you even get that name.” Bobby teased. 

“He told me that was his name dumbass. Maybe if you weren't so stupid, he’ll talk to you too!”  

“Whatever. Just do your homework” 

“I'm almost done. Don’t tell me what to do.”