Three Strange Words

THREE STRANGE WORDS

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CHAPTER ONE

who said life was easy? who said it was bearable?

who once told you that dreams do come true?

who told you that you can make magic if you try?

who fucking told you to follow your heart?

All lies

life was fucking unbearable.

Only the rich kids could say life was easy... but us, we don't even have hope. tomorrow is just a mystery. the rich could predict theirs but we can't.

we just have to believe that all would be fine someday even when we know that deep down, nothing will be fine.

nothing can be fixed.

we can't change the situation around us so we just gotta live life as it presents inside.

no fucking prince Charming is gonna marry Cinderella anymore. Princes now are losers. Fucking arrogant bastards.

Cinderella's gotta work her butt off to make ends meet.

we're orphans so what do we expect to gain from a selfish world?

A world that rendered us helpless, with no hope.

Our parents are gone and we're stuck in an orphanage not knowing where our fate may lead us. sometimes we may get adopted and sometimes we smell like poop to the adoptees.

Fuck life!

fuck fairytales

Fuck dreams

they don't exist to me.

we just hear about them but trust me they're far from me... from us...

in school they look at us with disdain, like we don't fit in. we're like servants living with the rich... bummer huh...

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.

. I slipped from my bed into the bathroom, took my shower, and wore my uniform. A short flare skirt and a Long-sleeved shirt. I tied my hair into a ponytail and headed downstairs.

I applied for a scholarship in a prestigious high school and I passed. I got in some weeks ago. I'm kinda like the new blood. Mother Theresa and Claire helped me with the internship and now I'm on full scholarship. though I may be poor, haven't you heard, there's no destiny. you gotta create them and I am.

I saw mother Claire walking to the administration office. it looks like a new family is about to adopt someone.

Do you think it's gonna be me? not a chance. who wants to adopt a seventeen years old girl. I'm just here cause I have nowhere else to go. Mother Martha Said I've been here since I was a baby, but no family's ever come for me, took one glance at me and said "she's not the one" so I lived by that. like I care anyway.

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. I Sat down to have breakfast. It was pancakes with creme. We don't eat whatever we want around here. just be lucky they even serve scones for breakfast.

"Astral" mom Theresa called. she wore her gown. hair tied up as usual

"Yes, mom Theresa. Comó estas" I greeted in Spanish which means How are you. I speak Spanish as well although I don't know how I learned it.

"very fine my child" she touched my hair

"When will you be back from school today"

"I don't know. maybe by seven." I replied munching on the pancakes. I also do some shifts and part-time jobs after school so I can save up for college.

"you're still working?"

"I have to Mom T. it's the only way I get to go to college"

"you know you're not supposed to work. what if the children's department comes here for a check-up and finds out that you're working?" she sighed

"they won't stop me cause I'm doing it of my own free will. it's not like you're forcing me"

"I'm so sorry child, that we couldn't find a suitable family for your adoption," she said holding my hands

"it's not your fault. it just wasn't meant to be"

I squeezed hers gently

"I believe all will work out"

"that's the prayer for lazy people. I'm gonna make things work out and finally support this orphanage. it's not just an orphanage to me but my home as well" she kissed my hair

"I'll pray that all your dreams come true," she said before leaving.

I ate the last crumb. I was about to carry my plates when someone held my hand. I turned to see Lizzy and Lisa smiling gleefully.

"we'll help you with that" Lizzy said grabbing the plates from my hands. I smiled and touched her hair. Lizzy and Lisa are twins that came to the orphanage when they were only three months old. Mom Theresa found them lying in the market stalls one morning she went to buy foodstuffs.

she brought them home and we raised them together. we formed quite a bond as they grew up.

"thank you too" I said smiling

"You should go now. you're running late" Lisa urged.

"I know"

"promise to bring us burgers after your shift in the restaurant" her eyes shone brightly

"I will and promise not to give Mom Theresa any trouble while I'm away," I asked

"we will" they giggled

"I pray you to finish your studies so we could eat good food every day."

"and wear good clothes," Eden said interrupting

Eden was handicapped so he uses crutches. That's the type of people that stay here so where's the hope for us?

"I know we can count on you" he smiled

"hmm and we can play pillow fights with Josh... where's Josh?" I asked and they all hang their heads sadly

"He's getting adopted" Lizzy finally said

"the new family in the administration room are completing the formalities," Eden said

"don't be sad guys. he'll finally have a family to love him"

"But we'll miss him" they all teared up and before I knew it. they were crying. we were like a family here. all thinking about the outside world together. I bent down and hugged them.

"don't worry. we'll go to the fair this Saturday. how about that?" I asked and their faces brightened up a bit

"Are you sure?"

"yes. I'll get paid today so yes" they squealed in joy

"We love you Astral" they hugged me

"and I'm gonna be late for school" I pulled away and they laughed.

I grabbed my bag and headed out

"bye Astral" they yelled

"bye guys" I yelled back

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. I arrived at school and walked inside. I was careful not to get in the way of anyone until my bestie approached me

"morning"

"morning" I greeted

Kristen was the only friend I managed to make here in school cause just like me, she also has similar problems. she lives with her stepmom. her dad works abroad so he rarely comes home and because of that, her mother treats her like a maid. she even has to work even though her father sends her money every month. what a witch!

.

. we walked from the gate to class holding hands and talking about random stuff when suddenly a black range Rover drove so fast and splashed mud on my face and covered my entire uniform in mud.

He parked the car and the door flew open. a tall handsome guy stepped down.

Carl Jason, I should've known

Girls were all drooling and squeaking. he took one glance at me, scoffed and walked inside without saying anything. not even a simple sorry.

Kristen helped me into the washroom. this is how poor kids are treated over here. like garbage. the world is selfish. and so are the people in it. Damn it!

THREE STRANGE WORDS

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CHAPTER TWO

"Are you done?" I asked Kristen who was removing the mud from my hair. we stood in the washroom. in front of the mirror.

"yeah almost" she turned my hair to see if there's another place infested with mud "why didn't you say anything when he did that?"

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"oh, Kristen. you and I know that no matter what you say, those rich kids will never change." I sighed looking at my messed hair and uniform in the mirror

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"those spoilt bastards. I mean who splashes mud on a girl and doesn't say sorry" she shook her head in regret

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"Two words. Carl Jason"

"fuck the son of a bitch" she half yelled "one day we're gonna hit it big and make him run for his money"

"sure hope it happens cause I'm tired of life. I'm wondering what it would be like to let go" my head hanged in disapproval as the sad memories kept flooding through my head.

"it'll be fine. great now we've missed the first period of biology" she said as she glanced through her watch

"you should probably go."

"and what will you do here," he asked hands on her hips

"well my uniforms are a mess. I can't walk around school in this" I pointed at them

"that's why you should always have a backup" she opened her bag and brought out a pair

"wow... you sure know how to back things up. you're a lifesaver" I said pulling my other uniform and then wearing the one given to me by Kristen.

"I'll wash these when I get home" I smiled "thanks Kristen," I said stuffing the dirty uniform in my bag.

"not a problem. let's go"

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we walked hand in hand into class. Luckily the biology teacher hasn't shown up yet so I sat down. Kristen is next to me. I flipped through some notes until he finally showed up.

"Morning Mr. Dave" they greeted. I didn't and he didn't care.

"so I'm afraid last week's test gave most of you quite the scare I must say.... "

the class went dead silent

"but at least someone managed to get an A."

he walked in front of me and placed my script on my table

"congrats Astral"

I looked at it. I scored a 100. I turned to look at Kristen. she gave me a thumbs up while the other students glared at me, shooting me with angry stares. as if I cared away. they were rich spoilt brats so what did you expect?

.

. FINALLY class was over. I walked out with Kristen when I saw Natalie Chang. she doesn't talk to me so why is she blocking my path.

I hissed and tried to walk away but she blocked me, in the process, my hand accidentally touched hers

"Eew gross" she made disgusting faces. "how dare you to touch me with your disease infested hands"

"careful girls. she might get you sick"

I rolled my eyes. no need to say anything cause I've seen worse

"Natalie I don't have time for your BB drama so you might wanna move or... "

"or what"

I half smiled, held her by her collar, and pushed her aside

"yeah that just happened. next time, try picking on someone your size or half your character got it" I sneered. she threw me a deadly stare but I ignored it and walked away.

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. "you rock girl" Kristen smiled as we walked away.

After the learning session was over, we hit the cafeteria. I didn't have enough money on me so I just got myself an ice cream cone and so did Kristen.

we were about to leave when we bumped into the Daredevil Carl. I didn't say anything. I was about to leave when he held my hand. all eyes were on us by now as everyone gasped.

"Hey you. you seem familiar. what's your name?"

I didn't respond. I just walked out on him. Everyone was murmuring. mumbling one thing or the other but I didn't care.

I heard someone whisper "she didn't respond. what ego. she's so mysterious"

what do they even know about me?.

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. I took my bag and headed straight to work with Kristen. she also does part-time jobs and we're working at the same place as well.

"that guy has got no manners. after splashing you mud he has the right to say, what's your name" she scoffed

"some nerves" I said under my breath

"I loved the way you walked out on him"

"I wasn't gonna make small talk with him was i"

she shook her head no.

"you're a brave girl. you stood up to Natalie and Carl in just one day. not everyone could do that"

"to survive in this world, you gotta be brave"

"I wish I was like you" she sighed and we kept on working. we were about to enter the stall when someone grabbed Kristen from behind and pushed her to the floor.

I rushed to Kristen to help her up. she hurt her arm and was bleeding already.

I looked up and saw her stepbrother Darius staring intently at us.

He grabbed Kristen's bag and she rushed to struggle with him.

"where's the money?" he asked. his eyes were all red. looks like he's been drinking again

"I don't have any money on me and why should I give you money if all you're gonna do is send them on drinks and cigarettes" she yelled at him

he slapped her hard on the cheeks "you're working for us. if it wasn't for me and mom then you probably won't have a place to call home"

"that house belongs to my father so you can't kick me out"

he wanted to hit her again but I held his hand and yanked it off

"so you want to kill her? didn't you just hear what she said? or are you that dumb that you don't what she's talking about" I said to him. I was getting angrier by the minute.

"oh wow so you now have a warrior on your side now Kristen," he said to Kristen and she held on to me tight

"don't let him hurt me Astral" she whimpered, sobbing behind my back as her grip tightened.

"can't you see you're making her scared? what kind of brother are you?"

"shut the fuck up" he snarled

"you don't scare me one little bit. save the empty threats for those that need it" I said looking straight into his eyes

He wanted to hit me but hesitated

"I'll get you later Kristen," he said and walked away.

I turned and she hugged me.

"shh it's gonna be alright. he's gone now" I patted her back softly

"he does that every time. I do all the hard work and he takes the money" she sniffed. I cupped her face in my hand

"you gotta learn to stand up to yourself. believe me, this world is a dangerous place for naive people"

I helped her hang her bag on her shoulder.

"Thanks for helping me girl"

"it's nothing"

we walked to the Grocery store to start our shift...

we changed into our uniforms for work...

Kristen is not just a friend but my sister and I just can't stand seeing her hurt... this world is really selfish...

THREE STRANGE WORDS

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CHAPTER THREE

Vegetables check✔

milk check✔

Mayonnaise check✔

Eggs check✔

peanut butter check✔

"Astral check" Kristen said as she pulled the note from my hands.

I was making a list of things that have been deposited in the shop so I can give it to my boss and here she was mocking me.

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. "give me the note back Kristen," I said, both hands on my hips.

"you really don't wanna take a break. you've been working for hours now. you're not gonna make all the money in the world by stressing yourself out like this" she asked feeling concerned.

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"I know but I'll try"

she gave the note back to me

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"I'm serious Astral. you know that After this, you still have your shift at the restaurant."

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"I'm fine trust me. I'm healthy and strong aren't i" I smiled

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"yeah you are but I'm only looking out for you. you don't even have time for yourself anymore. I mean even Cinderella rests for a minute or two" she rolled her eyes. I raised a brow at her and shook my head smiling

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"Yeah, Cinderella's got prince Charming. do you see Astral getting any prince before we talk of charming"

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"Just imagine. you could be Cinderella and your prince could be on his way. you'll never know. you might meet him in an unexpected place and fall in love" she said. I looked at her and she winked at me.

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"I've told you to stop daydreaming about silly things Kristen" I moved to the next stall.

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"I'll never stop dreaming hun. it's part of life" she said sitting down on one of the chairs

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"OK go on but I'm a suck-up for Cinderella." I arranged more foodstuff on the shelves.

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"But how do you handle all of this and still not get tired. I'd be a total mess by now if I were you"

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"I'm determined to make things work out Kristen. trust me it's harder than it looks. here let's eat" I took two packets of sausage rolls and milk

"don't worry it is on me" I smiled. I noticed the disapproval on her face.

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"Thanks dear," she said. I sat down next to her and opened my milk.

"one day I'll sit down in a rich restaurant and order many of these".

" and I'll be right next to you ready to eat them " we giggled

"you know being poor sometimes is a good thing," I said and she threw me a stare.

"how? care to explain"

"I mean we don't wear good clothes and eat good food but we're happy by every slightest thing unlike being rich and having problems" I took a bite out of the sausage roll.

"but imagine all the things you could do if you had money. you buy a house, have good food, wear good clothes and also help out with the orphanage. that's your dream right" she said and I smiled. now I know I have a dream.

"Cheers to all the money in the future" she chuckled raising her packet of milk. we hit each other playfully and laughed.

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My shift finally ended and I went to work at the restaurant. After much shouting and yelling by customers for food and running here and there for orders. finally it was 6:30 pm. I ordered some leftover burgers for the kids in the orphanage. well they're not leftovers but just untouched food by some of my customers so I wrapped it up.

I was paid half my salary from ma'am Collette. Even though I told her it wasn't enough, she refused to complete it. Although I was the best waiter in her restaurant and customers have been drooling around the restaurant Because of me and because of that she makes hundred times my salary but she just chose to be wicked.

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. I took my payment and left the restaurant. Kristen works across my shop in a chocolate shop and we closed at the same time. I waited for her and she came out when she was done.

"we're finally done for the day" she stretched her arms. I didn't respond. I was feeling down with what ma'am Collette did.

she gave me a playful shove on the arm.

"what's the wrong girl?"

"ma'am Collette didn't complete my payment."

"Why did she do that?"

"I don't know. probably wants to show that she's the boss and I'm the maid"

"sorry girl"

"it's alright. so hope you got your pay"

"yeah, I did. I just stepmom doesn't steal all of it. that wretched old hag" she said and we laughed.

I arrived at the orphanage before Kristen left for home. her house is just some meters far from mine. after bidding her farewell, I got inside the orphanage.

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. I went to my room and undressed from my uniform. I washed both mine and Kristen's as well. after I hanged them on the line, I went in to have my shower.

After having my bath, I came out and wore my clothes. I don't apply lotion cause I can't afford it but I had glowing skin that one wouldn't notice.

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. I wore a pair of short blue faded jeans and a singlet. then tied my hair in q messy bun.

I went to sit down outside on the grass when Mother Claire walked up to me.

"wow, the child you're back. how was it?"

"it was fine so how is Josh?"

"he's gone already. the new family couldn't wait to take him home"

"no wonder this place is quiet. Josh wouldn't do something silly by now" I felt the tears build up "I can't believe he's gone"

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"don't feel sad. we all know that one day everyone would go including Lizzy and Lisa" my eyes flew open at the mention of their names. I have formed such a bond that It would crush me if they left.

"do they have to?"

"Somehow if the right family comes for them. they're good kids"

I hang my head in sadness.

"you know what I do when I miss someone that may never come back?" she asked and I nodded no.

"I surround myself with the people I love around me. Josh may be gone but you still have a family. make every minute count" she said and I smiled. she kissed my hair and just then They all ran to me.

"Astral....!!!! " they yelled as they hugged me

"I've missed you little nuggets so much" I kissed their hair

"so what did you get for us?" Eden asked

"well... " I took a pause and stared at their excited faces. "I got you burgers and fries"

"Yay... hurray" they all chorused. they sat down on the grass with me and I brought the bag containing the burgers and gave each of them.

"thanks, Astral"

"we'll always be good kids so that we'll get lots of these" she giggled.

"very good" I smiled

"so are we going to the fare this Saturday?" Lisa asked

"as promised" I responded and they giggled

"come on Astral, tell us a story about what happened today" Lizzy requested and before I knew it they all gathered on the grass. Mom Claire smiled and walked inside.

"OK my story is Goldilocks y Los tres osos (Goldilocks and the three bears) I said in Spanish and they nodded.

" Erase Una Vez (once upon a time...)" I continued and they all listened attentively...

Mom Claire was right, even though it's only a short time before I say goodbye to these faces, they're my family, the people I love..... so I'm never alone.....