MAMA!!!
A little girl sat quietly by the orphanage gate, her small figure trembling in the cold night.
Her eyes brimmed with unshed tears as she watched her parents' car disappear into the distance.
"Why…?" she whispered weakly.
"Why do I have to be different…? Why can't I just be healthy…?"
"Hey!" a voice called out.
She sniffed, turning slowly.
A girl about her age stood there, looking at her with concern.
"Hi… I'm Adelaide," she said softly.
"What are you doing out here? It's cold."
Willow stared at her quietly, studying her face.
"I'm… Willow," she whispered.
Adelaide smiled warmly. "I'm eight years old."
Willow blinked, surprised.
She wasn't used to people smiling at her… or even talking to her.
Adelaide's smile softened.
"You're new here, aren't you?"
Willow hesitated… then nodded slowly.
Adelaide stepped closer and gently pulled her into a warm hug.
"What happened to your parents?"
Willow pulled away, turning her face aside as her eyes filled with tears again.
Adelaide sighed softly and looked up at the sky.
"The stars are beautiful," she said quietly.
"So are we… no matter what happens."
She paused before continuing.
"My parents died in an accident when I was six. No one wanted me… so I was brought here. I've been here for three years now."
Willow frowned slightly.
"You're not sad?" she asked.
Adelaide gave a small smile.
"I am… very sad. It still hurts. I miss them every day."
Willow lowered her gaze.
"They didn't want me… nobody does. They were the ones who brought me here…"
Adelaide's eyes widened.
"What? Why?"
Willow swallowed.
"I'm sick… I heard the doctor say it's a heart disease. Then yesterday… I heard my dad say I was a liability."
She looked up, confused.
"What does that mean?"
Adelaide froze for a moment before answering gently.
"I heard someone older say it before… I think it means… they feel like you're too much to take care of."
"Oh…" Willow whispered, her voice barely audible.
Adelaide immediately wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"Hey… don't be sad," she said firmly.
"From now on, I'm your friend… and your family."
Willow's eyes widened.
"Really?"
"Yes!" Adelaide replied with a bright smile.
WILLOW
Adelaide and I have been friends for years now.
I call her Adele for short.
She was the first person I spoke to in the orphanage… and the only one who truly stayed.
We're both ten now.
Other kids got adopted over time, one after another, leaving us behind.
I was always afraid…
Afraid that one day, one of us would be chosen, and the other would be left alone.
I didn't want to leave Adelaide…
And she didn't want to leave me either.
But no matter how much we wished to stay together…
When that day finally came—
There was nothing we could do.
Adele was leaving.
In three days.
She had been adopted.
She begged them to give her three days… just to stay with me a little longer.
It hurt so much.
She was my only friend…
The only person I could truly talk to.
"Come on!" Adelaide called, smiling brightly.
"What are you waiting for? Let's take a walk before it gets dark."
I looked at her quietly… my face blank, but my heart aching.
"Willow," she called softly.
"I know you're sad, but we should spend our time together before the day comes. I may not be able to see you again, but no matter where we are, let's promise to look for each other in the future." She smiled gently and extended her hand to me.
I took it, gripping her hand tightly, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't force a smile or laugh. The pain inside me was too real, too heavy.
Adele let out a soft sigh before gently tugging me along with her.
____________________________
The day had finally come—Adele was leaving. I hadn't seen her pack anything; her new family had asked her to leave everything behind. I knew they were rich and influential. Part of me was happy—truly happy—that she was getting the life we had always dreamed of, but another part of me ached knowing she was leaving me behind.
I had been sent on an errand by one of the older women in the orphanage. It took longer than expected, and by the time I returned, Adele was nowhere to be found.
"Adele!" I called, my voice trembling as I searched every corner of the orphanage, panic rising with every empty hallway.
No… she can't be gone yet. I didn't even get to say goodbye…
"Adele!" I called again as I entered the small room we had shared.
"She's gone," a voice said softly.
I spun around to find the old lady who had sent me on the errand staring at me, her face unreadable.
"Wh… what?" I whispered, my chest tightening.
"You heard me. She's gone. Now, come and give me feedback on the errand I sent you," she demanded sharply.
I froze for a moment, my heart breaking. This is your fault, I wanted to scream at her. You knew she would leave while I was gone! You didn't let me see her. You didn't let me say goodbye!
Tears streamed down my cheeks as I shouted, "It's your fault!"
"Wipe those tears and pray. And don't forget to ask why you haven't been adopted yet in your prayers," she snapped. "Now come and give me the feedback!"
I lowered my head and quietly followed her, my heart heavy with loss.