Chapter 6 Project Partners

THREE STRANGE WORDS

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CHAPTER SIX

Finally the day was over, we escorted the kids back to the orphanage.

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I was able to buy them some take home snacks, thanks to Kristen and the little money I my boss paid me at the grocery store.

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The kids were chit chatting about the fun time they had at the fare.

"no one will tell Astral anything". those words played constantly in my head. what are the sisters hiding from me that they don't want me to know about?

I've never known Mom Theresa to be sick and even if she were, she never hides it from me. something is wrong, maybe the orphanage is loosing money and they don't want me to know about it because they might ask me to leave since I'm the oldest.

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"Astral watch out" Kristen yelled pulling me out from the road. we both fell to the floor. I was lost in my thoughts that I almost got knocked down by a car.

she helped me up while raining curses on the driver.

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"Are you OK?"

I nodded yes

"what were you thinking. you almost died"

"it's nothing"

"we can call the cops on him. this is clearly a hit and run case"

"did I get hit? no so how is a hit and run case?"

"I'm just looking out for you girl"

"I know and thanks"

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we arrived at the orphanage. I had my shower and jumped on my bed. I was about to sleep when I heard a knock on the door.

"come in" I said sitting up. the door flew open and the kids came inside with the three sisters.

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"Mom T, is something wrong?" I asked.

"well the kids wanted to say thank you for a fun weekend"

I smiled as they all ran up to me.

"you're the best" Lizzy said and they all gave me a group hug.

"alright kids. that's enough for now. let Astral have some rest"

they nodded and exited the room. Mom Claire and Martha accompanied them while Theresa stayed behind.

"thank you Astral"

"it's nothing Mom T. they're like my family. although we don't have same blood but, we love each other so much and I don't mind doing any of this for them" I smiled and she hugged me

"I know it costed you much."

I shrugged "yeah it kinda did but I'm not complaining"

"God bless you my child"

"He doesn't exist"

"he does trust me"

"Bien (fine) you win" I said

"I'll leave you to sleep now."

"thanks. I really need it"

she covered me the sheets even though I said I could do it myself. when she was done, she kissed my hair and left the room. I tried to sleep but I couldn't... What are they hiding from me?

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Finally it was Monday morning, I took my bath and wore my clothes. Time to start another week with the boring, spoilt rich kids.

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I went down for breakfast. I saw Kristen playing with the kids.

"Astral's here" they chorused at the same time.

"hi best"

"hi Kristen. morning"

"I thought we could walk to school together"

"no probs"

I sat down to have breakfast. Lizzy and Lisa were arguing about the most ridiculous thing.

"I'll pray that Astral finds her prince Charming"

my eyes flew open

"Yeah me too. she's done so much for us. I want him to be handsome and very rich" Lisa added. I turned to look at Kristen. she was on the verge of laughing but placed her hand on her mouth to prevent her from doing so.

"Whoa whoa whoa kids, I don't need any prince charming"

"of course you do" Eden chipped in.

"guys you should pray that Astral makes a lot of money and not the other way round"

"let them be" Kristen said smirking

"these kids are delusional" I said and they burst out laughing.

"come on let's go to school" Kristen dragged me out of the orphanage.

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I told her about what happened yesterday as we walked to school but she was of the opinion that I was imagining things and trying to make a big deal over nothing so I let it pass.

we arrived at school and got settled in. Carl and his friends joined the class some minutes later. he's not usually this early and he always skips class so why is he here?

He sat down in the front row. which is actually my row. It's for the intelligent people and I wonder why he's sitted here.

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The girls were smiling and squeaking but I didn't pay any attention. Natalie stood up and went to sit down with him. I guess they were friends cause she's head over heels for him.

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our first class was chemistry. Mr Lim. After the long boring talk, we took notes.

"For our next science project. I'll pair you all up. you each get a project partner. you'll have to work on a subject and present it together. it's going to be part of your continuous assessment". he went on and on explaining about it. I was really hoping to get paired up with Kristen.

" so let's get started " He took a book and pen.

"Desmond and Lydia" He said

"Kristen and Carter"

I turned to look at her. she was frowning at the arrangement.

"Natalie and Jason, and lastly Carl and Astral"

"what?" Natalie yelled standing up from her seat.

I walked up to Mr Lim

"um sir, would you please reshuffle the arrangement" I said staring at him

"but why, is there something wrong?"

"yes. everything is wrong"

"don't worry Astral. you'll be fine" he said and walked out of the class. I turned to see Natalie shooting daggers at me from her eyes.

it's not like I wanted any of this. I never wanted to be paired up with him. why does the universe hate me?

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Natalie matched out of the class with her friends. I also walked out and Kristen ran after me.

"Hey chill"

"Chill? I was paired with him." leaned on the wall

"it's not like I loved who I was paired with anyway. it's just a project. just pretend he doesn't exist" she held my hands and we walked inside the class. Natalie marched in. she threw my books on the floor and went to her seat.

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Lunch time

we all went to the cafeteria. I ordered ice cream and sat down with Kristen.

Some minutes later, he walked up to our table.

"Astral right"

"go straight to the point. I believe we all know who we are up until now" I rolled my eyes

"so about the project... "

"let's switch partners cause clearly it's not gonna work. you're not my type of person to work with" I glared at him

"you should be thankful I was chosen to work with you. who do you even think you are. just a girl from the slums begging on the streets and then you try to act all bossy. your low class parents should have taught you some manners. trying to be who you're not"

I felt the tears build up in my eyes. he just insulted my parents. I slapped him hard on the cheeks. the entire cafeteria gasped.

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"you should think twice before insulting my parents. I admit I'm poor but I have my dignity and self respect. in fact this project is over, do your half and I'll do mine. Arrogant Bastard"

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"your low class parents should have taught you some manners... you're just a girl from the slums... trying to be who you're not.... "

his words kept on echoing in my head. no one has ever mentioned my parents to me and he just did. .

Kristen hugged me. only she understands my pain.

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After school, we went to work. I wasn't that focused cause of what happened earlier. Kristen tried to cheer me up.

Carl Jason, you just crossed the line this time...