Maplewood

LITTLE JACK

“I really hate it when we get dropped off in this limousine” Lily, Jack's elder sister, smirked as she scrolled through her I*******m.

Jack raised an eyebrow, turning to his sister, “ Same here, but Dad doesn't care at all. He always insists on it because he likes showing off.”

Lily rolled her eyes and sighed. “Even though it’s super unnecessary. I mean, it’s just school. It’s not like we’re arriving at some fancy event.”

The car finally came to a halt and the driver, dressed in a dark suit, stepped out to open the door for them.

“Have a wonderful day at school,” he said, as they climbed out and made their way into the school building.

Lily quickly skipped ahead and turned to her brother with a mischievous grin. “So, Jack, did you give Vivian the bracelet? Did she like it?”

Jack shrugged, trying to play it cool. “Yeah, I gave it to her. We’re best friends forever now.”

Lily giggled and nudged him playfully. “Best friends forever, huh? Does that mean you’re planning to ask her out on a date soon?”

Jack blushed and tried to brush it off. “We’re just friends, Lily. Besides, she’s really special to me.”

Lily smiled as she looked at her brother. “You two make a great pair. Just remember to be yourself and everything will turn out just right.”

Jack walked into the classroom, eager to see Vivian, but when he scanned the room, her seat was empty. It was very unusual because she was always the first to arrive.

He frowned and then made his way to his seat, hoping she’d just be a few minutes late. But then time passed and there was still no sign of Vivian.

Unable to take it any longer, he walked over to his friend, Tommy, who was busy unpacking his bag. “Hey, Tommy, have you seen Vivian today?”

Tommy shook his head, looking just as puzzled. “Nope, haven’t seen her all morning. That’s weird, she’s usually here before everyone else.”

Jack’s heart sank as he returned to his seat. Something didn’t feel right. “Yeah, it is weird,” he muttered.

As Mrs. Williams began the lesson, Jack struggled to focus, his mind constantly drifting back to Vivian.

He stared at the empty seat beside him. Maybe she’s just sick, he tried to reassure himself, but a gnawing feeling in his gut told him something was wrong.

Please be okay, Vivian… please.

He kept glancing at the door, hoping that Vivian would walk in, flashing him that familiar bright smile. But she didn’t.

Halfway through the lesson, there was a knock on the door. The class turned in unison as Principal Howard stepped into the room.

“Mrs. Williams,” Principal Howard called out, “could I speak to you for a moment, please?”

Mrs. Williams nodded and walked to the door.

The principal whispered something to her, and Jack’s heart skipped a beat.

Something’s wrong, he thought as he stared at them, gripping the edges of his desk tightly.

Mrs. Williams’ demeanor changed instantly, her face grew pale as she listened to the principal.

She glanced back at the class, her eyes briefly meeting Jack’s, before she nodded and stepped out into the hallway with him.

Jack’s heart pounded in his chest, and he couldn’t take it anymore. He had to know what was going on.

He waited until the teacher and the principal were just out of sight, then quietly slipped out of his seat and tiptoed toward the door.

He paused just outside the classroom, straining to hear their conversation.

“She had an accident last night with her parents,” Principal Howard was saying, his voice heavy with concern. “ I’m not sure of their condition, but it doesn’t look good at all.”

Jack felt the air leave his lungs, his vision blurring as he tried to process what he had just heard.

An accident… Vivian…He had feared something was wrong, but this… this was worse than anything he could have imagined.

Tears welled up in his eyes as he leaned against the wall for support.

His legs felt like they were going to give out from under him. Vivian, no… this can’t be happening. His mind flashed back to just yesterday, to her bright smile, to the way she had giggled when they talked.

And now… now she was in the hospital, and he didn’t even know if she was even dead or alive. Jack wiped his eyes quickly, trying to hold back the tears but they kept pouring out.

He couldn’t lose her. Not Vivian. Not his best friend.

Please be okay, Vivian… please, he silently prayed as the tears streamed down his face.

************

THREE WEEKS LATER

LITTLE VIVIAN

The car came to a slow stop outside the tall building, and Vivian peered out of the window with a very heavy heart.

The large sign reading "Maplewood Orphanage" loomed over the entrance, and she felt a sharp sting in her chest as fear gripped her.

The pain she had felt this past few weeks had been so raw and unbearable.

The sudden loss of her parents was something she could never have prepared for. One moment, they were a happy family, and the next, everything had changed.

The accident replayed in her mind over and over. The screech of the tyres, the deafening crash, the silence that followed... and then nothing.

Now, here she was, on the verge of starting a new life in a place that felt nothing like home.

She didn’t know what to expect, but she knew one thing for sure, nothing would ever be the same again. Her parents were gone, and she was left alone.

Tears welled up in her eyes, but she quickly wiped them away, trying to be brave.

Her little hands gripped the bracelet Jack had given her, the last piece of her old life that she could still hold onto.

The car door opened, and she stepped out, her legs trembling as she took in the sight of the building that was about to become her new home.

Vivian took a deep breath and forced herself to walk forward, dragging her bag behind her.

As she entered the compound, she noticed a group of children gathered together, watching her approach, their faces filled with sympathy.

She blinked back tears, determined to stay strong.

In the center of the group stood a stern-looking woman, the matron of the orphanage. She had a no-nonsense demeanor, her arms crossed as she observed Vivian's approach.

"Welcome to Maplewood Orphanage," the matron said, in a cold tone.

"This will be your new home now, and you’ll have to adjust quickly. We have rules here, and we expect everyone to follow them. You mustn’t cause any trouble."

Vivian nodded silently, her grip tightening on her bag.

The matron glanced at one of the older children and gave a nod. "Samuel, take her bag. We share everything here, so your belongings are for everyone."

Samuel stepped forward and yanked the bag from Vivian’s trembling hands.

The weight of those words sank in….

everything she had left of her old life, everything that was hers, would now be shared among the others.

“ You had better adapt to the lifestyle here quickly or face several punishments….Now follow me.” the matron instructed, turning to lead Vivian inside the orphanage.