The New Arrivals
St. Luis’s Orphanage for Unique Boys stood on a large hill, overlooking gloomy pastures. The sun was covered in a thick blanket of fog on this side of the continent, and the clouds were always weeping.
The poor orphanage housed the misfit boys who didn’t belong anywhere. The boys with too much aggression, or were not quite right in the mind. And of course there were the boys who just looked different from what was considered “normal.” St. Luis’s orphanage tried to teach boys to fit in even though they looked or acted strange.
And so that is where I was spending my Friday evening. I was laying on my bed surveying the gale outside through a dirty window. I knew I should be helping the other boys prepare for dinner, but I just didn’t feel like being around their loud voices. They were always complaining about something, or picking fights with one another. I was sick of it. I wished I had just a couple friends who didn’t act like great fuming walruses. I wished there were people who I didn’t have to fake around them. I wanted people who liked me because I was different.
I had only known one person in my whole life who had been like that for me. It was the janitor who used to work at the orphanage. He was the one who had found me and had practically raised me. Unfortunately he died before I had turned ten, leaving me with virtually no one who to talk to.
But today felt different. Like it could go really well or really bad. I wasn’t sure yet, which is why I was in my room avoiding everyone. If it were going to turn out good it would be because I stayed out of it. I always felt like if I tried to make it go well, I would end up messing it up, ruining it for good.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Went the the bell, calling everyone to dinner. I groaned, shutting my eyes. Of course I knew I would have to deal with everyone eventually, but I didn't expect it to be so soon. The bell continued to ring, taunting me. Why do bells have to be so freaking smug! I thought, as I rolled out of bed and onto the cold, stone floor in a unceremonious flop.
I walked down from my dormitory toward the Main Hall where the meals were served, still pondering what his life would be like if I had friends.
When I finally did reach the Main Hall, people were still gathering. I made my way to the end of the table, where little light from the candles shone, trying to draw as little attention as I could before sitting down.
I only had to wait a couple more minutes before the Headmistress called for quiet. "Good evening students. I have a special announcement to make."
I looked up for the first time since entering the hall. The Headmistress rarely made an announcement, and when she did, it was only to welcome new arrivals. The boys around me seemed to recognize it as well, and they sharpened to attention.
The Headmistress, noticing the sudden shift of attention, and plowed on. "We have three new arrivals. I would like you to be kind and make a good impression on these boys. From what I understand they have had a rough life....."
"Obviously, if they're being sent here," whispered a boy next to me.
"..... I wish that you treat them as brothers." The Headmistress finished, sitting back down. With a wave of her hand, two older boys at the back went and opened the doors. Professor Bartley entered, escorting three boys into the hall.
There was a boy who looked a little older than me, and looked close to seven feet tall. He was carrying a boy who looked about one or two years old. And the one that walked beside them had long, unruly hair and a visible hump on his back.
Professor Bartley led them to the front where the Headmistress sat, waiting. Once there, Professor Bartley went and took his seat on the right hand side of the Headmistress.
"What are your name's?" the Headmistress asked, pointing at the tall boy.
"My name is Berry, and this is Penny," the boy said, gesturing to himself and the boy he carried.
"And you?" the Headmistress asked, turning to face the hunchback.
"My name is Jesper," he answered, looking at the ground.
"Welcome Berry, Penny and Jesper. You may sit wherever you like."
They nodded and headed to sit down at the nearest table with an empty seat.
"Now, let the meal be served."
The two doors on either end of the walls opened and boys poured out of it, carrying pots full of soup, plates with bread, and pitchers of nice cold water.
The moment the food was in front of me and the others we attacked it with ruthless savagery. The soup was especially good, with it's many vegetables and meat floating in the thick sauce. We rarely got soup with vegetables in it. How could we? The fog made it really hard to grow anything. It was a rare delicacy, and I continually forgot how well the chefs could cook.
After the food had been devoured, and the dishes had been cleaned, I headed for the dorm. My hands were still moist from washing dishes, and there were specks of soap that I had tried to wash off and failed. I slouched through the halls, dragging my feet in exhaustion. I turned a corner and bumped into a boy.
"Sorry," I mumbled, looking at who I had knocked into. It was one of the new arrivals, the hunchback, Jesper.
"Do you know where I can find the dormitories?" Jesper asked, politely, not looking me in the face.
"Yeah I do. I'm actually headed there now. I can show you the way."
"Thanks."
"No problem," I said, continuing to walk down the hall.
They walked in silence for a couple minutes. I had never known how to start a conversation, and it had always been harder for me to talk to someone my own age for some reason.
However, I felt like I might as well try. Gathering my courage I asked; "What's your name?"
Mentally I slapped himself. The guy had literally told his name in front of the whole orphanage.
Perhaps sensing my mistake, Jesper took pity on him, "I'm Jesper" he said.
"Cool,"
We continued in silence, until I tried making another brave stab at a conversation.
"How are you liking St. Luis?"
Jesper waited a couple seconds before answering. "Honestly I'm not sure. It's better than where I was, I can tell you that. The food is better as well."
"Yeah there's really nothing like St. Luis's famous soup and bread." Did that sound sarcastic I stressed inwardly. I really didn't want Jesper to think I was rude and unfriendly. Luckily their brief conversation was spared as they entered the boys dorm.
I whispered that he could chose any empty bed, before heading to claim my own.
As I lay down I relived my conversation with Jesper. It actually went okay. Considering it was me, it could've gone a lot worse.
Soon I heard snores around me as boys fell asleep, and it wasn't much longer until sleep eventually found me to.....
