Orphanage

As soon as he left the gym, Arthur, as always, began to observe the unique architectural style of the city in which he lived. There were countless semi-detached houses, but with a multitude of colors. In some respects, were similar to Olinda's houses.

Twenty years ago, due to technological advances in the food engineering sector, and also due to human selfishness, there was a population increase of more than two billion in less than five years.

It was an unprecedented case in all of history.

Because of these circumstances, the UN implemented a law in all participating countries that, in their respective states, at least one city close to the capital would be built to contain excess populations.

The city where Arthur is located was named in honor of one of Pernambuco's famous architects, Herbster.

'It could have been a more beautiful name. But it even matched her strangeness. ' Arthur thought, remembering that the city looked like a Spartan helmet, where the crest would be the residential center, while it was connected to a semi-circle, which is where the shopping center and city hall are.

'This city is a little too colorful. It doesn't suit the people who live there. '

Despite all the government's efforts, some of its cities have succumbed to robberies and murders, even having drug cartels.

As Arthur walked, he took a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket and took one. Logically, it wasn't his, but Charles's.

'That idiot still has the courage to take one of those over there. He must have hit his head on the wall when he was a little boy 'Arthur smiled as he put the cigarette in his mouth.

Before he could take the lighter out, a hand pulled the cigarette out of his mouth.

A little alert, Arthur jumped to the side and saw who owned the hand.

"Hello, Patricia. To what do I owe such an honor of being in your company?" He smiled sarcastically as he stared at the cigarette she held in her hand.

"It must be because of your bravery to shut up those idiots" She smiled exuberantly, pretending not to notice the sarcasm.

"I didn't have to be very brave. I'm just not an idiot to listen to all that nonsense without doing anything. At most, I'm just someone without a bit of scruple." He said, shrugging his shoulders, "But then. When do you intend to return my cigarette?" He smiled, a little menacingly.

"As soon as you lend me your lighter," she said, getting very close to Arthur.

Even though his heart was almost out of his chest, he remained calm like never before. Soon his lighter was already in other hands.

After just one drag, she returned the cigarette and lighter to Arthur.

"Aren't you going to finish?" He asked, curious about what had just happened.

"No, thanks. Just to taste it" She winked at him.

'Arthur, please don't lose your composure. It is not because she is beautiful to die that you are forced to lose your manners' He thought, while his back was sweating cold due to nervousness.

"Well, even if it's not that good, it's still a table kiss." He blinked back.

"Hahaha. You are very funny, I like people like that" She approached him, holding his arm, close enough that he could see her breasts moving up and down as they brushed his arm.

"Even though it may seem very rude of me, would you like to go out with me for the New Year?" Even though he tried to hide his despair, he still left a little.

"I think I would love to go out with you." She let out a laugh that made Arthur's heart almost burst, but he still held on, like the man he was.

'Damn, I never got to that part before!' He started to think about the next sentence he should speak, but nothing ever came out.

Seeing his expression, Patricia took the lead.

"Give me your number. When the time comes, I'll call you and we can go to the park together to see the fireworks."

"A-alright, you can write it down there." He spoke his number, trying to hide the stutter in his voice.

After writing it down, she smiled at him and said, "Then we'll see there. See you later. I still have a few things to work out."

"Okay, I'm busy doing nothing all day too" He smiled, almost completely hiding his joy.

Before leaving, she stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek "Bye-bye" She waved before going the other way.

'Damn, I think I fell in love' Arthur almost fell due to his limp legs.

Soon after returning to the orphanage, Arthur went to the reception to report his arrival.

"Can you sign there that I already came back from that useless meeting?" He spoke, in a solemn and sarcastic voice.

"I would say more that you are the pointless of the situation!" The receptionist said, with a tone of contempt and hatred.

"A great day for you too, Edna." Arthur smiled coldly.

"Hunf, idiot!" She grunted.

Before disappearing into the corridors, Arthur presented his middle finger to her.

***

As soon as he arrived at his room, he was greeted with a short hug.

"Big Brother!" A little boy spoke to him, right after the hug.

"Hi, Tom. How are you?" Arthur smiled warmly, with a little brotherly love.

In fact, Thomas was not his blood brother. He had a condition close to Asperger's Syndrome, only more noticeable. Only when he was close to Arthur did he appear more untidy and relaxed. Since he came to the orphanage, he (Arthur) has always been his only friend, and the first person who approached him with no intention of "studying" him.

He was just 13 years old, 1.55 tall and thin. He had a jaw-dropping knowledge of computing. Arthur asked him not to reveal it to anyone, as they could take advantage of it and then dismiss him as if he were nothing.

As soon as he noticed Arthur's black eye and slightly hoarse voice, he started to worry. Looking down and clenching his fists, he said:

"You got into another fight, didn't you?" With a noticeable tone of irritation.

"Ah, you know, It's all in a day's work." Arthur smiled, hitting Thomas on the head to reassure him.

"I'm the sick one here, why do you keep making a fool of yourself and getting into these fights to always get beaten up here? Your bones look older than the aunt in the canteen." Thomas yelled at him in frustration.

"Hey! You are not sick, this is just a condition. Who's the idiot who keeps telling you that?" Arthur spoke with an angry tone.

"Besides everyone else, I can't imagine anyone else." His tone was a joke, but still with a sad feeling.

"So everyone goes to shit. You are an amazing person, don't let anyone keep saying things like you're not there! But don't get into fights. My quota already covers yours a lot" The two laughed a little, the ambience a little more relaxed.

"How was it at the meeting? Have you stopped smoking?" Thomas asked, in an anxious tone.

"Not yet, but I'm gradually reducing it. Like 2 to 1.9 cigarettes a day. And you, what are the new ones?" Arthur asked, taking off his sneakers and lying on the bed.

"I was able to access the orphanage central network and connect with the city's library network. Nothing much. You have access via your cell phone, even though it deserve more of the name 'crap'." He laughed a little, but as soon as he noticed Arthur's astonished face, he stopped.

"Look, I worked very hard to get where I got to. Humiliating my Nokia wasn't funny. It was almost R$ 30.00." He laughed at his own misery, making Thomas laugh a little too "But then, what use would that be?" He asked, holding up the phone.

"In addition to the great but limited knowledge, I can't imagine anything else. You can study here too, or from elsewhere, but you need access to the internet. I know you love reading a lot of books, so consider my gift." He gave a cute smile.

"Although it is far from my birthday, I am very grateful" Arthur gave Thomas a small hug. "But, on YOUR birthday, I will start working again to try to build a computer for you. This library will be very important for this. I just need to wait for the new year to come."

"Speaking of the new year, are you going out tonight?" Thomas asked, with a curious look.

"If I say you don't believe me." Arthur teased, looking at him out of the corner of his eye.

"Go on, saay it!"

"I'm going out with a girl" He pretended to be extremely proud and flirtatious. His performance was terrible.

"Oh. I thought you have won at the Mega Cena." Thomas went back to bed and started to sleep.

'What a bastard.' A frown appeared on Arthur's face.

He stayed in bed browsing the internet until it was time to get ready for the date.