Chapter 12

Knock! Knock!!

This was like the sixth time I knocked, but no one answered, maybe this was a sign that I shouldn't be here and just go back "Oh Zoe would you just do the world a favor and shut your crazy thoughts up, why don't you try opening the door, it's an orphanage for goodness gracious sake." I said to my nervous self.

I opened the door, let myself in and closed it behind me without looking back at the door. It was all so quiet, it smelt like disinfectant, germicide and air freshener (lavender) all at once if you know what I mean.

I walked down the hallway who knew an orphanage could be this quiet and this peaceful.

At the end of the hallway by my right was a front desk with a woman behind it. This place needed a lot of getting used to, of course if you don't want to get lost, I mean this place was ginomous who knew an orphanage could be this huge. I thought as I explored the environment with my eyes.

"Hello and welcome to St. Patrick's Orphanage, how may I be of help to you?"

The friendly gesture of this middle aged,hazel eyed oval faced woman who I assumed was a reverend sister due to her appearance, the rosary and prayer book present on her table brought my racing heart from full speed nervousness to mid speed nervousness.

Yes I know I get dramatic at times.

"Am Zoe and a new volunteer from Newark high School."

"Oh the volunteers!" she exclaimed

"my goodness we have been expecting you guys."

"Us guys..." I thought.

She picked a notepad from her desk.

"Alright emmmm" clears her throat "Zoe, Zoe Ackerman right?"

"Yes that's right?"I replied with a bright smile.

"Here, have this form, fill out your details and submit it to Sister Fiona's office." She said pointing to another hallway which I assumed was the direction to Sister Fiona's office.

"Alright, but quick question emmm....emmmm sorry I did not get your name."

" Oh, do forgive me, where are my manners„"she stretched her hands for a hand shake, I did same, she shook my hand a wide smile.

"Am Sister Maya, Maya Sanders but you can call me Sister Maya for short."

"Alright Sister Maya, could you please tell me where exactly Sister Fiona's office is, if you don't mind?"

"Of course I don't mind at all dear, it's the fifth door by your left down the hallway."

I quickly filled out the form on Maya's desk and proceeded to the hallway.

"Thank you so much Sister you have been of great help to me, do have a nice day." I said with a smile.

"You too dear, if you need anything just let me know, am right here" she said warmly.

"Thank you, God bless."

"Bless you too child"

I entered the long hallway, I wondered how many hallways this place had, it had heavy red rugs on the floor, big portraits and numerous door on both walls, with dim lights lined down to the end of the hallway.

I had not reached the first door, but I already felt exhausted, this was going to be a long walk. I took the opportunity to admire the big portraits on the walls as I walked down. I must have been so engrossed, that I did not realized that I had bumped into something, telling how hard and warm, it was someone which I was really starting to think was a human being until I felt a sharp pain in my butt bone. As if that wasn't even bad and painful enough, all the books the person held were all emptied on me on the floor.

"Am so so so sorry miss, I did not see you coming, are u alright miss?" asked the voice who I assumed to be a boy.

"Yes am fine." I said unsure with my eyes closed in pain. I probably had internal bruises.

"Look at me miss"

I opened my eyes to meet fingers held to my face.

"How many fingers am I holding up?"

He asked with concern.

"What are you doing? " I asked as I sat up on the floor and searched my head for any injuries.

" Making sure you are not concussed " He said with a very attractive boyish grin." How many fingers are my holding up"he repeated

"Three"

"That's good at least now I know you are not concussed " He retorted as he stretched for his hands to help me up.

"Am so sorry again, I swear I did not see you coming, hope you did not sustain any injuries." He apologized again.

"It's fine" I said as I stood to my feet" and sorry I messed your books" I continued, gesturing to books still scattered on floor around us.

"It's nothing " he said as he squatted to pack the books up. " Besides, I have not seen you around here before now, are a new voluteer or something "

"Or something " I replied mischievously.

"Oh right" he nodded. " You got me there" he continued and smiled

"Yes you are right, I am a volunteer, I just arrived here and I was actually trying to locate Sister Fiona's office to submit this form when of course, I bumped into you " I said as I picked the remaining books left on the floor.

"Oh, about that, I don't think Sister Fiona is on sit right now, she just stepped out, she went to pray with the kids, she does that every mornings, afternoons and evenings, judging by the time it's 8:57Am she will be back soon, prayer ends by 9, but in the main time, I could show you around emmmm..."

"Zoe, Zoe Ackerman " I replied

"Alright, Nice to meet you Zoe, am Christopher Williams but please, call me Chris. "

"That actually very nice, you and my brother share the same name, I can't wait to tell him this." I said with bright eyes. I could tell that I liked him immediately.

"That's good to hear Zoe, do send my regards." He said smiling. "Now about that tour, why don't you come along, then I could show you where Sister is, am sure she will be glad to see you.

"Alright, but not with that much loads on your hands" I said and took some books off him and added it to the ones I still held.

"Oh thank you Zoe you are such a life saver, wait till you meet Tracey. "

"Who is Tracey?" I asked curiously

"Wait Sister, just you wait" he said, smiled and walked away and I was right behind him, still looking around.

This place wasn't so bad after all, I felt more at ease now that I had made a friend out of Chris. Don't be so dramatic Zoe, you just made one friend and not the entire orphanage Zoe. Who knows if others will like me, who knows if the kids will like me. Would you shut the hell up Zoe, you haven't even met them yet.

Thanks for reading and please don't forget to click on the little star at the bottom of your screen and leave your comments (as positive as possible please) but constructive criticism is allowed.

Tese xoxo 💖💖💝