CHAPTER TWO- Too Nice

Gosh the words still rang like bells in the air, I really doubted that clause- Too Nice as my mom had thought me to have a kind heart that would never hesitate to help a fellow in need, but now my friends had nicknamed it 'Too nice'. seriously, I haven't thought a day would come when someone ridiculed my kindness, but looking back I could understand why. Since I could remember people have taken me as an attraction stuck of handing out, but do they really think I'm a fool for helping them.

'Liam it's not what your thinking', sweet Cecil tried to stop my contemplation, but stupid me was a bit too curious to hear more about me. My eyes went to Justin- a typical character that hides nothing from the crowd or people around.

'Don't stare at me, take a walk around the park and think about your life, maybe even get some cheese wacks to sulk on'

'Justin!!'

Cecil tried to apprehend him but I stopped him, as even I knew deep down his response would hurt. Standing I made to take my leave.

'Liam?'

'Don't worry, I'll walk it off'

With that I left the room limping, all the way out my mind was beating heat on what he said. He couldn't have been so right- right? I'm not gullible- Am I? Am I too nice I'm taken advantage of- possibly?

Now on a bench out in the pack a cheese wack in my hand I was totally bumped out when girlish giggles intrigued me, by the side was a girl- A little girl playing with butterflies. Her clothes were dirty and unkept, patched all over and worn out, yet her smile seemed to have added brightness to the world, warming my heart. Looking at her she was a perfect picture of my feeling; good looks with smiling face on then untidy on the outside; a sad face washed over me.

'Hey!'

The sudden shout cut me off as my eyes steadied on the environment, that was when my eyes caught sight of the young girl and a boy, the boy had with him a bracelet, he looked older and much more organized as he stood stretched out high with the bracelet, keeping it away from the girl.

'Give it back', she yelled, jumping to get it

'Nah- huh, *snickers* you don't deserve this you disgusting thing, I don't, with that he pushed her down and she fell on her butt, letting out whimpering tears. I'd had enough.

'Hey you!!'

The kid got spooked when I yelled out and ran away, the little whom had been assaulted came to me in tears. It melted me seeing streams of tears roll down her cheeks.

'Sir- he-he-he took my mother's bracelet- the only thing I have of hers'

Guilt hit me like a punch as I felt sick, why would he do that? How could he be so heartless? The boy would have gone far so there was no guarantee I could still catch up, it made these weird bad roots sprout in my guts- the kind that happens when you feel sick to the bones or really anxious about something. I couldn't help her get her bracelet and man it hurt.

'Sorry kid, we might have lost him', her eyes grew big with loss as its wood brown made shakey winter gibbies, my heart sank, I couldn't leave her with nothing, she looked homeless and totally out of luck.

'How about I take you out for lunch?'

'Really, thank you. I haven't had breakfast as there was no food in the orphanage, I came out so that I could get some air- probably forget about it'

'Orphanage? The boy that harmed you is he from the orphanage too?'

'No, just a mean boy'

Silence engulfed us, taking the cheese wack that was barely eaten I gave it to her.

'Makes for a breakfast'

Her eyes ignited.

'Thank you'

'Here seat with me'

The girl sat down, eating up the cheese wack in delight, she looked angelic as she chopped down the wack as innocent as ever, looking at her I notice in me a chance of expression as happiness grew in me, transforming the bad sprouts into wonderful fruit bearing sterms. It made me happy seeing others happy, maybe that's why I love showing kind gesture to people. Maybe that's why they think I'm a fool, perhaps it's the reason they see me as gullible or too nice. It didn't matter. People like this little girl needs me and I want to help them, from now on she'll be my top priority, to show goodness to people and brighten their dark path.

'You know what kid, I'm taking you to any restaurant of your choice, you're welcome to order anything you wish, I'll pay for it'

Goodness she gasped then in a whisk of excitement hugged me, taking me off the bench she led me to a tackle restaurant down the street called Fryer Willy's. From its condition It wasn't popular but it was filled and she loved it. She got us settled and all the way people stared at me- of course being a famous person whom was being dragged by a little girl into a tackie restaurant was rare but I still wanted her best. We sat down and all the staff came running to us.

'Master Brates- master Brates- what would you like to order?'

'Oh, ask her. For me please make sure this doesn't get out'

They scrambled, leaving one whose ought to be chef to take down the girl's orders. It didn't take a sec and they served us. The people around had been told not to take photos or any media vices that would leak the information, surprisingly they adhered to it although whispers still went around like wind.

The little girl started eating but I couldn't because of how it appeared in my eyes, so I let her finish up.

'Sir why you not eating?'

'I- don't feel like'

'Sir it's very tasty and good, try it. I know your use to your fancy dishes but these simple ones explode taste buds'

'Fancy dishes?'

'Yes, you're an influencer right? People couldn't stop staring when we were walking so you must have value. Please sir try it, it's your money you should at least get a taste of the food'

'Little girl'

'Mai'

'Mai?'

'My name is Mai'

'Ok, Mai, to be honest I'm not hungry I'll just take water'

Immediately the chef came running with a bottle of water, almost tripping as he came to us.

'One bottle of water'

'Thank you', like wind he vanished again and I turned to Mai.

'So, where do you live?'

'In an orphanage that's located in a recruited isolated area. The place's far from here as I strolled a long way to get here running away from that boy. He's from the same street and love torturing kids from the orphanage- his name's Charlie and ever since I was 4 recruited into the orphanage his been my worst nightmare'

'That's terrible. Doesn't the matron know?'

'No'

'Why not?'

'The lady's old and we really won't like to disturb her'

It went cold silence; staring at her I believed she was just scared, all the matrons I've watched on TV and it news were normally heartless, so maybe they were afraid of talking to her.

'Precise of Nature had been my hone home since four years old, I was brought in by a lady who the matron terms wasn't my mother, and the bracelet the boy took was from the woman, she said it was from my father. It was very precious'

Her mood dampened completing the sentence and I couldn't shake off the glummy feeling that tied my insides to knots.

'I really just want a nice family to be with, that would love me and I'd love them back'

Those words were like a knife that stabbed my gut with full force, staring she had a smile, it brought back that sickening feeling that was so bad it felt like forks pierced me and I was about to die. The waiter popped with the Bill's which I kinda hesitated to pay, deep down I got what she was going through and I couldn't help but wonder if I hadn't been so blessed, what the world would throw and so many other things.

'You know the world's just filled with surprises, more often than never things pop up and it's beyond our control to stop it'

'I know', she gave a response fiddling with the hem of her cloth.

'Yet, if I did have the power to reunite my family I will, people call me bastard Mai because I don't have an actual family', through her breaking voice of tears the words squeezed out, tighten my heart that wanted to squeeze the life out of me as I felt numb and so very sorry.

'Mai, it's ok. No one will call you that again, I'm now your friend, I'll protect you', my hand found hers and it intertwined, a tear fell on it making my heart shatter. In all these the waiter caught my attention so I gave him a couple of bucks. When he left my eyes caught something behind Mai; long mari gold blonde wavy hair that's tied into a ponytail that flowed, soft warm sun ray morning skin, a model yet straight body. Where have I seen this before? Then she turned- Tangerine orange eyes piercing the air- SUSSIE. I held my breath, what was she doing here? I watched as she stood up and left in anger. Sussie has never really seemed to be happy as every encounter was hell, but I couldn't yet miss the wicked grin shared by the girls that were on her table. Turning back my attention to Mai it looked like she had gotten over her emotions, I decided to wait it out so Sussie could head far before we came out. We ended up waiting until the late noons.Mai was so happy when we came out, jumping and skipping around. Staring at her the happiness bloomed in me, she really had fun and best still she didn't expect it, like I didn't expect it. Honestly I don't care what they say I have a lot of happiness making others happy, and the world need joy so what if they think I'm gullible or too nice, perhaps even a fool, at least if I was able to set a smile I've done what I have to do. She led me to her orphanage since I instead on taking her home, it was the early nights when we arrived as it was already dark, but not too dark and the stars and moon weren't out. As we stopped an old lady around late 70's to 80's came running to us as she sprang from her rocking chair, coming close she hugged Mai so dearly close.

'Oh my oh my, Mai where were you? Thanks for finding her and bringing her home'

'Um- sure'

'I hope she wasn't trouble'

'No not at all'

They dispatched and Mai moved to me, holding my hand she introduced me.

'Mrs, this is my new friend- uh'

'Liam', I completed it for her as she came to a halt. My eyes caught the building and I couldn't help judge it; Normally when we were coming I did imagine a small house up to bungalow size but this house was so much smaller. It was tinier too as the house from my view looked like that of a pet, how many people lived here. It was also old and falling apart, the colors had all turned dirty, the irons all rusty, it was- twitchy looking in the eyes. As I inspected it an old shaking voice spoke out.

'Would you like something- As a token for finding her', the old lady's voice filled with harmony flowed through the air.

'No I won't like anything', my eyes averted to the house.

'But I would like to give something'.

Taking out my wallet I took out a card giving it to her, she looked confused so I guessed she didn't know what it was.

'Ma'am this is a black ex-boss credit card, with minimum spending. I want you to have this so at least you can take care of yourself and everyone here. There's more than 6.500 billion in here so use it well'

Immediately her jaw dropped.

'Sir, we- can't take this'

'The name's Liam, and I insist. It will be good for you'

She was awe- struck, her jaw hung on the air, mai gave me a hug right then thanking me, seeing her smile made me smile.

'Mr Liam you have to come in and see the rest, my friends would be so happy if they saw you'

'Mai I have to get home, my parents might be worried'

'Oh please, please, please', she tried to coax me with her adorable eyes.

'Fine. But I'll go right after'

Taking my hand so hastily she dragged me off into the house. Once we came in the whole kids who guessingly might be around 6-9 stopped what they were doing to stare at me before they ran up to mai. Chattingly they welcomed her in a warm family hug, it warmed me to see them close.

'Children, children, enough with the noise', the matron came in, into which they heeded her words.

'Kids, this young man here is Mr Liam, he helped Mai get back home; not to mention the donation he gave to us'

The whole room lit with excitement as they cheered, when it cooled down a boy in the crowd requested.

'Mr, stay with us. It's normally really boring with no one around'