//------------------------------// // Another Day As a Teenage Orphan // Story: Swan and the Two Worlds // by Phoenix Feather //------------------------------// Kayla woke up covered in sweat. The nightmares of of colored, pastel ponies and monsters were not too rare, but this one was different as it went longer then just the monsters appear in and her waking up. Thankfully her alarm clock spared her the horrors of what happened next. She carefully got out of her bunk bed and tried not to hit her head on the low ceiling of the New York Orphanage. Then she quietly got ready and headed for school. She will soon be 16 and wanted to make friends, so out of determination she raised enough money for the head of the orphanage to allow her to go to a normal high school, and be able to have more freedom since it was highly unlikely she'll be adopted. Before heading to school she stopped by Mrs.Miller's house. Mrs.Miller was an old lady whom Kayla met durning the annual orphanage cookie sale. Instantly the two girls connected and became close, Mrs.Miller wanted to adopt Kayla but once the the adoption committee saw that she had Alzheimers they denied her request, but Kayla still visit her each day and considered her as a mother. the two helped each other, Mrs.Miller was Kayla's main supporter in her attempts to get into school, and Kayla helped her when she the Alzheimers became bad and she started to lose it. "Hello, are you home Mrs.Miller?" Kayla shouted as she entered the house. "I'm in here child." Mrs.Miller called from the living room. Kayla went to her to see an old lady in a light blue night gown, and glasses sitting in a chair staring at a blank screen. "Mrs.Miller what exactly are you doing?" Kayla asked with a confused look on her face. "I'm watching the television and waiting for my husband dear." "Mrs.Miller.... never mind you do that. I have to leave for school but I'll come strait back as soon as it's done." Kayla sighed knowing that correcting her will only make it worse, so she let it be. Kayla always notice Mrs.Miller living in the past, thinking she's at work, waiting on her dead husband, it has even been almost a year since she stopped saying Kayla's name. leaving it behind Kayla kissed the lady's cheek and headed for the door, that was until Mrs.Miller grabbed her arm. "Oh no your not leaving the house looking like that." Mrs.Miller escorted Kayla to her room and set her down next to her vanity. she stared braiding Kayla's long black hair leaving only one strand out. The single pink streak Kayla seemed to be born with. Even though she will lose Mrs.Miller one day Kayla smiled enjoying the moments like this, enjoying that even though she's sick they still have each other. Kayla then headed out to walk 5 blocks to get to her school. Luckily even with the hold up she was able to get to school early. She loved school mainly because of her friends, she had many girlfriends, but no one could replace Zoey, her BFF, Zoey was the only person willing to give the new girl a chance and thanks to her Kayla is now on of the most popular girl at school. "Hey Zo." Kayla waved to her friend as she went up to her locker. "Hey Kay." Zoey ran up to her and gave Kayla a hug, "You ready for Friday." Friday was Kayla's 16th birthday and Zoey planned a girls party with only her closest friends before the big sweet 16 on Saturday. The girls were first going to spend the day at the fair, then they would head to Zoey's place to binge their favorite TV show. Kayla never told anyone outside her friends, but she loves to watch My Little Pony. She can sometimes be very insecure about it though, and has only told her irony friends, and her boyfriend Aiden. Kayla returned the hug to Zoey, "You know I am. This is the first fair I'll be going to, not to mention the only time I've ever spent my birthday away from the orphanage this is going to be so much fun." Since the girls still had forty-five minutes until homeroom they decided to meet the rest of their friends at the cafe across the street for some coffee and doughnuts. At the cafe Kayla noticed all her friends were there, from her boyfriend Aiden to one of her closest friends Hailey. "Happy early birthday Kayla" they all shouted when she entered. "What's all this?" Well in case we can't do this tomorrow on your actual birthday we decided to treat you to an early birthday cup of coffee". Aiden exclaimed while walking up to her and giving her a sweet kiss on the lips, then embraced her with a big hug. "This is so thoughtful thank you all of you." The group of friends enjoyed cups of coffe, doughnuts and laughter that couldn't be replaced or better than anything in the world. Kayla didn't want it to end but school was going to start in 15 minutes and Kayla had to take a test that will help decide her future. As the group head towards school Kayla caught a glimpse of the orphanage and watched as a little girl walked out the doors with two men. Kayla couldn't help but feel sorrow and jealousy every time a child left or her birthday came around it was a painful reminder about how she was unwanted and abandoned by parents who didn't love her and how she was alone for 16 years. She couldn't help but question if she would ever find a family or if her parents felt guilty and wanted their little girl back. The thoughts closed her mind she didn't realized how dazed she was until she walked straight into a flag pole. "OMG Kayla are you alright" Hailey crowded around Kayla like personal space was unexistent. Kayla just brushed it off and continued to walk to the school doors leaving her friends behind. "Shesh what's her problem" Hailey asked only to receive a light slap to the head from Zoey. "Don't you know anything? Birthdays are hard for her. Birthdays are just a painful reminder how she's an orphan and unwanted." "Wait hold the phone! Kayla is an orphan I thought she was just a girl from a different state." Exclaimed Aiden's best friend William. "Man if you weren't my best friend I would not take it lightly to you not knowing my girlfriend." The group let Kayla's behavior go and followed her into school. The day went on like it any other day. When the day was over Kayla waved goodbye to her friend and began her after school routine. She headed over to Mrs.Miller for some tea and idle chit-chat, after a few hours she would head back to her so called home and begin on her homework and chores. Kayla's life was predictable, a few years ago she learned to accept the boring life, and moved on marking down the days to where she will be 18 and freed to make her own choices. "Only two more years then I won't need to worry about a family, I will be able to go to college, have a steady job and raise my own family and I won't make the same mistake my parents did." Kayla sighed as she turned off the lights and started to drift for sleep even though she knew what awaited her. ************* Kayla awoke more calmed then normal the nightmares were rather quiet this time. Shaking her strange dream off she headed downstairs, for a very special breakfast. "Happy Birthday Kayla!" Everyone from the orphanage shouted, well except for the headmistress, she never partakes in anything fun and Kayla's pretty sure she doesn't like her or is tired of her staying for 16 years and having to deal with all of her shenanigans. Either way Kayla didn't mind the fact that everyone came to wish her a happy birthday followed by giving her a big stack of pancakes. The small festivities lasted a few minutes but it felt that as soon as it started. The headmistress secretary came to get her before she left for school. Kayla took a deep breath before knocking on the door. "Come in" "I heard you wanted to talk to me Ms but, not to sound rude, can we make it quick i have school soon and i would like to stop by Mrs. Miller's house before school, it being my birthday and all." "Have a seat Kayla." Kayla took a seat at her desk. "Since the day you were born I had to watch over you. You had many accomplishments and many failures. However if we are being honest you have been the most stubborn, troublesome, most free spirit child i have ever met." "Oh I see." I said disappointingly. "You did't let me finish Kayla. You are also the most kind-hearted, and sweetest girl I have ever met. You are like a daughter to me and I'm honored to be able to watch you grow up." Kayla never thought the headmistress could smile, but sure enough she did, "Kayla, 16 is a very special age, and I'm sure your parents, whoever they are, knew that too, so i have a gift for you." She handed a small pink box. "On the day you came here, in the basket you were in had this box with a note from your parents instructing me to give this to you today. Every child here should have something to remember there parents. you are dismissed, oh and happy birthday, enjoy your weekend with your friends." Kayla did not know what to say. She was on the verge of tears she got up and ran to the headmistress and gave her a big hug. "Thank you for everything." Kayla left the headmistress's office with a big smile. She sadly had to miss seeing Mrs.Miller, but it was a small price to pay for such a wonderful gift. Oh that's right Kayla was too caught up in the moment she forgot to open it. she took out the box and opened it. inside was a beautiful chain with a single pendant that resembles a swan sitting on something that looked like a cloud. She quickly put it on and went to school. The day went on as normal. Except she had her her term paper to do in English, but putting all that aside Kayla couldn't wait to hang out with the girls. After school they all agreed to meet up at the cafe across the street. Kayla rushed over ecstatic and could she her girls in the window. Kayla was a top student, homecoming queen, and was dating the school's valedictorian, so of course she was popular, and as an orphan she considered everyone as her friend. However only a few girls remained her BFF, and not as charity project, or as a way to be popular, but because these girls generally cared about her. So the fact that they wanted to do something this awesome for her sweet 16 brought tears to her eyes. "Zoey, Hailey, Cheyenne, and Eliza, and Lizzie. Whose ready to get this party started." Kayla exclaimed as she entered the cafe. "There's the birthday girl! Give it up for Kayla girls" Eliza shouted as the girls cheered with coffee and doughnuts in their hands. Kayla laughed at their jester and gave them a big hug. As they shared coffee and sweets they headed out for Kayla's best birthday ever. "That's a nice necklace you have Kayla where did you get it?" Zoey asked, but there was something odd with her question. She sounded as if she already knew the answer and was nervous. Kayla however didn't notice. "It was a gift from the headmistress she said it was the last thing I have of my parents." "Well that's nice not very fancy though and how come you're getting it now and not as I don't know. WHEN THEY ABANDON YOU!" Lizzie said, leaving Kayla upset, which follow by recieving a punch from Zoey and a disapproving glare from her. "What gives Lizzie? You know Kayla feels about the word abandon." "It's fine Zoey I may have just got it today but it's the thought that counts." The girls contiuned to walk towards the fair. When they arrived it was beautiful, full of laughter and excitment. The girls rode the Dizzitron five times in a row that when they got off Kayla was so dizzy she accidently ran into someone. "Oh my god I'm sorry I totally didn't see where I was..... ADIAN!" Kayla said as she got a look of the person she ran into. "Hey babe. Did you really think I would miss your birthday did you? Adian said while giving her a big hug. "Well you weren't at school today so I thought you were sick." "You know nothing could keep me from you." "As much as I love this sweet moment, we better get going we came here to have fun." Cheyenne said. The group continued they rode rides, played carnival games, and enjoyed each other's company. They were all sad when it was over, but for the girls the night had just begun. they said good bye, and Kayla and Aiden shared a passionate kiss before saying good bye. Kayla had never seen Zoey's house and she was in awe. it was nice and big and Zoey's room seemed bigger than the whole orphanage. The girls grabbed all sweets and soda they could find and started watching there favorite movies and TV shows. Sadly Kayla was to exhausted and tired and didn't stay up for the rest. However everyone was sleeping or distracted by the TV that they didn't notice Kayla's necklace glowing at the stroke of midnight. ****************** Kayla stayed the rest of the weekend and went to school with her. "Ugghhhh I hate Mondays, Not to mention we have a test today." Zoey said. The girls barely made it to first period and was out a breath as they sat down, but that didn't last as loud stomp were heard throughout the school shakeing everyone. The whole school rushed outside to see what was going on. As the stomps became louder and louder Kayla was terrified as if part of her know what would come. Then came the cause of the rumble, a gaint minotaure like being with a crimsion coat and large horns. The creature started shooting large balls of light that caused mass destruction and people to start panicking. "SWAN!" The creature shouted, "REVEAL YOURSELF!" The whole school started running, Kayla couldn't find any of her friends, but she continued running. "I don't know if anyone can here me but HELP!" Kayla shouted fearing her life as the creature came towards her. Then all of a sudden kayla noticed her necklace was glowing, it shoot a beam of light creating a portal. Kayla didn't know what to do, but she did know it was either go into the creepy magicla portal, going who knows where, or stay here at the monster's mercy. With that in mind Kayla entered the portal and vanished from sight.