With cuffed hands, I entered the juvenile hall. Everything was gray. From the walls, iron bars, and uniforms the staff wore. Everyone's staring eyes were gray, even.
"Thomas, you don't belong here. You were supposed to be at your new home forever, remember?" I mutter to myself while scrutinizing my new surroundings.
"Cell time, maggot!" yelled the police officer who brought me here. This middle aged man had a build as thin and white as his cigarette. Oddly enough, his head was topped with smoky brown hair.
To make matters worse, the man's hatred was evident; as he shoved me into a darkened room.
"Can you provide the specifications for this group of delinquents?" The man asked his fellow correctional records technician. Who then said.
"Grayson, a white fourteen-year-old, is on his second offense. Well, look at that! He robbed a liquor store. Quit creeping around where you don't belong, or else you won't get any more candy from Mommy."
"Tsk, one can detect the sarcasm from a mile away."
I said to myself while the constables investigated a folder of portfolios.
"Boring, who's next?" The long search disengaged the officer's amusement, as it would anyone's.
"D-d-de- grrrr! I can't pronounce his name!"
The technician then crumpled and threw the stack of paper onto the ground.
"From the looks of him, he's just another measly ruffian, who's got no business existing!" The thin officer said, as he de-rumbled, and deciphered the discarded profile.
The hair on the back of my neck shot straight up. "What gives you the right!?" I say in response to the lack of respect in these adults' words. Being separated by five cells didn't stop those fellows from knowing I had made that outburst.
"Eh, you hear that? The unseasoned kid has an announcement!"
"What are you bugging about, tech man? Oh, him!"
Our eyes meet.
"Hah!" Both males' disdain for us juvenile convicts reached a new level.
"Thomas Bax. British squirt, silver hair, age 16. Here's the good stuff; he's been charged with…HOMICIDE!"
"YOU'RE WRONG!" I shout to defend myself from the record technician's blatant lie. Unfortunately, that wouldn't keep his mouth shut.
"Stop the rattling, child. From the looks of the rest of your records, although this is your first offense; there're no friends or family listed who'll bail you out, either!"
- - - -
"That stopped him, officer." My sudden silence caused the workmates to think they had just won a game.
"That's absolutely right, techie. Looks like you'll rot in here with the rest of the brats, Tom-tom!" His words resembled dangerous fumes, every utterance from the officer's mouth. As if gasping for air, I say in reply.
"Don't compare me to the rest of these juveniles!"
Their hatred affected me. Still, this isn't right..
"That's it! Let's cut off the lights early tonight. These kids need a timeout before they cause me to-"
"Yeah, yeah, I gotcha. We don't want the correctional officer doing anything that'll cause him to be suspended, now, do we? Alright, kids, you heard the man. Lights Out! Your new life starts tomorrow!"
As the correctional technician shut the lights off in the Juvenile Detention Center; my blood was boiling. None of this was right. I'm being punished for wanting to stay with my orphanage family, while these supposed honorable adults get away with treating people like garbage. Truly faux, indeed. This cold, dull place was far from the warmth I grew so used to, back at my beloved orphanage.
8 years ago
"Thom …. time… get up!" A familiar voice wakes me from my deep sleep.
"Yawn. Is- is it roller derby time, mate?"
"Haha, no dude, it's time to g-g-get up. You must have h-had a crazy dream again, huh?"
"I - I guess so, Clarence."
I mumble to my friend as I struggle to make sense of his choppy words. He may stutter a lot, but Clarence is a sociable, agreeable, simple boy. Although, I can't always look at him when he talks. His bland black eyes betray his bright blonde hair and spontaneous nature, which always seems to make me laugh.
"L-le-let's make our b-beds afore La-lady Ortiz gets here!" Clarence says.
"Oh yeah! It's Golden Star Friday, innit?"
Those words are more than enough motivation for me to get myself moving. As I quickly tuck in my sheets before…
Footsteps echo down the hallway leading to our bedroom.
"Buenos dias, children!" She's here, the magnificent..
"Good morning, Lady Ortiz!"
All the children exclaim in unison; as if we were all awake for 4 hours rather than 4 minutes. Who can blame us though? Golden Star Friday is one of the most awaited phrases we orphan, at Ortiz Golden Orphange look forward to.
Every Friday, Lady Ortiz rewards the 3 kids who had received the most stars throughout the week with the Golden Star; that allows them to have a weekend free from chores. That's considered paradise because of all the homework and orphanage duties we have on weekdays! Oddly enough; not having a clean bed when lady Ortiz arrives could disqualify you, immediately. Makes no difference to me though; I'm only after one thing.
"You know what today is, right, kiddos?" Lady Ortiz generously asks as she digs into her apron. Now, don't get me wrong, Lady Ortiz is a delightful woman who's the ideal head of the orphanage we all stay in. But on Golden Star Friday, her warmth can melt even the coldest person's heart. She then announces.
"First, up. Sachiko."
"Yay!" the young gal says, as Lady Ortiz pats her on the head before moving on to the second and third orphans.
"…. And, last but not least, Thomas."
"Banging!"
"Thomas!!"
Lady Ortiz quickly removed her hand from my head.
"I know you're excited… as you should be. And your British vocabulary is very catchy, but watch your tongue! Or else you'll have to give your golden star to someone else."
"Ooooooooh, silver boy is in trouble." I could hear the other kids say. And while I may not know why our dear Lady Mother doesn't like one of my favorite words; I still must comply with her, for the sake of my reputation.
"S-sorry, ma'am…" I bowed my head in shame. "How about, ace instead?"
"Yes, Tommy, that'll do." Lady Ortiz then gave me that gentle head pat I oh so love!
"Hehe, ace!"
"Now, now children, off to the cafeteria. Friday classes won't start right without my darlings having a hearty breakfast!"
"Yes, Lady Ortiz!" The orphans rushed out the bedroom doors like a stampede of rabbits in pursuit of a single carrot.
As I attempt to catch up with my peers, I suddenly spot someone in the corner of my eye, inspecting our beds.
"All three of us made of our beds. But, there's not a single wrinkle on his bed. Almost as if were was a store model."
"Sachiko, what's up?" I ask the girl with a puzzled look on my face.
"Isn't it great having another golden star to add to our portfolios?!??" Sachiko's rushed reply revealed a rather flushed look on her face that contrasted her short, pitch black hair. But before I could reply, Sachiko continued.
"The more stars we have, the higher the likelihood we'll get adopted!" Her eyes gleamed brighter than the sun. But just like the sun's overwhelmingly blinding light; Sachiko's enthusiasm; in this instance, caused me to turn in the opposite direction.
"Tsk! Why would I ever want to leave this place? Life's perfect at OGO." I say to myself as I make my way towards the cafeteria.