A/N: 29.06.2021

Another update my loves ❣ If you'd like quicker updates and access to advanced chapters, you can join my Patreom! The link is in my Wattpad bio per usual. Chapter 28 is already released there 🙆‍♀️🙇‍♀️

How do you guys plan on spending your summer? 🌞☀️

Have you ever worked a part time job before?? What did you do and how was it??

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The other orphans were playing in the playground. I waited until everyone was outside before sneaking into the kitchen. We weren't allowed inside, which was why I loved going there. I stole a chocolate cupcake from the tray and found some matches in one of the drawers. I snuck past the caretakers who were cleaning up the common room and went to the third floor. When I got closer to the door, I slowed down, steadying my breath so it didn't look like I ran. 

I opened the door and hid the cupcake and matches behind my back. Adam was sitting in his corner, waiting for me. He looked up, and a smile spread across his face. 

"Eric!" he exclaimed, scrambling to his feet. He ran towards me but was clumsy and fell flat on his face.

I grimaced. This was the boy I loved.

Adam slowly got on his feet, tears pricking his eyes as he rubbed his knees. He looked up and gasped with a smile, remembering that I was here and completely forgetting his pain. 

His dirty clothes hung loosely on his small shoulders and his disheveled hair fell over his eyes.

I smiled warmly. "Hey, I got you something."

I didn't show it, but I was nervous. I'd never given a present to someone. Adam looked at me with eager eyes, and I didn't want to disappoint him. We sat down, his arm against mine, and I revealed the cupcake. Unsure of how he'd react, I couldn't look him in the eyes and busied myself with lighting the match. We didn't have the luxury of celebrating with candles. When fire finally caught on the tip, I stuck it into the center of the cupcake. 

I finally looked up at him and smiled. "Happy birthday, Adam. Make a wish."

Adam looked like he was about to cry, but he squeezed his eyes shut and pressed his lips together. 

I scowled. "I said make a wish, not force a fart." The muscles in his face relaxed but his eyes were still closed. We sat in silence as he made his wish. He finally opened his eyes and blew out the fire.

I removed the match and divided the cupcake in two, giving him the bigger piece.

It was funny how Adam—a boy I met by coincidence, someone who I didn't even know existed—and I became inseparable. He was quiet and shy, and he'd follow me wherever I went. I quickly found myself getting attached to him, and even got protective over him.

Whenever he disappeared, I knew the other boys were up to no good. I'd pick fights with them and force them to talk, which cost me a couple of bruises and injuries. But I'd always find Adam in the end, and eventually, they left him alone. I didn't know why, but whenever he was hurt, I felt as if they were touching something precious to me. It was strange. I'd never treasured anything or anyone before.

Adam already finished his half, so I gave him mine. He shook his head, but I gave it to him anyway. 

"I'm not hungry. Besides, you need it more than I do," I said, adjusting his shirt that was falling off his shoulder. He hesitated but slowly began nibbling on the muffin. My eyes wandered towards the scars on his arms. They were too faded to be recent. He must have gotten them before he came to the orphanage.

The thought of someone harming Adam angered me beyond belief. He must have noticed me staring and self-consciously lowered his sleeves. Without saying anything, he rested his head on my lap, his hand blindly searching for mine. I gave out my hand and he pulled it close to his chest, grasping my fingers like a baby. He'd do this every time we were alone together. The first time, I told him to stop. Now, I looked forward to holding his hand.  

"What did you wish for?" I asked, breaking the silence. 

"You."

There wasn't a beat of hesitation in his answer. Flustered, I stupidly said, "Idiot, you already have me. You could have wished for something else."

"I don't want anything else."

My face reddened, and I couldn't find myself to look at him. I felt him gently squeeze my hand. 

"Can we spend next year's birthday together too?" he asked. Why were all his wishes about me? 

"We can spend all of your birthdays together," I promised. His eyes brightened like the stars. 

He gasped. "Really?"

"Really," I murmured. "The other kids aren't bothering you anymore, are they?"

"No, not anymore."

"Good. If they try to hurt you again, tell me right away."

"Okay!" He beamed, sounding too cheerful for someone who was being bullied. 

"If you want me to spend all your birthdays with you, you have to promise you'll take better care of yourself. You have to stand up for yourself even when I'm not around. Get stronger. No, be the strongest. Don't let anyone pick on you again," I said, poking his skinny arms.  

He giggled. "I promise." 

Adam was one of the shortest boys in our orphanage and was also considered the weakest. He often fell sick and looked malnourished, so the caretakers would give him extra attention, which played against his favor. The other boys and girls would get jealous, thinking it was unfair for him to receive special treatment when we were all parentless. When I saw them staring at Adam, it was as if I could hear their thoughts: What is so special about him? 

To me, the answer was painfully obvious. 

Everything. 

"I'm sorry for being weak," he murmured. I snapped out of my thoughts and looked at him with a frown.

"If you stay by my side, I'll protect you forever," I promised.

So promise me you won't leave.

I waited for him to reply, but he didn't. I blinked, but when I opened my eyes again, Adam was gone. A nauseating feeling filled my stomach, and I frantically looked around. 

"Adam?" I called desperately, scrambling onto my feet. But the room was empty. "Adam, where are you?"

I sprinted out of the room. The hallway was pitch dark, but when I turned around, the room was gone. 

"Adam? Adam, where are you?" I shouted desperately. "Adam!"

My eyes flung open, and I sat up in a panic. My chest throbbed terribly and sweat trickled down my damp neck. Everything slowly came into focus. I was in my dorm room. Night had fallen, and the cold moonlight streaked through the windows. I glanced at my roommate whose lips were slightly parted, one arm carelessly thrown above his head. Vadim was sound asleep, sleep talking in Russian. 

I grabbed the ring around my neck. It was such an unconscious movement that I didn't even realize I did it until the rhythm of my heart finally steadied. A peal of weak laughter escaped my throat as I ran a helpless hand through my hair. Every time I felt anxious, I'd touch this ring for comfort. 

Keeping it was painful, but throwing it away was worse. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't let go of Adam. Consciously or unconsciously, my mind would drift back to him. 

When the sun began to rise, a piercing bell filled the hallways. 

"It's time to wake up!" hollered a guard, banging on every metal door as he marched down the hallway. 

Vadim sat up, stretched his arms, and yawned. He rubbed his tired eyes before turning towards me. He studied my posture and asked, "Didn't sleep?"

I was sitting on my bed, my back propped up against the wall with my hand still around my necklace. 

"No, not really," I admitted hoarsely. 

"Worried about the Ranking System?"

When I didn't answer, a slow smile grew across his face, but there was nothing happy about it. "It's okay to be scared, but once you step out of this room, you better put on an iron mask." 

"Why?"

"Students here can smell fear from a mile away." 

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Q/A: What's the last emoji you've used??