You can't always get what you want in life. Something always has to go wrong. That's why you must never expect too much from life.

I walked into the yard and fastened my pace. I miss this place.

"Alice!"

One of the kids shouted and they all turned to look at me joyfully. I embraced them and I felt so happy being around them again.

"We thought you wouldn't come again."

Lil Pinky said. I squated and smiled at her. I always visit this orphanage. I lurve this kids alot plus I feel like myself again when I'm around them.

"What did I tell you?"

I asked the group of children surrounding me as I touched lil Pinky's cheeks.

"That you'd never forget us."

Caleb said and I nodded with a smile.

"And that you'll visit us when ever you get time."

Patricia added smiling warmly at me.

"And it's true. It's only that I've been busy lately but to make up for all that, I brought you some gifts."

I said and they hugged me again. I just have this unconditional love for kids. Especially for those that do not have their parents to love and take care of them. My mom may might not be the best, but I'm still lucky to have her unlike this children who have no one other than the nuns.

"You know that we love you right Alice?"

Caleb said as we walked to my car.

"Of course I know and I love you even more."

                                     ***

"Are you staring at who I think you are staring at?"

I asked looking at Mensia in disbelief. She has been staring at where Dylan and his friends were sitting and I silently hoped that she's not into him.

"Me? Staring at someone? Ofcourse not."

She answered looking anywhere but at me which just confirmed my suspicions.

"If you say so."

I decide not to push it for now. The lesson went on with Mrs Hattson telling us to put more effort in the poems we are writing since the marks will be assessed. My mind hastily drifts off to Austin. Why did he react the way he did? Does he really believe I have bad intentions with him or something? I wouldn't even come up with ways to ruin him even if I wanted to. It's me for goodness sake. I shake my head lightly to get him out of my head and focus on Mensia instead.

"How far are you with your poem?"

I asked her. She didn't respond so I wondered if she was even listening. I throw a glance at her just to find her staring at Dylan.

"You like him don't you?"

Even knowing the answer to that I still hoped she'd say no. He's a total jerk and I wouldn't want her to get hurt.

"Who?"

She asked as her cheeks flushed. And that's the only confirmation i needed.

"Dylan."

I said staring at her.

"To be honest i think I do. I'm sure I have it bad for him and I'm also aware that he's way out of my league. I don't even know why it had to be him that I liked, he has a whole bunch of girls in his lane and he'd never like a plain ass girl like-"

I cut her off.

"Hey Mensia relax. I understand. It's not your fault he's the one you like. And I'm sure it's just a little crush that will fade away soon. Right?"

I asked her hopefully.

" I'd like to think that too but I'm afraid I like him pretty bad Alice."

She smiles ruefully.

"And you know you can't make a guy like you right?"

I asked just to make sure she had no intention of doing anything stupid to get Dylan's attention. I know that jerk and I know he'd use that as an advantage to prey on her.

"Yeah I know. There's something called dignity hun' and I can't overlook that one."

She gives me a small smile and I return it whole heartedly. Maaan, there's something about this girl that I admire so much.

The bell rang and Mensia left throwing me a quick goodbye. She seemed like she was in a hurry and I didn't mind. I packed my books and started walking out. I felt someone grab my wrist and I turned around to see who its was.

Dylan, Dylan and just Dylan. I freed myself from his grip and he let go of my wrist.

"Can't I say hi to my girlfriend?"

He said and I fumed.

"Can't you just stop bothering me?"

I asked him calmly crossing my arms over my chest. I then felt his eyes on my chest as he smirked.

"I see you gave our boobs a boost. Baby doll you're a fine one."

He said still eyeing my chest and I let my hands free. Pervet.

"You're disgusting."

I said through gritted teeth and he laughed lightly. Such an ass.

"And to answer your question, how can I ever stop bothering my girlfriend. I know you like it when I chase you around."

He said and it took everything in me not to slap him across his damn fucked up face.

"You're unbelievable. You still have the audacity to call me your girlfriend after what you did to me. You have no shame do you?"

I asked staring at him sceptically.

"Correction there baby. I didn't do anything to you. You probably meant what we did because that night I didn't force you one bit. You came crawling to me."

I wanted to scream at him that I didn't go crawling to him. That he was the one who came to my house. That i regret every bit of that night but I chose against it. Because I know I'll only hurt myself if I go through the details of that night. He was a waste of time so I just walked away.

"See you sweet cheeks."

He shouted and I swear I had my anger on high level. I hated the damn stupid names. Sweet cheeks. Baby doll. I hated them because they reminded me of those days when I thought Dylan was a better person. And now I swear they make me sick.

I lost my appetite so I decided to just drop my bag in my locker and go to the garden instead. As I walked through the long corridors of the school, I heard my name from one of the classes across the hallway. I didn't want to eavesdrop but I'm sure it's me they were talking about so I walked closer.

I got close enough to see the two girls sitting on top of the desks. Ashley and one of her bitches. Who else?

"You think he'll stay away from her like that?" Tiffany asked.

"He has to. I know how sensitive he is about any one attempting to harm his sister. I'm sure he'll just vent out his anger on her which will make the ugly brat stay away."

Ashley shrugged with a triumphant smile.

"But how did you go about it really?"

"I didn't even have to do anything. I just told Austin about how Alice is upto no good. That she hates kids cause she always wanted a sibling but since she never got any, she takes it out on other kids and that I was sure she'd hurt his little sister. See, it was as-"

I didn't want to hear anymore so I left. The anger in me multiplying further and further. That bitch. How dare she? She really thinks I'm into Austin or something. Puh-lease. I don't even blame her. But Austin? How could he even think I was capable of hurting... To hell with him.

I sat under a tree in the garden and leaned on a bench. I managed to finish my poem although it still needs thorough editing. Tomorrow I'll be going to my dad's place. And I have a feeling mom won't let me go. She even restricts me from talking about him in her presence which I sort of understand.

And about Carol and Gail. I just don't know how to make them understand. I haven't seen any of them today. What am I really supposed to do? If I leave then who will take care of her? She's almost always out there getting drunk. I tried talking her into going to rehab but she gave me a beating that day. Her sister got her pills which she just flushed in the toilet pot and continued drinking. Will things ever get better or will they keep getting worse?

"Ali!"

Someone called me softly and I looked up to see Austin. Not that I was expecting anyone else. After all, he's the only one who calls me Ali and I wonder what he wants from me now.

(Thank you guys for reading. Please do vote and comment. I really want to know what you think about my story.)