Facing Reality (2) My suitcase made a soft whirring sound as I dragged it to the front door. A car greeted me, it's cheerful driver waving. He had bright blue eyes and light brown hair, very much unlike my own violet eyes and jet black hair. He wordlessly helped me load the suitcase. He got into the driver's seat and closed the door. The car started and shot forward. It lurched as it rounded a corner. I grabbed the door handle to steady myself. "You okay missy?" the low voice of the driver asked. "Fine," I mumbled, which was a downright lie. My emotions were jumbled up and I felt like I hadn't slept in days. The car crawled to a stop. "There's a traffic jam, so we'll arrive a little late," the driver said worriedly. "Actually I think like we'll reach 15 minutes late." The driver cast me a brief glance. "You know kid," he said slowly and carefully. "It's no use brooding. Your parents...well I'd wager they'd want you to get over this." My head shot up. "How would you know?" I said, anger creeping into my voice. "Well kid," the driver smiled sadly. "My parents are, to put it in the most gentle way, a little weird in the head, so yeah, it's pretty much the same." "Sorry," I said sheepishly. "Didn't know." "Don't apologize. It's not your fault," he said kindly. " and by the way, the name's Peter Dowse." His eyes twinkled at me. I smiled back. Tried to, anyway. The traffic ahead lessened. Peter grinned. "Make that 10 minutes late," he said happily as the car inched forward. Pretty soon, we were traveling quickly through the streets. "What's your name?" Peter asked suddenly. "Reina Dawson," I replied, fingering the necklace around my neck. "Reina," Peter said seriously as the car halted at a traffic light. "Don't get on Mrs Rowan's bad side. She's great when you're nice, but an old hag when you're not." He laughed. I smiled a very small smile. "I think I probably shouldn't tell her that," I said lightly, feeling a little better. Peter nodded his head vigorously. "Oh yes, otherwise it's off with your head!" he exclaimed. Then the car pulled up in front of a gloomy building with a faded sign that read, WELCOME TO THE ORPHANAGE OF MRS SIERRA ROWAN. "Okay missy, we've reached. Goodbye...and good luck," Peter winked. "Won't I be seeing you?" I asked. "Maybe, maybe not. But you better wish you won't see me again, regretful as it is, 'cause when I come, it means there's another orphan," Peter said sadly. "Wait!" I suddenly remembered something. Peter raised an eyebrow. "Who is Mrs Winnie Supra?" I asked. "How do you know her?" Peter said quizzically. "She was the one who sent me the letter, not Mrs Rowan," I explained. "She's Mrs Rowan's most trusted teacher," Peter said. "Now I really must be going." "But-" I said hurriedly, another question forming on my lips. However he was already leaving. I watched him go, my suitcase at my side. What had he meant by teacher? Then a woman in a suit and with her black hair tied in a bun rushed up to me. "Oh my dear, you've arrived, come on in!" she said in a kind voice. "Oh and by the way, I'm Mrs Rowan, and you must be Reina" I nodded silently. Mrs Rowan smiled warmly and led me into the orphanage. It was amazing. The inside was huge! With a total of four levels, the inside of the orphanage loomed over me. This was the front hall. There were seats and a counter, plus stairs leading upwards. Beside the counter was a small lift. "The food hall, library and classrooms are on the second floor. The third and fourth levels are the dormitories. Your room is on the fourth floor. Specifically, room 423. Of course, we don't have 400 over rooms, the 4 just refers to the level, just to be clear," Mrs Rowan explained. "I understand, Mrs Rowan," I said politely. "I trust you had lunch?" She asked raising an eyebrow. "No. Nor have I taken breakfast, Mrs Rowan," I admitted, suddenly feeling hungry. "Oh my! Then you must go eat," Mrs Rowan said briskly. "Mrs Rowan," I said hurriedly, pulling out my crumpled homework from my suitcase, "These are the last pieces of homework I had in school. Is there any way I can hand them to my teacher?" "Of course there is! I'll help you. Now what's the name of the school?" Mrs Rowan asked. "Silos Secondary School. My teacher's the head of the 16 year olds. Her name is Mrs Bessie. Oh and my class is the second class," I said hastily. "So we have a secondary 4 in our hands," Mrs Rowan smiled. "I'll hand theses to her, rest assured." "Is there a bus that travels to Silos and stops nearby?" I asked tentatively. "And why would you want to know?" Mrs Rowan raised an eyebrow. "I have to go to school," I explained, thinking that it was obvious. Mrs Rowan laughed. "This orphanage will be your new school. We'll teach you. Lessons will start at 7:30 sharp. Assemble at 70 at the food hall," Mrs Rowan said. No wonder she'd mentioned classrooms. And no wonder Peter had mentioned a teacher. "Really?" I said, somewhat lamely. Mrs Rowan nodded. "Go on then, the lunch hall it is for you," Mrs Rowan ushered me to the stairs. I glanced at the lift. "That's for special needs only," Mrs Rowan answered my silent question. We climbed the steps to the second floor. Ahead was a long row of doors, presumingly the classrooms. Behind were two doors, the one on the left leading to the library and the right to the food hall. It was easy to tell with the signs. Mrs Rowan steered me into the food hall. The food hall had 5 extremely long and empty tables. Beside the 5th empty table from the left was another long table, but this was covered with plates of food and cups beside liquid dispensers. In total there were 3 liquid dispensers, and, well, a whole lot of food. I noticed that most of the plates were barely filled. The other orphans must've already eaten. The only plate still mostly full was the one with vegetables. Mrs Rowan glanced sadly at it, then the one remaining chicken wing on a large plate. "They must like meat," I remarked. "Yes," Mrs Rowan sighed. "I don't mind vegetables, though," I said truthfully. Mrs Rowan smiled. She led me to the rice and filled a plate, handing it to me. "Go ahead and pick what you like," she invited.