LULU'S POV
In the morning, Mother Susan woke me up, who caressed my shoulder. She was a few years younger than Mother Emilia.
One of the children once asked him how many years he was and his response was twenty -nine.
It had been a year since the girl asked, so now she had to be about thirty.
The girl who asked was called Ashley. They adopted it five months ago at the age of eight.
None of us would live here forever. Before turning twelve, it had already been decided that we would all leave the orphanage and be sent to live with adoptive parents.
My thoughts wandered while listening to the cheerful voices of the small children rising throughout the yard.
A short distance from the yard, beneath a giant rock at the top of an earth hill, I sang to myself.
I created a soft melody with my voice, quiet enough that even a butterfly could hear me. A pity I had never seen any.
—What a beautiful melody.
I suddenly heard.
I jumped in surprise at the voice coming from above my head.
—Cassie!
Cassie agilely jumped from the top of the rock where she was, her crimson hair braided in a single plait flew through the air behind her.
—I heard a wonderful song while climbing the tree and couldn't help it...
She smiled sweetly.
—Sorry.
I put a hand over my heart.
—You scared me...
Cassie sat next to me, hugging her knees, while looking at me with a curiosity that made me nervous.
—So, what's the name of this song?
She asked.
Doubt invaded me.
Should I tell her?
But her genuine interest encouraged me.
—It has no name. I didn't give it one.
I responded in a low voice.
Her eyes opened in surprise.
—Did you write this, Lulu?!
—Yes...
I confirmed, confused by her reaction.
Why would she find something so simple so amazing?
Cassie exclaimed joyfully.
—That's incredible!
She looked at me with her wide crimson eyes. She truly believed it.
Anyone who could do something she couldn't seemed amazing to her.
—Let me hear a bit more!.
She asked me.
—What?
I never expected such a request.
I looked at her, perplexed. Cassie waited patiently, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
—... Well.
I finally agreed.
I felt embarrassed in front of my first audience.
—But keep it a secret, okay? It would embarrass me.
I said raising my index finger. Cassie smiled and nodded.
I began to sing, softly, as if telling an intimate secret.
My voice, trembling and weak at first, gradually became clearer and stronger.
I felt I could be myself.
Cassie hugged her knees and observed me.
Suddenly, Cassie began to sing with me.
What a surprise!
I looked at her, amazed that she had caught the melody so quickly. But she continued, without losing the rhythm.
My song rose with the wind, blending with her voice.
The time Cassie spent with me was different. She was someone who enjoyed playing, running, playing chess, but with me she found another type of comfort.
When she congratulated me on my song, I just smiled awkwardly and looked away.
—I'm not that good...
From my perspective, Cassie was perfect. Capable of doing anything and being better than most at it.
She was smart enough to always get the best grades on exams and was also an exceptional athlete and a fast runner.
Everyone loved her.
My younger siblings admired and adored her, while those her own age recognized and respected her for being even more capable in some areas.
Compared to Cassie, I considered myself boring. I didn't stand out in studies and was always the first to be caught in games. I never knew what to say to people and knew that if I couldn't be fun, nobody would respect me.
I loved music, but for me it wasn't a source of pride. It was cool to be good at studies or sports, but being good at music didn't seem like a big deal.
That's why I wanted to be good at something else, anything.
I wanted to change.
Later, in my room, I reflected. I held my small notebook, tracing with my finger my never-accomplished goals.
—I couldn't do even one, as always...
I mumbled to myself.
—Lulu!
Cassie calls me from the door.
—Mama wants to see you.
I quickly put away the notebook and followed her.
In the dining room, dinner preparation is in full process. While mama scolded the small children.
—Mama, I brought Lulu.
Upon hearing Cassie's voice, mama, who wore a black dress and white apron, turned to look at her.
Next to Cassie, I nervously looked away, wondering what mama would tell me.
Mama put her hand on my shoulder.
—Congratulations, Lulu.
Hearing those words, I raised my gaze and met mama's eyes while she smiled kindly.
—You'll join a welcoming family.