POV CASSIE'S

The next morning was no different from the others. I began my day as I normally would, got up and made my bed.

Today Lulu will be adopted. She will leave the only home she had known during our short lives.

I no longer remembered my mother's face, so I wondered what these godparents who sent gifts that later became adoptive parents would be like.

Why do we never see them? Will they be kind? Tall? Intelligent? Will they be like me?

I tried to imagine them, letting my mind wander for a moment.

Without letting sadness consume me, I went to the bathroom to use the toilet, wash my hands and face. I tried to comb my tangled bright red hair with a comb before giving up halfway.

I returned to my dressing table, slowly grabbed and put on my impeccable white uniform that I knew was the last time. The only thing we were allowed to wear as children.

I had always wished I could wear other garments with different fabrics, textures, and colors, I reflected while dressing.

Breakfast was full of delicious food. Sweet porridge with fresh fruit and honey. Soft pancakes as fluffy as cotton candy. White eggs like clouds and golden yolks like the sun. Bacon, toast, and sausages cooked and crispy to perfection.

If the food is this good inside the orphanage, what would food be like outside? It must be first-class.

My thoughts were quickly interrupted by Mama, who silenced all the children and gathered us to bless the table before starting breakfast.

I wasn't very hungry because I was thinking about Lulu, who was going to be adopted today.

Then, we took our daily exam. And we lived our lives as happy members of a peaceful orphanage.

Finally, the moment arrived for Lulu to leave.

—I can't believe this is your last day, Lulu! I'll really miss you! —Lucy told little Lulu with tears in her glasses, which she quickly wiped with her shirt.

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—Me too! —Anna exclaimed, managing to hold back her tears.

—Oh, don't worry, I'll write to both of you. Once we're adopted, we'll meet and go shopping together! We can try new and exquisite food —Lulu assured them.

I smiled watching the scene, feeling a lump in my throat.

—Or pretty dresses! —Anna got excited—. Or books and art pieces signed by our favorite artists!

Lucy's face completely lit up, radiant at the positive mood change of her two friends.

—That's the spirit, girls! Come on, let's have breakfast together. I'm hungry —said Lucy.

The other two girls nodded while the three finished setting the table and helping the youngest sit in their chairs.

My siblings cried while sharing a box of tissues among them. But there weren't enough tissues for everyone, as there wasn't a single dry eye among us.

It was normal for children to cry when one of our siblings was adopted.

—Lulu, please don't go! —some of the smaller children shouted.

—Now, now everyone —said mama, clearing her throat—. I know we'll all miss Lulu, but please, try to be happy for her. She's going to a new loving family and I assure you they will love her as much as we do. Now everyone can hug Lulu and give her their last goodbye before she leaves —mama instructed, smiling.

The children obeyed, everyone took turns hugging Lulu. Lucy, Anna, and I were the first.

Goodbyes are always difficult, I thought as I approached to hug her.

I smiled through tears while hugging Lulu.

—Good luck, Lulu. Your new family is lucky to have you join them. They'll love you like I do, like we all do —I said in a supportive tone.

Lulu tried to be strong while holding back tears.

—I love you too, Cassie. Thank you, one day you'll have a family of your own that will love you and be lucky to have you too —she responded.

Most children didn't know the harsh truths about our parents or where we were born, I remembered.

For us, finding a family to stay with is a truly exciting idea. But in the end... Leaving always makes us sad.

—Are you okay, Arceus? —I asked, looking at my friend who hadn't said a word during the farewell, worried.

—I'm fine —Arceus lied unconvincingly.

Lulu nervously smiled at Arceus and gave him a hug.

Something wasn't right, I thought, watching the scene.

Arceus lowered his head and whispered barely audibly: —I'm sorry.

Reinhardt and the other children were confused, this wasn't how a farewell should be.

Arceus had always been the calmest of all the children. Why was he apologizing?

—Come Lulu, it's time to go. Your new parents are waiting for you —said Emilia, looking at Arceus with a frown.

Lulu nodded while moving away from Arceus, which took all her strength.

Lulu looked at her friends one last time.

She said goodbye to the rest of the children, smiling as she left and the door closed behind her and mama.

Time later...

I snuck out of the orphanage without anyone noticing.

I didn't want to be punished, but I needed to see the godparents who were coming to pick up Lulu.

Although I knew mama would scold me, I thought it would be worth it.

After all, I had also gotten a godparent but never knew who or what they were like. This was my opportunity.