So…...I am an orphan. I'd been told stuff about my parents and how I ended up here, though I chose to ignore the fact that I even had parents to begin with. I had long forgotten what I had been told and I didn't think that I would remember someday either. I didn't want to waste my time thinking about people who weren't a part of my life. 

I am called Ashton. Though I would never know what my real name or last name is. It was a name the master of the orphanage had chosen. And of course like everything else, it had a story too.

I had been left at the Lopez orphanage at the age of two. I heard that my parents left me in a box at their front door. On the box there was a label saying it was addressed to an 'Ashton Diaz', hence the name. Not very exciting. 

My life here was full of surprises. And not the good kind. The kids here had to do everything they'd been told to do by the master and his wife who was as active as a chopped off log lying in one place for decades.

They had three kids- twin girls Josie and Jessie, 'bout my age, who really hated me for no reason in particular and a son, Gavin, who was around ten years old and was a kind soul. I just hoped he wouldn’t turn out like his family. It surely looked like it was possible that he wouldn’t. 

I slept in a dorm full of boys so when I left at night, they hardly noticed that I was missing. They were younger than me and were all sorts of crazy. I wasn’t very close to them. We only talked when it was needed. That was mostly because I had this unapproachable aura that made people keep their distance from me. At least people who didn't want trouble. It wasn't  like I would get them into trouble but they didn't know that. They just didn't want to take the risk. Most of the people I knew didn't know that I was an orphan. But that wouldn't change anything now, would it? I didn't tell them because I didn't want to be treated differently and I didn't want their pity. 

Most of the days seemed similar to me. I woke up early today, before any ruckus started and left the house. I usually skipped breakfast since I sometimes had dinner late at night at the bar I worked at and the food here wasn't enough for us all. 

I went to Brownlow high, which was the only cheap school in Brownlow. The others were all private schools and way too expensive for me. I wasn't even smart enough to get a scholarship. Not that I wanted to attend any of them. 

The sky was a little clouded but the weather forecast said that if it rained it would only be a drizzle. After the summer heat it actually felt a little cooler these days, which I was grateful for. I wasn't a fan of the extremes. I liked it when the weather was just right. 

As I reached school, Violet fell into step beside me and I inwardly groaned. She was a part of my group of 'friends' but her lackeys or whatever were fucking annoying. And just as I feared, I saw her friends/lackeys walking towards us hurriedly and they seemed quite excited. They usually were, actually. 

'Have you heard yet?' Asked Nicole, in excitement. 

'That Caleb won another game for the school?' finished Wren. 

Violet claimed to be in love with Caleb. More like, she was obsessed with him. She was the typical mean girl in Caleb's love story. 

And Caleb was also the guy I was madly in love with. But of course none of my friends knew that. He was the reason I looked forward to coming to school everyday and the reason why I cried less to myself in that miserable corner of my dorm room at night. 

'No. I did not. One of you could have at least texted me. That's what phones are for, you know. ' She said, with a sigh. 

They both looked at each other, realisation striking them. I think. The only reason they knew was 'cause they were cheerleaders. Violet wasn't one because she said that that environment was way too positive for her. 

I totally understand her point. There actually are a couple of places where our opinions don't clash. But I don't make it a point to talk about it. I prefer fist fights over arguments. 

'Now let's go and congratulate him. ' Violet declared happily while I winced. 

She dragged the girls to Caleb's locker, while I unwillingly tagged along, sticking to the back. Where the hell were the other guys? Now I could totally go alone but my heart wanted other things and dragged my feet in the wrong direction. 

Caleb was standing at his locker with his friends Danny, Aiden, Fabien and Vicky, who were all on the school basketball team. Two of them were bickering and the others were all laughing at them, Caleb included. I lived just to see that sight! 

'Hey K, congrats on that win yesterday! ' Vi said with a smile as she walked towards him. I leant on the locker opposite and scrolled through my phone, while I secretly eyed the scene before me. Contrary to what people think, I can actually do normal things like checking my phone. 

His friends turned their heads towards her and were definitely checking her out. She had on a mini skirt, a crop top that said "yo!" and a jeans jacket without sleeves. And also, don't forget the boots that finished the look nicely. I could see them drooling over her. 

'Thanks Vi,' he said. 

Of course. He wouldn't check her out like the others had. He believed in loyalty and all that shit. He didn't want to cheat on his girlfriend, Stacey. Yep, this gorgeous guy I was madly in love with, already had a girlfriend. I was so lucky, wasn't I? Besides that, I hardly think he would even dream of looking at a guy in that way. 

Just as I thought that, I saw her coming. That nasty little... Ugh. I was getting jealous again. It was not fair. I was so not happy that she was the one he was going out with. How could I stand a chance against someone like her? She seemed pretty much perfect, an ideal girlfriend. I'd probably say that about anyone he was going out with though, whether it was her or someone else. She was considered as one of the 'good' people and me, just the opposite and our 'kinds' weren't supposed to mix. And don't forget the wrong gender, according to society's idea of normal, the cherry on top of everything fucked up about my life. 

Now you’re probably wondering why I don’t care much about Vi being all handsy with Caleb. That’s simple, because I don’t really see her as a threat. 

I saw Vi's eyes light up with a spark the moment she saw her. I knew what she was up to. My grip on my phone tightened to the point of my knuckles turning blue, my eyes glued on it, trying to maintain my look of nonchalance. 

'So tell me, what happened at the game K?' she asked, putting an arm around him. It made him a little uncomfortable, probably 'cause he saw Stacey coming closer. 

'Uh... Well our team... ' he started, but before he could continue, Stacey came and interrupted their conversation. I almost sighed in relief. As much as I hated her, they never did anything in public but Vi was a different story. She pounced on him every opportunity she got. And usually in front of Stacey. 

'Violet, why are you here again? ' she was calmly angry. Don't know how she pulled it off. She looked calm. Not her eyes though. Even from this far I could see the anger in them. If looks could kill, Vi would have died quite a long time ago. 

'Oh, hey there Stacey. I just heard about the win, so I came here to congratulate the boys for their hard work. ' she said, putting on an innocent smile. It’s really creepy how her personality seems to get a makeover whenever these two are around. 

As she said this, she was gently squeezing Caleb's shoulder. But as quick as anything he slipped away from her grasp and hugged Stacey. 

I looked away, my heart wrenching. I needed to leave. Now. I made the mistake of looking up again. 

'Morning Stace, 'he said, the love clearly showing in his eyes. My heart broke just a little, watching them together, like no one else was in the hallway.

'What are you still doing here? ' asked Stacey when their hug ended. 

She was nice but not to Vi. Obviously. She didn't like Vi groping her boyfriend every chance she got. Vi made the girl jealous every opportunity she got. 

'Oh right. I still want to know what happened at the game. K could you... ' 

'Look Violet, if you wanted to know so bad about the game, you should have just gone for the game yesterday. Go pester someone else. ' she cut her off, before she could even finish her sentence. 

Well mission accomplished, I guess. The annoyance was clearly showing on her face. She was very over protective of Caleb. And the worst thing- Caleb liked it when she was jealous. They were like that couple in high school that love each other so much that they get married as soon as they graduate and have kids and grow old together. Shit like that. Most people believed that anyway. 

'Ok fine, don't get your panties in a twist.' She turned to Danny and said, 'You're not skipping tonight, are you? '

'No. Maybe if something comes up.. ' he trailed off. 

'Oh something better not come up then. ' she spoke in a seductive tone, to which Stacey rolled her eyes and muttered something that I couldn't hear. 

She left a lingering kiss on Danny's neck and left the boys. The others had been quiet during the entire exchange. It seemed like they thought of it as entertainment by now. Nicole did a hair flip and Wren twirled instead of turned and followed behind her. I sighed, rolled my eyes, shoved my hands into the pockets of my hoodie and followed them without sparing the group a second glance. Maybe my eyes lingered a little on Caleb but it was unnoticeable. 

They were just like me. They'd never dated anyone, just gone home with random guys whenever they felt like it. Or girls sometimes in my case. Sometimes when they could get away from home they would come to the bar. 

Well that was about the only interesting thing that happened in school today. Classes were as boring as usual and I never listened to the teachers, just stared at the back of K's head. I knew it was not something I should do but I had never been caught. I might have been, if Stacey were in the same class as the two of us. But fortunately for me she wasn't. For once, luck was on my side. 

After school, I went home. I didn't like calling it that, but the orphanage was a hell of a long word. Even if I only said it in my head.