as not as good as Aiden

ng among themselves. Aiden was already very shy and he felt more awkward now. He joined the queue at the food counter and tried to talk to the boy who was st

guy who was serving aske

eally good, far better than what Aiden ate at his house. There was Bacon and Broccoli rice bowl along with some vegetable salad. He got a small serving of chocola

at a counter. He followed them and kept his used plate there and we

oys say " Did you look at the way he was eating?

xt proved otherwise. He heard a girl say " I think he has never had good food bef

now shamelessly gawking at him. His suspicions were confirmed that they were indeed talking about him. He was so embarrassed, he just

her bed. Aiden thought this guy must be Dean. Aiden forced a smile at hi

isgusting look and ask

He reluctantly asked, " W...w.

Officer talking to Madam Cecilia. He was saying your parents were thief and drug add

e accusation. He barely managed to sa

try to steal any of my stuff, I won't spare you" threat

y also thought he was a thief like his parents. His wish to make friends crumbled even before h

uce had got his things from his house. There was nothing much, just

it down. He was a bit intimidated by her tone now whi

ke one thing clear to you, whatever you did in the past does not matter anymore. In this orphanage, you have to live according to my rules and I do not tolerate any kind of insolence or m

e of attitude. He jumped up in fear when he hear

the strength to speak a

he kids. You have to be at your best behavior in front of the parents if you want to get adopted to a good family. Also, I maintain a logbook wherein I note down the good and bad deeds

Cecilia instructs him to take

you will have to first finish your HW and if you complete it soon you will get 2 hours of free time to play or watch TV. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. You must sleep at 8 p.m. and no one is allowed to go out of their rooms after 8 p.m. Remember to always follow the above sch

constantly abused by his parents, he was adamant about avoiding the puni

ready for school. He had his breakfast and left

background. So, as a result, Aiden was a target of disgust and hatred from students and teachers alike. He soon realized he was better off being alone and avoided others just to stay out of trouble. His biggest fear was getting abused and bull

nd once back get immersed in his books. He preferred to stay in his room even in his break time so that he can a

iden was getting back from his dinner one evening, he was stopped by Brett and his gang. Brett and the gang were known

ngrily and sneered " You thief

nd stuttered in fear " W..w..what are you

w " roared Brett. By now all the other kids h

s tight grip but failed. He was on the verge of te

n when he was stopped by Madam Ceci

e? Leave the boy now"

n's collar and said " Mam,

d stared at Aiden and asked " Is i

...I...I dddin't ss

ut Madam Cecilia roared " Stop it, Brett. Don't you

re telling the truth then you should have no

oom no. 5 and started searching Aiden's closet. He didn't find the toy there. Then he checked Aiden's study table and inside the drawer was a red color toy car. John took it out and asked

desperately from Brett to Madam Cecilia and said " I...I...I really don't kkk

should have arrested you along with

no one would believe him even if he tried. They had already started blaming him as soon they knew about his parents, and now when the

t this incident. It was merely a few weeks this small boy had come to her orphanage and he had already

tt and said " You got your

o were gathered and said " All

and Madam Cecilia told

d and appalled, few disgusted and few happy at Aiden's misery. The happiest was Dean because he had managed to so easily escape from this situation. Actually, Dean was the one who had stolen Brett's toy car. Brett and his gang had pranked on him the previous day, so Dean wanted to get back at

er office. She seemed very angry

you still dare to steal at my orphanage. " She said the last words so loudly that Aiden was frozen in fear. He didn't dare to utter a w

t and dinner tomorrow. You can have your lunch at school. Also, you will be cleaning the entire dining room for next week, alone b

d to household work while staying with his parents and skipping meals was a regular occurrence ther

room but not before warning him again. Aiden r

r views completely. Now Aiden was certainly a thief in their eyes. The sneers, curses and stares increased. He was ridiculed and made fun of when he had to clean the dining room alone, for next week. The 'Prank Gang' had found their new and reg

g from them. Dean who had so easily escaped after stealing for the first time was now doing it regularly and always blamed it on Aiden. Aiden was often punished by Madam Cecilia in the form of skipping meals, doing the cleaning, making him kneel down for hours in the playground un

small hole on the compound wall. He was now used to the gossips, ridicules, pranks and punishments. In between all these troubles, there was one good thing for him. He was very goo