Playing With Fire

Chapter 1

"I am going to miss you" My hostel warden, Angela, said for the hundredth time since she walked into my dorm room. I knew she will as I am her favorite one here. She has been taking care of me since the day I came here. She was always there for me during my difficult times when I was growing up and I will be eternally grateful to her for that.

She cared for me without expecting anything in return and that made me feel loved when I felt like I had no one else out there for me. I am going to miss her as well. More than she can know actually.

I smiled sadly to myself, avoiding meeting her eyes. Honestly, I think she is the only one who would miss me here. "I will call you frequently. I expect you to do the same as well" I promised, glancing up at her for a split second before looking down again to neatly fold my clothes.

I didn't have much clothing with me as I have been always the type of person who liked to save money. Especially after that money came from me working in a popular fast food lane while still studying. I didn't want to spend my sweat and blood on clothes simply because I wanted to fit in. Unfortunately, I needed to buy myself some formal office wear soon. I have been procrastinating to go shopping actually.

Even though I am an orphan, I managed to pass high school with flying colors and managed to get a scholarship to study in a prestigious college. Recently, I graduated from there, and without wasting my time, I applied for a job online. I didn't care where it was, I just wanted a job so I pretty much applied for any job that I think I am qualified for.

I have always felt like I can be myself, the way I actually wanted to be when I start to work.

It didn't even cross in my wildest dream that I would get a job in Italy and that too, with a four-figure salary. I was overjoyed and I decided to leave my orphanage without thinking twice. I was over eighteen and I can't be in here forever. I have to leave at some point. Besides, if I continue to stay in my comfort zone, I wouldn't grow and achieve what I want in my life.

I accepted the offer letter that they had sent me and applied for a working visa right away. A new life in Italy sounds very right to me. I can start fresh, away from people who don't like me.

"I will" I heard Angela say, snapping me away from the train of my thoughts. I looked at her and nodded my head in approval. At least, she would call me. If she doesn't, what's the point in having a handphone? I have no one else except her.

Angela came to my aid when I told her that I needed some help to pack everything I own after lunch. She was not surprised when I asked that as she already knows that I have been going back and forth to get my visa for a couple of weeks now. I told her that I had already booked a one-way ticket to leave for Italy tomorrow and she looked really hurt by that.

She was so sad that she keeps mumbling about how she was going to miss me for the past hour now.

"ANGELA" Someone suddenly called from downstairs loudly and Angela rolled her eyes, "Coming" She yelled back at the person, mouthing she would come back here to help me soon.

I chuckled under my breath and nodded my head at her. Angela left the room half-heartedly after that. I sighed when I realized that it was only me again. I hated solitude more than anything. By now I should have gotten used to it but I couldn't. I am sick of it already.

How can I not be?

I can't remember my parents. All I know that they died in a car crash when I was five and from that day, I have been living in an orphanage. I didn't let that bring me down though. I tried to make some friends but failed miserably at that.No one wanted to become my friend.

Thanks to a certain someone for that.

I folded the last item of clothing that I have and put it inside my luggage bag. Sighing, I zipped it up and flopped on the bed next to it, finally done with packing. I put my hands behind my neck and started to massage it to ease the soreness from the pressure of looking down for so long before looking around the tiny room that I have been calling home for the last fifteen years now.

Weirdly, I am going to miss this place. I did not have a pleasant stay here but Angela made it somewhat bearable. If it wasn't for her, I am pretty sure I would have lost my sanity a long time ago.

My eyes widened in surprise when my phone vibrated in my pocket and I shoved down my hand into my Jean pocket immediately, trying to fish out the phone as quickly as I can. Normally, no one would call me as I had no one so I knew that it means it's an important matter that someone is making an effort to call me. 

I looked at the called ID for a split second before sliding it to answer quickly, "Hi?" I asked, pressing the phone against my ear, my heart in my throat.

This call was from Italy.

"Rayna?" 

"Yes?"

"Hi, I am Mindy" I heard some saying a cheerful tone from the other side. Mindy? I started to wreck through my brain, trying to remember if I know any Mindy."I just saw the email you have sent me and I am interested in sharing my house with you" She said before I could ask anything.

Oh, that! I didn't expect to receive a call from her this soon, "Oh my, thank you so much!" I said gratefully, one of my hands going to my chest, "Actually, I was quite worried about my accommodation as I am leaving for Italy tomorrow but you called me at the perfect time" I informed her excitedly, beyond grateful that everything is falling nicely into my life after a very long time.

I bit my tongue after a second. Did I say too much?

I heard a carefree chuckle from the other side and I immediately relaxed, knowing I didn't do any damage yet. In fact, it felt like Mindy and I are going to be great friends. "No problem dear," Mindy said, "We will meet tomorrow then" She added.

I agreed to her before ending the call. She seems like a great person and I would be really happy if I get to be her friend. 

I smiled to myself at that thought, putting my phone away. The smile on my face soon faltered when I heard someone barging into the room rudely. I immediately looked away from her, "Ah finally, the hermit is leaving the room!" I heard Karina say in an obnoxious tone.

I stiffened but I did not look up at her. I didn't want to have an unnecessary conversation with her. No matter what I tell her, she wouldn't be happy with my growth and the conversation will always end with me crying and with her smirking victoriously at me. "So glad that you are finally leaving" She added when I remained silent, "I can't wait to not see your ugly face every day after this," She said, intentionally in a loud voice, just for me.

Life isn't easy in an orphanage. Especially when someone is extremely jealous of one's achievements. Karina hated me with passion simply because I am a straight-A student.

I don't really know when it had started but she has been like this for a very long time now. She competed with me during our high-school days to see if she can get better results than me but ended up failing at that. 

That only fueled her up to hate me even more. So she retaliated by spreading rumors in our school so no one would be my friend there as well. And she succeeded at that. No one accepted me in their teams or groups. They wouldn't even sit with me during lunch.

I braved myself to look up at her after a few seconds of heavy silence, "Begone and don't ever come back!" Karina shrieked at me, her eyes blazing in overwhelming hatred. I watched her silently. The best answer to a fool is indeed silence. She continued to stand there rigidly and glower at me for a few more seconds before storming out from my room, her hands balled to her sides.

I sighed. At least she would be happy with my absence.