Corpse Flower

VII. Plenty Smart

Sophia’s POV:

Who tore your young heart out?

Who tore your young heart out and spit on it?

That's how bitter Anastasia comes out to be.

I’ve always thought the girl in front of me is different from all the other kids I met. She's much too discipline and negative to be a child.

“Sophia?” Anastasia’s mom chirped. She tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, “How are you doing?” Sometimes, I feel like Anastasia is adopted. Her family is much too cheerful compared to her.

“Good!” I lied. I hate being here. I hate being in this world. It’s miserable and I’m always hungry.

“Would you like to stay for dinner?”

I nod eagerly before I leaped inside the small house as if it’s my own. I found out that I’m a desperate kind of person when I’m hungry.

I settled down on the table with Anastasia’s dad on the other side of the table. He folded the newspaper in his hands neatly. The citizens in this country aren’t allowed to have access to cable tv unless they're wealthy. Funny enough, wealthy people don't use the tv. They have holograms.

How humorous.

A world that's so technologically advance is extremely behind on equality. I mean, my world isn't perfect but it isn't this terrible. The division between the wealthy and poor is so great, it's almost funny. How unrealistic it all seems.

It's not.

Power is absolute in this world.

Magic exists.

Magic is equivalent to suppression.

Those who practice magic are much more superior.

Those who are blessed by the Gods is even more powerful.

Yes, Gods.

Freaking religion is everywhere.

I'm not against any religion as long as they leave me alone. But, here? Not even a chance. Gods exist in this world. People run into them. Those who never practiced magic has the ability to do it if they play their cards right. If they're at the right spot...at the right time.

Pushing the magic aside. Sometimes - almost always - I wish I was thrown into a young wealthy person's body. It doesn't matter if its male or female. If that's the case, I could pour all my focus in finding Arlo. Together, we'll live with my new, hopefully kind, parents.

If I took over a young wealthy person's body and they happen to have a good family. Why would I consider going back to my world? That makes no sense.

Jake.

He's probably better off.

Now, he can pour all his focus on fending for himself. Hopefully, turn over a new leaf. Find a nice woman. Make a normal family with her. He can lie about his past for all I care. Tell her that all his family members passed away. It's even better if he changes his name and moves to another state. Start fresh.

"Sophia?" Anastasia's dad calls for me. Anastasia settles beside me while her mom places down the plate. I would help, but I broke a plate last time and Anastasia's mom forbids me to help her.

"Yes sir?" Always smooch up to the person who is feeding you.

"How is school?" Always the same question.

I smile, "Great! We learned about math today!" I feel like I'm getting stupider each day. But, if I don't attend school, the orphanage makes me do house chores. I didn't transport to another world only to get stuck doing chores inside the house or on a farm.

After several exchanges, the food was bought out. I ate as much as my tiny stomach can take. I don't know if there will be enough food at the orphanage tonight. Since I'm small, I always get pushed to the back of the line by the larger children.

What am I supposed to do?

Beat up several kids who are twice my size?

Snitch?

The caretaker has enough on her plate.

Most likely, she would whip the back of their legs a few times then send them to their rooms without supper. What's happens after? Weeks and weeks of payback. Children can be so pitiful.

Then again, I don't blame them for behaving that way.

Survival of the fittest.

They're only learning about the unfairness of the world at an early age. Want something? Grab it.

I have such a negative mindset.

After supper, I help Anastasia's mom clean up and she invited me to take a bath together with Anastasia. I agreed to it. They have hot water. I submerge myself into the bathtub and exhale softly. The orphanage only has cold water and you have to take it in a room with ten other kids.

"Anastasia," I call her.

Anastasia kept her eyes close, "Hm?"

"Thank you for being my friend. I love you." It wasn't a lie. I do love her. I love her and her kind family. If I didn't meet them, I wouldn't know what I would do. "When I get rich. I'll invite all of you to live in my mansion."

Anastasia laughs, "I look forward to it."

I tilt my head to the side until it hits the wall, "Hey," I said. Anastasia circulates her finger around the bubble. "Can I ask you a question?"

Her head lifts up towards the sky. Yes. The bathroom's ceiling opens up. It's used to air out the steam to avoid mold or any stenches. "What is it?"

"Do you ever...regret being born here?" Whenever I'm with Anastasia, I would bring up random topics. Topics that I desperately want to discuss, but couldn't due to my age.

The water splashes inside the bathtub. It's a warm night. Maybe my question is much too dark for a young girl like her. Her silence makes our situation awkward. "Regret," she said. "No."

"Why?"

Her eyes cast down to me, "Isn't there something else you want to ask me? Something you've been wondering for a while now."

"What do you mean?"

"Come on Sophia. You're not stupid." Anastasia isn't wrong. There are other questions I want to ask her. Questions that aren't meant to be heard by anyone else in this world.

The door plop open, "Okay girls. Its time to get out. We wouldn't want you sick." Anastasia's mom wrapped a towel around her and then me. "Wipe up and I'll make you two hot cocoa. Then, we'll take you home. Okay?"

I nod, "Thank you." Honestly, I don't want to go back. I wish Anastasia's parents would adopt me. I mean, I would like a wealthy family but with time, my bar lowered. Too bad Anastasia's parents can't afford another kid. I should be grateful they didn't kick me out of their house whenever I drop by.

After everything, Anastasia's parents took me back to the orphanage. I can feel it. The bitter envy from the other children. A good amount of them dislikes me because Anastasia's parents take care of me. Initially, I felt bad for them but then I got over it. Particularly since they would continuously taunt me, throw my clothes in the mud, push me down on the ground, and bullies whoever tried to be nice to me.

Kids can be so cruel.

"Hello," the caretaker greets Anastasia's parents. "I hope Sophia didn't intervene too much."

"Of course not," Anastasia's mom responds. "She's Anastasia's friend." She leans down, "Come back anytime." She taps my nose.

I gave her my largest smile. Of course, I would take her offer. After the three of them disappear, the caretaker smile dropped and so did mine. "Come with me," she said.

I followed her.

"Did you cause any trouble?"

"No ma'am."

She settled on the chair inside her private office and exhale lightly.

I sat in front of her. Straight back. Crossed legs. Perfect posture.

"Sophia. I understand that the orphanage can't offer much, but you can't continuously go out and beg for food."

"Anastasia is my friend. Her mother invited me to dinner," I reasoned.

"I know you only signed up for school just to get close to Anastasia."

"And the problem?"

"You should stop attending school and help around the orphanage. We're short." On slaves. She might as well add that part.

I tilt my head, "But, Miss Pen said I can become anything I want as long I'm educated. I want to become someone that can help the orphanage in the future." Yes. I'm playing the stupid card.

The caretaker frown, "Sophia. You don't have to burden yourself with us." You should just stay uneducated so I can brainwash you to do whatever the f**k I want.

I played with my fingers, "I don't want to be someone that's unreliable."

She got up from her chair and settled on the couch beside me. "You're not unreliable." She pats my head with her disgusting hand. "You're plenty smart. You don't need school."

I look at her, "Then, I should stay here?"

"Yes. I don't want you to live each day, worrying about us. Stay here and play with the other children." She leans in closer, "Guess what?"

"What?" I pretend to be curious.

"A nice family is coming tomorrow and I bet they would love to meet you."