4 4. First Few Days (1/2)

Chapter 4

”I'm so sorry about that back there.” MaryAnn sympathized, ”They're a little weird when it comes to new people.” She joked walking the girl down a path in the woods.

”The trees are so beautiful this time of year. Do you know each leaf is different from the rest? They also have their own unique mark; like some are very pretty, but then there are some that have holes or scratches.” She paused to bend down and grab a leaf. ”Some leaves may come from a nice blossom tree, but there are some that come from even a dead tree.” The girl gave a weird look at MaryAnn and faltered, ”Uh...In no disrespect, why did you bring me to the woods to talk about the trees?”

”You thought I was talking about trees?” MaryAnn question with a soft smile, ”Darling, I was talking about you.”

The girl pondered the answer given some more.

”You came from WWIDI, right?”

”Yeah.”

”What they do to kids is awful and can change them for life…” MaryAnn explained. ”But even though they came from a dead tree and went through a rough path, they still came out a beautiful leaf. Sure they may be brown, shriveled up, or maybe they have pieces of them left behind from trails it went through.” MaryAnn paused. ”Sweet girl… you have let issues you've gone through rip you to pieces, and there's pieces of your hope, love, and bravery missing from you.”

She pondered about what she said and tried to understand.  ”Thank you for trying to make me feel better, but I'm fine. And I'm not just some innocent person that was tortured and used.” The girl shuddered sitting on a bench near the path.

”I'm pretty sure everyone in this world has done something bad, but I believe everyone deserves a fresh start.” MaryAnn counseled putting her hand on the girls shoulder, ”Even you.”

'Even me? How? I've done everything so wrong.' Tears started rolling down her cheeks as she reflected more and more on what MaryAnn said.

”It's up to you what you want to do. I'll be in my office finishing up some work. When you're ready, just stop by. Or not, if RGST isn't right for you.” She said putting the leaf she had into Ryela's hand. She got up to leave, but stopped. ”Oh I forgot to ask. What's your name dear?”

The lost girl shrugged her shoulders and looked back down.

”Oh everyone as a name.”

”Not me.” She paused. ”All I remember is the first letter… 'r'”

MaryAnn gave deep thought for a little bit. Then her face lit up. ”What about R.. Rachel?”

The girl shook her head in grief.

”Riley?”

She shook her head again.

Oh I know. What about Ryela? I've always wanted to name my child that.”

The girls face lit up. ”I like it… Ryela..”

”Well I'll be going, Ryela.” MaryAnn smiled walking back in.

After about an hour, Ryela slowly made her way back inside. She walked around kinda confused about what room she was in and ended up bumping into Marly and knocking the papers she had onto the floor.

”Oh, I'm so sorry!” she stressed backing up.

”No your good boo, I've been like a zombie the past few days, no sleep has me bumping into everything.” Marly yawning, ”Um, I don't think I know your name.”

Ryela paused and her demeanor was low, but then she got happy. ”Ryela.”

”That's cool. Can I call you Rye? I always do nicknames,” Marly asked smiling at Ryela.

”Sure.” Ryela responded doubtfully.

The Marly started chatting and joked around a lot, and Ryela really got to know her. Marly tried and tried to open Ryela up as two days went by, and there friendship blossomed more and more. Marly showed Ryela around and introduced her to some of her friends. She even invited Ryela to bunk with her and Natalie. She was soon transferred into Group A2-which is Gabe's group- and they spent almost an entire day doing fun activities to make her feel comfortable. At the end of the day they became really good friends, but Ryela was stilled shut out.

By this time it was dinner and Marly, Ryela, Gabe, Natalie, and Izon was sitting in the cafeteria conversing and eating, but Ryela was zoned out. 'I can't believe I've still stayed here. It's like they forgot everything about our first meeting. These people are still weird through.'

”Rye? You good, boo? You seem to do that 'thing' a lot.” Marly asked.

”What?” questioned Ryela.

”That 'thing'.”

”Yeah, I noticed you do that a lot too.” Natalie chipped in.

”What?” blabbed Ryela.