Sixteen years ago....
In St. Evelyn's Home For Children.
The soft wind rustled the leaves in the backyard of St. Evelyn's Home for Children. The sun was bright, casting long shadows of children playing in the well-tended grass. Birds chirped somewhere overhead, a peaceful backdrop to the hum of laughter and youthful cheer.
A small group of children gathered near the backyard's large oak tree - Ricky, Ellie, Devonte, Jayden, and Victoria - all surrounding a quiet but sharp-eyed boy: little Ian.
He sat cross-legged on the grass, hands folded neatly in his lap, eyes focused, distant.
Though among friends, he seemed lost in thought, contemplating the math puzzle Ricky had failed to solve.
"You're doing it wrong," Ian said, picking up a stick and drawing numbers in the dirt. "Carry the one over, then subtract." He explained with such clarity that even Jayden, ever skeptical, raised an eyebrow, surprised.
"Dang," Devonte muttered. "You're like a little genius or something."
Before Ian could respond, the backdoor to the orphanage creaked open. Ms. Marlene Whitaker, the loving matron of the home, appeared with a basket overflowing with school supplies.
Her smile was as warm as the day. "Kids! Look what we got!" she called. The children ran up eagerly. "A kind couple donated all these supplies. They're planning to adopt soon. A boy and a girl. They haven't decided who yet, but they wanted to help anyway."
The children squealed with joy, grabbing books, notebooks, colored pencils, math worksheets, and fresh coloring books. Ellie hugged a glittery notebook like it was treasure. Ricky held up a calculator like a trophy.
But Ian didn't budge. Nor did Victoria.
The two sat beside the tree, watching the others. Their eyes met, a quiet understanding passing between them. Victoria leaned her head against the bark, sighing.
"You ever think we'll make it out of here?" she asked.
Ian blinked. "You mean adopted?"
She shook her head. "I mean, really make it out. Make our dreams happen. I wanna be an actress. Hollywood, big lights, red carpet. I wanna star in romance films... sci-fi too. The kind that makes people feel something. But how? I don't even have parents. No one's gonna support some orphan girl chasing fairytales."
Ian tilted his head, thoughtful. "You have me. That's enough. I'll support you. Until the very end of Earth."
Victoria laughed through her nose, a soft snort. "You're so cheesy."
"Maybe," Ian shrugged. "But I mean it."
Just then, Ellie popped up behind them with a mischievous grin. "Oooooh, lovebirds!" she sang.
Ian's cheeks flushed. "No, we're not!" he shouted, leaping to his feet. Ellie darted off, giggling as Ian gave chase.
"Get back here, Ellie!"
Victoria watched, giggling herself. She wasn't sure when her cheeks had turned pink too.
Ricky joined in, shouting, "Lovebirds! Lovebirds!" before running away laughing.
Six months passed...
The orphanage had grown quieter since that fateful afternoon. One sunny morning, a sleek black car pulled into the driveway.
Out stepped Mr. and Mrs. Everhart, polished and professional. Known for being successful Hollywood agents and renowned business moguls based in Los Angeles, the Everharts were well-respected donors at St. Evelyn's.
Marlene came out to greet them with a gracious smile. "Mr. and Mrs. Everhart. Always a pleasure."
"We've made our decision," Mrs. Everhart said.
Inside, children whispered. The name bounced around like a ping-pong ball. Ricky guessed Jayden. Devonte guessed Ellie. But hearts froze when it was announced:
Victoria. And...
Ian.
Ian was stunned. So was everyone. The Everharts were only planning to adopt one boy and one girl. Ian hadn't expected to be that...boy.
Victoria was overjoyed. Her laughter echoed like bells. She grabbed Ian's hand, tears in her eyes. "Can you believe this?! We're going together! This is a dream! A real one!"
Ian nodded, quietly. The air in his chest felt tight.
The farewell was tearful. Ricky hugged Ian and promised to beat him in chess someday. Devonte handed Ian his lucky comic book. Ellie… Ellie didn't speak. She hugged Ian and wouldn't let go.
"Write to us," she whispered.
"I promise," Ian said.
Victoria blew kisses as they drove away, her hand out the car window, smiling like the sun.
Six months passed.
Rain fell in soft drizzles as the same sleek black car returned. It parked. The door opened.
Out stepped Ian. Alone.
Ms. Marlene stood on the porch, confused and concerned.
Mr. and Mrs. Everhart exited next. Faces tight with politeness, they carried Ian's bag like it was someone else's problem.
"What happened?" Ms. Marlene asked gently.
"He just... isn't the right fit for our home," Mr. Everhart said.
"It's for the best," added Mrs. Everhart.
They didn't say goodbye. They didn't hug him. They just left.
Ian stood in the drizzle, soaked and silent.
Marlene took him inside, offering a towel. She knelt in front of him, gently cupping his face.
"Sweetheart. What happened? Why'd they bring you back?"
Ian looked down.
"We just... told each other I love you. That's all."
"And...and, Mom and Dad heard us."
Marlene's brows furrowed. "You and... Victoria?"
Ian nodded with a tear on his eyes. "I don't why they were being angry.....it's just..."
Ms. Marlene suddenly gave Ian a warm, tight hug.
He said nothing more.
Later that night, as the rain continued to patter on the roof, Ian sat on his bunk bed, a picture of them. Him, Victoria, Mr and Mrs. Everhart clutched in his fingers.
She promised that she'd fought for them, but...she didn't.
She just stayed silent and passive when their adoptive parents found out that their in love.
But after that night, Ian easily accepted that he will never see Victoria again.
And Ian stopped believing in fairytales. Better to believe what's real.
Back in the present, Ian's fingers curled slightly as he watched the TV screen from the orphanage's couch.
The image of a radiant, successful woman - Victoria Everhart - smiled back at him from a Hollywood talk show.
His past never really left.
It just waited.
In silence, in echoes, in dreams.