Secela stared down at her breakfast of watery broth and bread, not feeling hungry at all after what happened last night. But she ate anyway, knowing that she’d be hungry later. After all, the orphanage couldn’t afford a midday meal. Secela and Ina ate away from everyone else. Secela wondered if Ina was mad at her, but she said nothing. Once she was finished eating, she brought her bowl and plate over to the counter and sink on one side of the orphanage’s dining hall. She rinsed them in hot soapy water, then put them away in a nearby cupboard. Ina came over, her face impossible to read, and did the same. One by one, the other orphans came over and set their dishes down on the counter until Secela and Ina had four quite tall stacks of bowls, plates, and spoons. They must have been told that they were supposed to leave the dishes to Secela and Ina today, instead of cleaning their own dishes. Then the orphans filed out until Secela and Ina were the only ones in the dining hall.

                “Are you mad at me?” Secela asked quietly after a few minutes. Ina sighed.

                “This whole stupid plan was your idea. This is all your fault

                “My fault?” Secela exclaimed. “It was your idea to run! My plan was working until you had to make all that noise!”

                “It was still your plan in the first place,” Ina huffed. “We would’ve been fine just staying here at the orphanage!”

                “Oh, so you want to just keep watching other kids get adopted, scrubbing floors, doing chores, and hardly knowing anything about what else is outside the orphanage walls?”

                “At least we have food and clothes and a bed here! Who knows what we would find outside the walls?”

                “You could’ve told me that you didn’t like my plan earlier!” Secela retorted angrily.

                “When you told me, you made it sound like it was going to work and everything was going to be fine!” shouted Ina.

                “It was until you ruined it!” Secela said again.

                “Whatever.” Ina threw down the rag she had been using to dry a plate, storming out of the dining hall. Secela continued to wash and dry dishes furiously, repeating the process in a daze. Rinse, clean, dry, repeat.

                What if we never speak to each other again? Secela wondered. What if she makes new friends and forgets about me? What if she and I are never friends again? Secela started to cry, sinking down onto the ground, and burying her face in her hands. Ina’s my best friend– no, she’s my only friend, she thought. What happens now?