"Ray, wake up now,"
"Ray, wake up now!"

She opened her eyelids slowly then felt the sudden itch that she shut it once more and scratched her lashes with the back of her palm. The blurry images in front of her became vivid as she began to force her eyes to open. It was a picture of old Martha Grey, hanging on the faint yellow wall.

That wake up call must've been ringing in her head.

When she had finally come up to her perfect senses, she stood up and staggered across the end of the wing, peeping into little Milla's room as though she was assigned every morning to do daily inspection on her. Milla lay, scarcely making a ripple under the bedclothes with her face toward the window, whistling some Hannah Jone's tunes. Ray shook her head bitterly and marched toward the empty sink at the corner of the wing. It was her birthday today, and coincidently, it was Milla's. Just two years apart, won't tell the difference.

Lady Martha Grey was much earlier than everyone at the east dormitory, preparing something sweet and warm from the kitchen. Ray climbed down towards the kitchen, unable to beat the butter chocolate scent which came from the oven.

"Ray Knox!" Lady Martha Grey scowled, acknowledged by her presence. "Those are not for you. Now go and get Milla down at once!"

The sharp stern voice spoiled the mood of fluttering expectations with which she had yearned this morning. Lady Martha Grey had always favors Milla Jovich above anyone else in the orphanage and Ray was her least. Ray's face fell and heavily stomped her way upstairs to clean herself.

Later that day, it was the birthday time again. And Milla was surrounded at the dining table. There, at the center of it stood beribboned packages waiting to be open. Confectioneries and drinks were at the side of the presents. Lady Martha Grey only selected the best girls to sit next to Milla, while Ray sat at the far end of the table. The girls nearly fought to put their arms around Milla, to be her special friend. Laughing together, the girls pressed close to her. And only who stayed outside the ring was Ray, sadly alone, watching her from the distance.

The girls sang a birthday song for Milla, and some of them just patted Ray by the shoulder and manage a grin. Then, ceremonies concluded with the packages being unwrapped open. None for the poor old Ray.