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Part 1
Well, there he was, sitting in a strange room, staring at the ceiling. He was here, but he wasn't here either. His thoughts were wandering back into the past. And that wasn't long ago!
Exactly four weeks ago, the world was still fine, but then from one minute to the next, everything changed. Suddenly, he was alone in this world. His parents had died in a car accident on the motorway.
Tears welled up in his eyes and he let out a deep sob. He no longer wanted to live; he just wanted to be with his parents. His relatives came, but they were only interested in how much money his parents had left him and when they realised there was nothing – except for a ridiculous insurance policy – they turned their backs on him and left him alone with his grief again. None of them wanted him.
He was shaken again and more tears were released. Suddenly the door opened and a wiry blond boy entered the room.
‘Hi, ohhhh, aren't you feeling well? Aren't you the new guy?’
The other boy looked at him questioningly and seemed to expect an answer, so he wiped the tears from his face and nodded.
‘Hello, yes, that's me. My name is Mark and you must be Kai?’
‘Yeah, that's me and we're sharing this room!’ Kai grinned at him and walked towards him.
‘If you want to talk, I'm always here for you!’
Mark looked gratefully at his new roommate and smiled briefly
‘Thank you.’
He couldn't say more, because tears were welling up in his eyes again.
‘Hey, it'll be alright. You'll see!’ Kai said, walking towards him and taking him in his arms shortly afterwards.
How good that felt, Mark thought, and another tear welled up.
‘Come on, let's go downstairs for now. It's supper time! But before we go down, you'll wash your face first, okay?’
Kai smiled at him and pointed to the bathroom door. Mark rose and went into the bathroom. There he washed his face and then looked in the mirror. There, a pale face with red-rimmed eyes beamed at him.
Mark had just turned fifteen and now he was sitting in this orphanage and just wanted to get away. But on the other hand, this Kai was quite nice.
‘Well,’ thought Mark, ’I'll just see how it goes and then I can always still run away.’
Kai was standing at the wardrobe and had just taken off his shirt when Mark entered the room. Oh man, thought Mark and he couldn't take his eyes off Kai.
‘I've never seen such a well-built, muscular body’
But what am I doing, he thought. But he couldn't help but stare at Kai's upper body again and again, until he covered it with a short-sleeved shirt.
Kai now turned around and said, ‘Well, let's go then!’
Mark swallowed and quickly looked down.
‘Yes,’ he said quietly, and followed Kai, who was already standing at the door.
Mark went downstairs behind Kai and thought to himself, what happened earlier? What is wrong with me? When he arrived downstairs, he could already hear the voices of the others. Kai turned around, looked at Mark briefly and a smile spread across his face.
‘Hey, come on, they're all right. You'll survive!’
Mark smiled shyly back and just nodded. Then Kai went on and opened a door with a sign that said ‘Kitchen’. Mark followed and then stood in front of the others in the kitchen.
Suddenly it became quiet and everyone looked at him. A boy got up from the table and said to him: ‘Hi, I'm Stephan and the one next to me on the left is Joseph and the little one next to Joseph is Phillip! Well, the remaining three can probably introduce themselves.’
Then another boy stood up.
‘Hello, I'm Fred, this is Karl on my left.’
Karl kept blinking his eyes and just said, ‘He..He..He..llo.’
Mark looked at Kai questioningly and Kai said, “Karl had a pretty shitty childhood. That's why he stutters quite a bit and the blinking probably comes from that too.’
‘Oh, I'm sorry,” Mark said to Karl.
But he just waved it off and after five tries said, ’It's okay!’ At the very back, a boy was still staring at him, but he made no move to get up, let alone say something.
‘This is our most difficult case!’ Kai said, smiling at Mark.
‘This is Stefan and he can't speak. Anyway, he's kind of a guardian angel for us. He takes care of everyone. He's like a big brother to us and the oldest in our group.’
Mark looked at Stefan and nodded.
‘Hello, I'm Mark and I'm one of you now!’
Stefan smiled at him and nodded.
‘So guys, let's go get something to eat!’ a woman's voice suddenly said behind Mark.
He turned around and looked at Marion. She was one of three teachers looking after the boys, and she was also there to meet Mark today.
‘Well Mark, have you all introduced yourselves yet?’
‘MMMMHH yes,‘ said Mark and sat down on the first chair and looked at the others.
Phillip looked at Mark and giggled; he was only about eight years old, Mark guessed.
‘Well, let's get started!’ Said Kai, and again there was a lot of noise and everyone was talking at once, except Stefan, who was watching Mark closely.
Mark looked at him briefly, but Stefan just looked at him and nodded. Then he grabbed a slice of bread and started to top it. Mark then started too and soon he was sitting at the table full like everyone else.
‘Now off to your rooms except for the kitchen duty. Who's up?’ Marion asked the group.
To which Kai and Fred said almost simultaneously: ’I am.’
‘Well then, come on guys, let's go!’
Everyone went to their rooms. Mark also got up and then said, ‘Can I help you?’
‘Sure,’ said Kai, throwing him a towel.
When they had finished washing up, Marion came into the kitchen and told Mark to come to her again briefly. Mark then followed Marion.
When they were in the teachers' study, Marion turned to Mark and said, ’So, tomorrow we're going to register you at the school. I'll see to it that I put you in the same class as Kai, so it won't be so hard for you.’
Mark swallowed and tears were welling up in his eyes again. Marion saw this and gave him a quick hug, saying, ‘It'll be fine. You'll see, it can only get better.’
How lucky Mark was with the group. He had heard so often how things were supposed to be in orphanages, but this was quite different. The first impression of the home was quite positive overall.
With these thoughts Mark went upstairs to his room. When Mark entered the room, Kai was already in bed asleep. Mark went to the bathroom and got ready for bed, then he went to his bed and lay down.
He couldn't fall asleep and the fear came up again; he thought about what would await him tomorrow at the new school. He started crying again. Suddenly he realised that someone had sat down on his bed and was gently stroking his back.
‘Hey, believe me. We've all had a hard time, but it's really okay here and the educators are great too.’
Mark looked gratefully at Kai and there it was again, that strange feeling. He couldn't put his finger on it and looked into Kai's blue eyes. Kai smiled and gave him a brief hug; again Mark felt so comfortable.
‘Well then, sleep well.’
With these words, Kai went back to his bed.
‘You, Kai!’
‘Mmmhh...?’, came from Kai, “what?’
‘Thanks for everything!’
‘No problem, now sleep. The night is short!’
‘Ok, then good night!’
With these words, Mark finally fell asleep.
‘Good morning, get up!” it suddenly crowed in the room.
Phillip, the smallest of the group, was standing in the room and then ran to Kai. He took him in his arms and then started to tickle the little one.
When Phillip couldn't breathe from laughing anymore, Kai stopped and said, ‘Well great, now get out and into the bathroom!’
Mark was also awake by now and got up.
‘Come on, Mark, we have to hurry. Otherwise we won't get any breakfast!’ So they both ran to the bathroom and started washing, but when Mark took off his shirt, Kai looked at him strangely. He stared at him.
Mark grinned and then said, ’What is it, do I have some kind of rash?’
‘Nooo...‘, Kai said somewhat hesitantly, quickly turned around and left the bathroom.
‘What was that about?’ Mark wondered, but then he didn't think about it any further.
He got ready, then went into the room and got dressed. Kai was no longer there; he must have already gone downstairs, Mark thought. And he too hurried now.
As they had done the night before, everyone was in the kitchen again. Mark went in, greeted everyone and sat down at the table, at which point Kai stumbled into the kitchen.
Stefan looked at Mark again in a funny way, but he was hungry first. So he grabbed a bun and had a hearty breakfast.
Then Marion came in and said, ‘Come on, guys, let's hurry up, school's calling!’
And to Mark she said: ‘Wait a little moment, we'll go to school together!’
Mark nodded and went upstairs. Kai was already in the room and put on his jacket.
‘Hey Kai, hopefully I'll be in your class.’
‘Well that would be great. I'm really happy if it works!’ said Kai, smiling at Mark.
Mark looked at Kai and again had that feeling and suddenly couldn't help himself, he went up to Kai and gave him a quick hug. Kai had gone completely red in the face and Mark had to laugh.
Kai joined in the laughter. When they had calmed down again, they went downstairs where the others were already waiting.
‘Well then, come on, guys! Mark, come on, we have to go!’ said Marion, and off they went.
Phillip, the youngest, talked about his school friends the whole way to school. Then they were standing in front of the school.
Marion said goodbye to the others and then took Mark aside and said, ‘Well then, let's go into the lion's den!’ She grinned and went with Mark into the building where the others had disappeared shortly before.
Mark followed Marion and soon they were standing in the headmaster's antechamber. An elderly lady was sitting at a desk. She looked briefly at Mark and then at Marion.
‘Well, have you found another home?’ she said to Marion.
‘Yes, this is Mark and he has been with us since yesterday. His parents were killed in a car accident and, as is often the case, none of their relatives wanted to take him in. Well, now he's with us.’
‘I'm very sorry to hear that! Oh, my name is Mrs Plenk and if you have a problem, you can come to me anytime,’ she said to Mark.
Mark nodded gratefully. Suddenly a door opened and a small, stocky man entered the room.
‘Ahh Marion, there you are and this is your new boy? Well then, off to the parlour.’
The man smiled openly at Mark and Mark breathed a sigh of relief. Thank God, he seemed to be the headmaster and he was quite likeable. When they were in the room and had taken a seat, the headmaster began to speak.
‘So Mark, my name is Mr Klettner and I am the headmaster of this school. Your old school sent us your records and you're not too bad. You have decent grades, so I think we won't have any problems together.’
Mark nodded.
‘Well then, we'll see which class we put you in!’
‘Oh,’ said Marion, ’it would be great if you could put Mark in with Kai. He's in year nine too!’
‘Well, that was my suggestion too. Well then, Mark. Let's go and see your new class!’
Mr Klettner stood up and went to the door. Mark and Marion also stood up.
Just before they left the headmaster's office, Marion gave Mark a quick hug.
‘It'll be fine. Good luck on your first day of school!’
Mark nodded and followed the director. Shortly thereafter, they were standing in front of the classroom door. Before Mr Klettner opened the door, he nodded to Mark. Then they were already in the classroom and the others in the class looked at Mark with interest.
‘So, this is Mark and he will be your new classmate. Oh yes, he lives in the orphanage like Kai, so try to be friendly with him so that he settles in well here! See you guys!’
Mr Klettner then left the classroom and Mark stood alone in front of the class.
‘Well then, sit with Kai for now. Then we can continue with the German lesson. My name is Mr Fechner and I teach German and maths to you!’
Mark then went to Kai's table and took a seat. The others looked at him quite interested.
‘So guys, now stop gawking, you'll have plenty of time to get to know Mark during the break.’
A few girls giggled and then turned around.
‘Well, it's not that bad, is it?‘ Kai said to Mark and smiled at him.
Mark just nodded and then started unpacking his things.
‘Oh, Mark, you'll get your textbooks after class. Kai can let you look at his book,’ said Mr Fechner, starting his lesson.
Man, thank God, the first day of school at the new school was over and the new classmates were all great; above all, it was great that Kai was in the class. With these thoughts, Mark went back to the home with Kai.
‘So how was the first day?’ Marion asked as soon as he arrived at the home.
‘Great and the classmates are also quite nice!’
‘Well, I'm glad! Oh, before I forget: Till wants to meet you too. If you have time later, just come to our room.’
‘Who's Till?‘ Mark asked.
‘He's one of our educators. He, Marion and Inge look after us! Till is all right and so is Inge. It's just that Inge is a bit stricter with us than the other two!’ Kai replied.
Then they went to their room and did their homework together. Since Mark was quite good at maths and Kai had real problems with it, Mark helped Kai with the tasks and explained everything to him.
When they were finished, Kai looked at him thoughtfully.
‘I like you quite a bit, even though you've only been with us for a day!’
‘I feel the same way and thanks for helping me out yesterday!’ Mark said in response.
Kai just smiled and looked at him again in such a strange way. Mark felt that feeling starting up in him again and he thought again, ‘Man, what's wrong with me?’ Just then the door opened and Stefan was standing in the room.
‘Hi Stefan!’ said Kai and got up from the table. Stefan nodded and then went up to Mark and held out his hand.
‘Hello!’ Mark replied. Stefan then handed him a piece of paper.
Mark looked at the note and read: “Hello Mark, glad to welcome you to our group.’
Mark smiled at Stefan and just said to him: ”Thanks!’
Stefan smiled at Mark and then left the room. Kai looked after Stefan for a moment.
‘Man, he's never done that with the newcomers before. You can really pat yourself on the back for that. He likes you!’ said Kai, looking thoughtfully at Mark.
When Mark lay in his bed that evening and thought about the day, he was a little happy again for the first time in a long time. He fell asleep with these thoughts.
____________________________________________________
The next day went quite well for Mark. Some classmates had invited him and Kai to a party that was to take place at Ingo's on Saturday. He was really looking forward to it.
Marion and Till didn't mind them going there, but they had to promise to be back at the home by 11:00 p.m. at the latest.
‘And don't come smelling of alcohol,’ Inge said.
But she was, like the other two, a heart of soul, especially little Phillip, who, when Inge was around, was never far from her side. Then it was finally Friday and in the evening, the only thing Kai and Mark talked about was the party and what they should wear.
Mark had some pretty cool clothes thanks to his parents, so he helped out Kai, who didn't have such great things, with his things. Mark decided on a tight-fitting shirt and a great pair of jeans that looked pretty good on him. They chose the same things for Kai. When they had finished deciding what to wear to the party, they went downstairs to dinner, where the whole gang was already waiting for them.
Kai and Mark were pretty close. They were always referred to as the twins, because wherever one of them was, the other wasn't far away. Mark felt more and more attracted to Kai, although he couldn't put his finger on what he found so great about Kai.
Kai felt the same way. He had finally found a friend with whom he could share everything. Nevertheless, there was something that Kai would have liked to say to Mark, but he didn't dare. He was afraid of what Mark would do if he told him.
On the other hand, he was afraid of losing him. After dinner, they both lay in their beds and talked a little more.
‘Mark!’
‘Hmm, yes?’
‘I have to tell you something...’
‘What is it, Kai?’
‘Since you've been here, I've been feeling really good. I'm really glad you're here. Sure, I'm sorry about your parents! But I'm really glad you're here. I like you a lot!’
Mark thought about how much he liked Kai and why. He had so many thoughts running through his mind that he didn't even notice that he was starting to cry. Suddenly he felt Kai sit down on his bed.
‘Hey Mark, you don't have to cry. If I hurt your feelings with what I just said, I'm sorry!’
Mark began to tremble, tears rolled down his face and he looked up at Kai.
Then he just said, ‘No, Kai, I feel the same way!’
‘Can I come to your bed?’ Mark asked Kai.
Instead of answering, Mark moved a little so that there was room for Kai too. Kai lay down next to Mark and took him in his arms. Mark cried a little longer, but then he fell asleep in Kai's arms. And Kai himself was happy to hold Mark in his arms.
There was only one thing he hadn't told Mark; he wanted to tell him that he had fallen in love with Mark, but not that night. Then Kai fell asleep too.