Life Designed (Life Plan Series Book 1) by Eliza Taye (mini ebook reader TXT) 📕

the building allowing Opal to see children’s heads peering outside in spurts before dashing away.

Opal couldn’t help smiling again as Danny ushered her inside the building. This was the reason why she’d decided to become a lawyer. She wanted to help kids like Danny and all the other ones living in the shelter. Unlike the Decided, the Undecided lived a life of complete uncertainty. They never knew what job they would have, when they’d have kids and how many there would be. They weren’t guided by the preordained lives of the Decided but instead lived a day-by-day existence. The only crimes in the city were committed by the Undecided, but Opal felt that some of them did it by necessity, not out of a desire to be criminals.

Of course, some lawyers would represent the Undecided, but many of them weren’t as passionate about helping them out. The few that did were way too overworked. In her province, there were only five of them and she was intent on becoming the sixth. She knew about these people, cared about them. Little Danny and many others at the shelter had lost their parents when they were young and had no guidance in their lives beyond those that volunteered their time to help them. She wanted to be there for these kids and make sure they stayed out of trouble; teach them how to write a Life Plan so they didn’t have to live their entire lives like this. If it were up to her, she would prevent every child born into an Undecided family from living their entire life as an Undecided.

Opposite the doorway, a staircase led to the second floor. On either side of the wooden staircase were hallways leading to the back of the building. Children ran down the halls laughing and giggling. Two girls turned, noticed Opal, and scrambled over to hug her.

“Hi, Opal!” they exclaimed in unison, hugging her from either side.

“Hi, Annie and Minnie,” Opal wrapped an arm around each one and squeezed them gently.

Annie and Minnie were twins with auburn hair that reached down to their waists. At only four years old, they were the youngest children at the shelter. No one knew what had happened to their parents. Still, they were the kindest duo there. No one entered or left the building without getting at least two or more hugs from each of them: one when someone arrived, and one when they left. In Opal’s case, it was closer to clinging when she left along with a plea that she stay forever.

“Did Danny tell you about the surprise?” wondered Annie, her gray-green eyes shining.

“Yeah, did he?” pressed Minnie, gazing up at Opal with the same colored eyes.

“He said there was a surprise, but he didn’t tell me what it is yet.” Opal put her forefinger against her lips, indicating that the two girls shouldn’t tell.

“Yeah, don’t spoil it.” Danny’s happy face morphed into a frown as he peered at the twins.

“Don’t worry, Danny. I won’t let anyone spoil the surprise for me until you are all ready to show me.”

“Well come on, then,” urged Annie, grabbing Opal’s free hand and yanking her towards the back of the building. For such a little girl, Annie had a vice-like grip.

Between Annie and Danny, it wasn’t long before Opal was clambering down the steps to the backyard with the children.

“SURPRISE!” came a shout from a cacophony of children.

Opal nearly jumped at the sound when she saw three rows of children ordered with the smallest in front and the tallest in back grinning broadly and pointing above their heads. Annie, Minnie, and Danny hurried over to the kids and joined in.

Looking up, Opal read in big words, “CONGRATULATIONS, OPAL! YOU ARE OUR HERO, WE LOVE YOU!”

Not one to consider herself a softie, Opal was surprised when tears came to her eyes. She lost her battle with them and had to reach up to wipe them away when a hand was placed on her shoulder. Opal turned to see a woman about a head taller than her standing beside her.

“They were so proud and happy to do this for you. I tried to tell them that Declaration Day is still over a week away, but they insisted on giving you your congratulations today and celebrating.” The woman’s kind brown eyes mirrored the smile on her lips as Opal’s blurry vision made the image waver.

“Thank you, Mrs. Shaffer. They’re all so sweet.” Opal finished clearing the tears from her eyes.

“And we got you this too,” added Minnie, holding up a satchel. “It’s so you can carry all of your law books in.”

Opal reached down to take the light purple satchel from the young girl who was struggling to hold it up on her own. Embroidered on the top of the satchel were flowers in a variety of colors with a decorative design flowing along the seams. A long, thick strap ran from one side to the other with an adjustable buckle. “Thank you, everyone, but this is too much.”

Minnie adamantly shook her head. “No.”

Mrs. Shaffer spoke again, brushing a loose honey blonde hair streaked with a single silver lock back. “All the children did odd jobs around the city to raise enough money to buy you that. They even helped me put on a bake sale this weekend. When they were still short of money, Minnie, Annie, Danny, and Michael accosted people in the streets until they donated money for it.”

Opal bit her lip as her eyes began to burn. She didn’t want to start crying all over again. “Thank you all so much. I will repay you by tirelessly serving your community.”

“I don’t know what that means, but thank you, Opal.” Minnie hugged her again.

As Opal patted her back, the other kids rushed forward to embrace her in a big group hug. Mrs. Shaffer