Orange

Orange. The name I had been given by a human.

I didn’t know why I was named Orange.

It did not sound like how it was spelt.

I didn’t know what it meant..or why it was why it was. But it was my name. And I liked it.

Everytime the human came, they poked at my tank to scare me even though I only flinched, and the human sat down on something that looked soft and comfy. I wouldn’t know how it felt. I’ve never felt it. Never had I been so serious. But Zebra and Red had died..their deaths effected all of us. I was not happy with Mr. Oscar Sr. though. He went on from their deaths like it didn’t happen!

I looked back at the human, and then noticed two younger humans coming to sit next to them. I could barely understood them but they as calm as before and the small humans left. Then the human looked at me, “I drew you, Orange. And everyone else, even Red and Zebra. I have to remember you all even when you die.” I only understood part of what they said but I continued to swim around.

This human appeared, took care of us and even talked to us, before disappearing for a long time. Then the cycle repeated. Over and over. I wonder if the human would ever disapper and not come back. That scared me..and what if the twins died? Or rude, quiet, Mr. Oscar Sr.? Or what about his young son, Oscar Jr.? What if I was all alone when I died? I didn’t want to be alone..my best friends had already died..what if I was next? I’m smaller than everyone else but Oscar Jr. yet I’m just skinnier than him!

“Hey, hey, Orange.” I looked back at the human and they pulled out something. “This is you.” I saw a weird looking thing they were showing me and a human drawn on it with a weird looking color. I looked at it before turning away. “And Red and Zebra too.” I turned around again and saw two more humans on the weird looking thing! They looked like Red and Zebra! My two best friends! Red has always been fiesty but he cared about us! Zebra was very kind and helpful! They were the best! I noticed two shapes above both of my friends that wasn’t above me. “I made them like angels because you know..they died but they were so special..” I only caught a few words but I understood ‘angel’, ‘died’, and ‘special’.

My friends were special angels who died!

I became happier thinking about my best friends, that time went by..and the human had to leave again. They tapped the glass one last time. “Goodbye, Orange. Bye, everyone. See you next time.” I made a circle and saw them disappear.

Okay, see you next time! Bye, human!