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The head of St Sorokin’s orphanage, Mother Inessa, only allowed the girls to visit town once a week, which made it a very special occasion. It was nearing the end of March, and summer had come early, the air was hot and humid and Aleksandra felt like she was practically melting underneath her thick cotton shawl. Like every Sunday, Sister Kiska was escorting the girls on their weekly trip to the church. As they walked through the marketplace, Aleksandra couldn't help but feel a great sense of envy when she saw a group of young boys run past her. They heartily giggled away kicking their ball through the mud. Why didn’t they have to wear itchy fabric on their heads? When it was mandatory for women and girls to wear one when out in public. Why were they allowed to get their clothes all muddy? When Mother Inessa would scold Aleksandra for getting even a speck of dirt on her already moth-bitten clothes. Why was it all so unfair? Thought Aleksandra. "Your face looks like you stepped in dog poo," her best friend, Anya, whispered beside her. "What?" "Why else would your face look like this?" she scrunched up her face, trying to mimic her friend. This caused Aleksandra to burst out laughing. "Quiet!" Sister Kiska scolded, giving her a displeased glare. Once Sister Kiska turned back around, the two girls shared a look and tried their very best to suppress their laughter. In the heat, the long walk to the church had become unbearable. The hot weather had also intensified the smell of all the freshly baked goods in the stalls. This made Aleksandra's stomach grumble. The last time she ate was which was Saturday morning, which was a meal consisting of one slice of stale bread and a half-rotten apple.