“Why are you crying?”

Esme turned around to see a boy. A bit taller than her. He had silky black hair and eyes the color of rust. 

“I'm lost and now I'm going to starve.” She cried. 

“Don't worry! I'm not lost. I can help! You won't starve.” He grabbed Esme’s hand and pulled her down the hall. After a few minutes they arrived at a room with a long table in the middle. Ceila and the man whose name she couldn't remember was there. As was Gene and four other boys. They all looked like the boy who had saved Esme’s life. All black hair and rusty eyes. All except one. The smallest boy was sitting next to Ceila. He had golden hair. Just like Celia. 

“Derek! What took you so long?” Ceila questioned. “I sent you to find her 30 minutes ago.” 

The boy still had Esme’s hand, “She was lost. I found her!” He smiled proudly. 

Celia smiled back at her son, “Good job. Esme come and sit, breakfast should be here any second.” She patted a seat next to her. Esme let go of Derek's hand and sat down. Derek went to his own seat between Victor, who’s eyes were glued to his phone, and the twins, who were quietly talking to one another. 

“So I see you’ve met Derek. This is Robin,” She pointed at the boy on her other side, “You’ve already met Gene. That is Victor, and those are the twins, Rilly and Lee.” Ceila motioned to the boys sitting around Derek. “Derek is the same age as you and Robin’s only a year younger. I think you three will get along.” 

The doors opened again. A bunch of people came with platters filled high with various different foods. Esme immediately spotted the pancakes. Her mouth watered as she watched a woman bring in a plate stacked tall with golden brown cakes with spects of color in them. The woman placed the platter right in front of her. 

“I heard you liked fruity pancakes” Celia chuckled as she watched Esme hold herself back from pulling the platter closer. Esme instead took two off the top and onto her plate. She grabbed a bottle of syrup and proceeded to drown her pancakes. She grabbed her fork and started to stuff as much as she could fit into her mouth. Soon she was going back for seconds. Soon she was full. 

She didn't quite know what to do. She didn't know how to get back to her room, and she didn't want to ask anybody to show her. She just sat at the table and looked out a window on the other side of the room. 

“Do you want to come and play with us in the garden Esme?” Derek said, “ Me and Robin are going outside.” Esme looked over to Derek who was standing at the doorway.

“Sure”