following footsteps - a kotlc fan fiction

Chapter 1

Hii! This is my first story so please don't judge lol! If you follow me, or look at my profile you know I love Keeper of the Lost cities so I wanted to write something! Enjoy!

The car was silent as Mom drove away from our house. She hadn't been clear where we were going, and just said "a trip". I looked out the window and watched cars zoom by. It had been a week since Dad's funeral and Mom had been quieter than usual. She acted strange, always tapping and taking calls on a little sliver square.

"Mom?" I asked. She glanced at me through the rear view mirror and didn't respond. Ugh. I grumbled under my breath. She didn't even answer questions anymore!

My suitcase clacked against the car door and Mom rolled into a driveway. Where were we? Did the trip already end? Because a 10 minute car trip is not what I was expecting. I looked around trying to look for a sign.

"Kallie let's go. Get out of the car please." Mom said quietly. It was the first time she talked the whole car ride.

"Uh...ok. Where are we?" I grabbed my suitcase and stepped out of the car. I looked at Mom waiting for her to come out.

She didn't look at me. "I'm sorry sweetie."

Then she backed out of the driveway and drove off. What. The. Heck. Was this some daycare or something? I turned around and looked at the building. It was old and vines covered most of it. A sign was covered by leaves and I carefully brushed them off. The Hanks Orphanage, 213 Emeterio Dr. AN ORPHANAGE?! Was my mom out of her mind!?

I was about to pull out my phone when I heard someone.

"Hey are you the new person arriving today?" I looked toward his direction and saw a cute boy with blond hair. He was sitting against the orphanage wall, looking at me.

I blinked. "Um yeah? I think so...my mom kinda just left me here."

He got up and walked to me. "Well you're in the right place! I'm Riley." He stuck out his hand and smirked.

I reached for his hand, "Kalli- Hey!" Riley avoided my hand and just whacked my softly on the head. He laughed as I blushed. I looked up and we locked eyes. His eyes were a piercing ice blue. Dang, those eyes... We heard a lady jogging down the stairs and both looked over, breaking eye contact.

"Hello Miss Song. I see you've met Riley." She sighed as she glanced at Riley. Huh, guess he's a trouble maker. "Welcome to the Hanks Orphanage. I'm Ms. Bandy. I'll explain more with you later. Riley would you show her the room?"

Riley saluted and smirked, "Yes ma'am!" I chuckled. He lead me into the orphanage and I was surprised at the beauty of the building. It was modern and marble tiles on the floor and shiny stairs. I have no idea what they're made of, but dang. Chandeliers hanged from the ceiling and Riley stopped under the biggest one.

"One time a little 6 yr old threw his toy up there and it got stuck. He was like WAHHHH MY TRAINNN!" Riley dramatically fell to the ground. I laughed.

"He must've been sad. Did they get it out?" I reached out a hand to help him up, but then let him go. Riley fell back on his butt and pouted, "Hey!"

"Yeah they did but his train was covered in sparkles." He got up and walked up the shiny stairs.

I followed him up and we walked past lots lots lost and lots of room. We finally reached the one and I peeked into the room. It wasn't big for an orphanage room but it could fit 4 beds. I saw 3 other girls sitting on their beds. They were doing TikTok's and barely looked at me. But when they saw Riley they immediately rushed over. He was also popular..i figured. I mean he's funny and really cute- Ack.

One girl with curly red hair pressed against Riley and kept smiling at him. Something flared up in me..was it jealousy?

"Heyyyy Rileyyy! Hehhe." The red head flirted with him. Riley glanced at her, "Oh...hi Layla." Layla looked crushed by his half hearted response but then returned to her wide smile.

Riley put his arm around me and I blushed. "This is Kallie. She's going to be staying here for a while." I could smell his cologne and turned even pinker.

The 3 girls looked me up and down and gave each other a disgusted look. I sighed and looked up at Riley. He smirked and patted me on the head. I blushed as he headed out the room. Layla snorted and I turned to her.

"Do you think you stand a chance?"

Hey! So this is the first chapter! I will try to update everyday but I'll be busy next week! I'll try to make the next one longer!