𝑀𝑒𝒶𝓃 𝐼𝓉- Cole Walter

Chapter 3

The car jolted around, bumping up and down entering a stone driveway. "We are here!" said Katherine. Looking out the window as the car turned around a corner a big yellow house came into view with surrounding fields filled with horses, a big barn and a lot of kids. All the kids were sat outside of the house looking like they were waiting for our arrival, it was sort of intimidating. As Katherine and George got out of the car I remained in my seat, I've been to many homes and have been introduced to many temporary siblings but this, this was a lot to take in. "Come on Sweetie, I'll introduce you to everyone," Katherine said. I nervously unbuckled my seatbelt and got out of the car, my foot hitting the bumpy floor.

"Hey everyone, this is Delilah, Delilah this is everyone!" Everyone waved at me except for one boy who didn't look up from his phone the entire time. She took me around them all and slowly introduced me them, "This is will, he's our eldest he doesn't live here, he lives with his fiancee but he's around a lot to help with the little kids. These are our youngest Benny, Parker and Jordan." I said hi to them they all were having fun playing but Jordan was running around with a camera, I didn't say anything trying not to be rude. she took me over to a table where 3 boys where sitting playing a game of sorts, "This is Lee, Nathan and Isaac," We moved to where a boy was sitting on the steps reading a book, "and this is our little bookworm, Alex," he stared at me not saying anything but then eventually said hi. Then she took us back round to the boy who hadn't initially said hi to me who was still engulfed in this phone, "and finally this is Cole," he was silent "Cole don't be rude say hello to Delilah," he looked up also just staring at me, I couldn't take my eyes off of him, he had dirty blonde hair that fell onto his face and piercing green eyes, he was tall and muscular, I didn't know where to look or what to say "Hey," he finally said after what felt like 5 minutes, but there was something inside me that didn't say anything we were just left staring at each other.

Katherine finally broke the awkward silence, "Anyways now that you've met everyone let's get you settled in, Cole can you help her with her stuff?" "Oh no I don't have much honestly I can bring it up myself," I said not wanting to cause any trouble for anyone, "Its fine, happy to help," Cole said, he got up and walked over to the trunk opening it up, he looked over, "is this all you have?" "Yeah, I'm a light traveller I guess," I said feeling embarrassed. He looked over again shrugged his shoulders and brought everything inside to the house while Katherine started to give me a tour of the house.

It was a beautiful house filled with lots of happy kids running about, I had a good feeling about this one I think I'll be treated well here, anyways there's lots to keep me distracted and they seem like good people. Katherine lead me up the stairs there was only a few rooms all of which I presumed where everyone's bedrooms, "the oldest kids get their own rooms so we put a bed up In my old art room and some furniture, it's not completely cleared out yet but we will get it sorted out for you," "oh no I don't want to be taking over your space I'm happy to share a room if I need to," "honestly sweetie I have no time to paint I haven't picked up a brush in over a year, your happiness is more important anyways." I didn't know what to say so I followed her into the room, it was so beautiful, she had painted the walls full of murals it was the prettiest room I have ever stayed in, and it smelled like lavender. "It's beautiful thank you so much," I said. "I hope you like it; I'll give you some time to settle in dinner will be ready soon." She walked out as I looked all around me the view outside of the window was breathtaking it just looked so peaceful.

I was still staring out the window when I heard someone clearing their throat, I turned around and there he was. He carried my 2 suitcase and my backpack over his shoulders. "here's your things," he said. "Thanks," I said. He set me things down, "So where are you from?" "New York," "New York, that's far what brings you all the way out here?" "Honestly I don't know I'm in the foster care system, so I just go wherever they tell me I have to go," "Oh, how many times have you had to move?" "I've lost count," I said laughing but he wore a serious expression on his face, "I usually move every month or so, I get places into a foster family then they get bored after a month, so I get put back into a foster home and do it all over again I guess." I go onto explain myself further. "Well, I think your here to stay for good mom hasn't stopped talking about you she's been so excited for you to come, anyways I better get back down there, I'll see you around, New York." He left closing the door behind him...New York? What was that all about? There was something about this family and for the first time in almost 10 years I finally felt like I might have a small chance of not having to go back to a foster home, for a while at least.

As soon as I heard George call out that it was dinner, I bolted downstairs I was starving, seeing everyone sitting at their seats at the table I didn't know where to go, Cole seen me looking confused and got up and pulled me and extra chair over beside him. "Here you can sit on this one," I smiled and sat down, and Katherine handed me over a huge plate of food, I think this is the best meal I've ever seen in person, I took a bite, and it tasted even better my eyes immediately lit up. Cole must've seen, "You can't beat mom's cooking," he said, we both laughed and carried on eating.

When everybody finished, we all got up and helped clean up, I was walking back to my room when I saw a picture on the wall, it was my father and George...