From Broken Branches to New Roots

Chapter Three: Invitations

The next day at breakfast, a few people sat at their little tables, or went to the breakfast buffet. Fiore had arrived last like she always did. She wanted to take as much advantage of the free food while she had it. With now being abandoned by her parents, she needed to figure out a plan of what she'd be doing after this competition.

She moved past one of the tables as she entered the area where the buffet was inside. Fiore walked over to grab a tray, putting a plate on it. She was debating between toast or waffles. Walking over to the waffle making station and grabbing a small cup for her waffle batter.

Switching the machine on, nothing was coming out of it.

"Ugh, seriously?" She muttered, as she tried to switch it on again. No luck.

Clearly, the machine was empty.

Well, she didn't want a hot waffle anyways. She tossed the cup in a can. Walking over to where the bacon, eggs and sausages were. Opening up the bacon one first, grabbing with the tongs nearby to throw two slices onto her plate. Getting the rest of the scrambled eggs, and three sausages.

She walked to the mini fridge stocked with milk, juice, and yogurt. Grabbing one of each as she did. Next to the fridge was cereal, she grabbed one of the bowls and got herself some fruit loops.

Pausing as she felt someone was behind her, she took notice of Miriam.

"Are you here to lecture me again, old hag?"

Miriam returned an annoyed look.

"No, I was simply grabbing some orange juice." She told the little girl.

"Right, whatever," Fiore began to get ready to leave.

"Hold on." Miriam told her.

Fiore stopped in her tracks.

"What? Can't I eat in peace?" She looked at Miriam in frustration, her eyes still tired from the night before.

Miriam seemed conflicted for a few seconds but she returned to her neutral expression.

"Of course, I was just wondering...." She started to speak and trail off a little.

"About?" Fiore asked, her unamused face said everything she wanted to. Clearly, not having time to deal with Miriam and whatever she was going to talk about.

"If you'd like to join Connor and I for breakfast?" Miriam seemed hesitant.

Fiore seemed put off by this. What was her game here? Why was she inviting her to sit with them? Miriam knew Fiore went straight to her room to eat. She always did. They were finished with the game already, there wasn't a point in socializing with anyone.

"I don't think so. I don't have time to hang out with boomers." She walked away from Miriam and went straight back to her room.

Connor watched and got up to speak with Miriam.

"No luck?" He asked.

"She walked to her room, what do you think?" Miriam put her hands on her hips and gave an unimpressed look to Connor.

He quickly looked away awkwardly.

"R-Right, sorry," He chuckled.

The conversation caught Hunter's attention.

"You both trying to talk to her too?" He asked as the two stared at him. "I was trying to do that yesterday and it–"

Miriam stopped him right there.

"You shouldn't have asked her how your girlfriend is, that's something you and your girlfriend should talk about."

Hunter nodded at this, looking away shyly.