The Hope Kids 𓆉 // A New Beginning

ch: 3 // welcome to toronto

Riley stumbled out of the plane, exhaustion pulling at her every step as she dragged her carry-on behind her. Her eyes stung from the lack of sleep, the plane ride from San Francisco to Toronto having been far from comfortable. She couldn't help but feel a pit of anxiety in her stomach, mixed with the excitement of being in a new city. Her parents led the way, and as they stepped outside into the chilly Toronto air, she tugged her hoodie tighter around her, squinting at the skyline in the distance.

"Come on, kiddo," her dad called, already at the rented car. "Let's get you settled in."

Riley forced herself to move, tossing her bag into the trunk before climbing into the backseat. She stared out the window as they made their way further into the city. The towering buildings, bustling streets, and unfamiliar sounds both thrilled and scared her. She snapped a few pictures with her disposable camera, the kind her mom got her for "old-fashioned fun," and tried to calm her nerves by adjusting her ponytail, hoping she looked okay.

"Wonder who I'm gonna live with..." she muttered to herself, chewing her lip.

After a long drive through downtown Toronto and past some quieter, more residential streets, they pulled up to a temple with a blue-tiled roof, surrounded by delicate cherry blossom trees in a peaceful courtyard. Riley blinked, feeling a lump form in her throat. This was nothing like the apartment buildings or houses she'd imagined.

Her dad turned around from the driver's seat with a smile. "It's only for two weeks, Riles."

"Two weeks is forever," Riley groaned, sinking back into her seat. She already regretted saying yes to this trip. What had she been thinking? A temple?

Her mom shot her a reassuring look. "You'll be fine. You're going to meet new people and experience a whole new culture. It'll be amazing."

Riley wasn't convinced, but she got out of the car, adjusting her bag strap over her shoulder. As they walked up to the large wooden door of the temple, Riley's heart raced. She glanced back at her parents as if pleading for one last out.

Her mom rang the doorbell, and within moments, the door swung open to reveal an elegant woman dressed in a qi pao, her black hair twisted in a graceful updo. Riley's breath caught in her throat. For a split second, she was scared, the woman's poised presence overwhelming. But then, something strange hit her, a familiar twinge she couldn't quite explain, like the emotion she got when she looked at those magazines she kept hidden under her bed.

The woman smiled warmly, her voice soft but commanding. "You must be Riley. Welcome." She glanced at Riley's blonde ponytail, her eyes lighting up. "What beautiful hair. My daughter has red in her hair, too—although hers is fully red."

Riley flushed, ducking her head. "Thanks..."

The woman gestured for them to come in, and as Riley's parents walked ahead, Riley hesitated for a moment, her feet glued to the steps. But the woman's inviting smile encouraged her forward. As soon as they stepped inside, Riley's jaw dropped. The temple, from the outside looking serene and traditional, opened up into what felt like another world. High ceilings, ancient Chinese décor, and ornate tapestries made the place look like a mansion from centuries ago. It was stunning.

Her parents exchanged surprised glances, clearly impressed. "Wow," her dad muttered. "This is incredible."

The woman led them through the halls, giving them a brief tour. She explained the history of the temple, and Riley's parents nodded along, making small talk. But Riley was distracted, her nerves fluttering every time she thought about meeting the daughter.

Finally, they arrived at a room with sliding wooden doors. The woman turned to Riley, her smile bright. "This will be your room. I hope it's to your liking."

Riley peeked inside, and her breath caught again. The room was gorgeous, with a low, elegant bed draped in silks, bamboo accents, and a window that looked out over the courtyard. It was like stepping into a fairytale.

"It's beautiful," Riley's mom said, patting her shoulder. "You'll be fine, honey. Right?"

Riley forced a small smile. "Yeah... I guess so."

The woman clapped her hands softly, calling into the hallway, "Mei! Bring the tea, dear."

A moment later, a girl with the most striking red hair Riley had ever seen stepped into the room, carrying a tray. She had long, flowing hair and wore a cool, grunge-inspired outfit that made her look effortlessly stylish. Riley's stomach flipped. She stared at the girl, feeling her face heat up.

"Hey, I'm Mei," the girl said with a bright smile, holding out her hand. Her voice was soft but had an edge of confidence.

Riley blinked, her heart pounding as she awkwardly reached out to shake Mei's hand. "I-I'm Riley," she stammered, feeling like a complete idiot.

Mei giggled, her eyes sparkling. "I like your streak," she said, nodding toward Riley's blonde hair.

It took Riley a moment to realize she was talking about her ponytail streaked with color. She laughed nervously. "Thanks."

Her parents chuckled softly from behind her, clearly thinking Riley was just being shy. But Riley's thoughts were racing, completely confused by the strange mix of emotions Mei stirred in her.

The woman, Mei's mom, watched the exchange with a knowing grin, her eyes twinkling.

"We'll leave you girls to get settled," Riley's mom said as they started to say their goodbyes. "We'll see you soon, okay, Riles?"

Riley nodded, her throat tight as she waved her parents off, feeling both relief and anxiety as they left.

As soon as they were gone, Mei set down the tray and smiled at Riley. "So, what's it like coming all the way from San Francisco?"

Riley shrugged, trying to get a hold of herself. "It's... different. I've never been to Canada before."

Mei nodded, sitting on the edge of the bed. "You'll like it here. The weather's cold, but the people are warm."

Riley couldn't help but laugh softly. Mei had such a natural way of making her feel at ease. They talked for a bit about random things—school, the flight, the differences between their cities. Riley found herself loosening up, even smiling genuinely.

As Mei stood up to take the empty tray away, Riley's eyes caught something—a 4Town logo on Mei's jacket. Her eyes widened, and she squealed without thinking, "You like 4Town?"

Mei whipped around, her face lighting up. "You like 4Town too? Oh my God, I'm obsessed with them!"

Riley grinned, feeling a wave of excitement rush through her. "They're, like, my favorite band!"

The two girls began chatting rapidly about their favorite songs, albums, and band members. Riley couldn't believe how easy it felt, and for the first time since stepping off the plane, she smiled, thinking maybe... just maybe, she might like it here more than she thought.