Lost Treasures

Five

EMORY

After finding out ours teams (I was on Black), we were given a list with our room number and roommates' names. A metal key was taped to the paper; I guessed that's how we'd get into our rooms.

I scanned the paper, reading off every girl's name to myself. Obviously, I wasn't going to know anyone on it, but I was still curious.

The names were Madisyn, Hilary, Hanna, Nora, and our counselor, Jess. I recognized Madisyn's name from my team, and was excited for that. I'd have someone to walk to all the games with, and maybe even sit with in the cafeteria.

Speaking of, I was starving. Luckily, dinner started at six, and it was nearing that time. First, we had to unpack.

I didn't have much to bring, just a sleeping bag, throw blanket, and one pillow for my bunk bed. Bravely, I asked Madisyn if she wanted to share a bunk.

"Sure! You're Em...ory, right?"

"Yes."

"Great! Sorry, there's so many different 'Em' names. My sister's name is Emmy, and then there's Emma, Emily...you get the picture."

"Yeah," I laughed. "At least you got it right on the first try. Most people don't. And my nickname is Emmy, so you can call me either one."

"I'll just call you Emory, so I don't get you mixed up with my sister."

"Is she here, too?" I asked curiously.

"Yeah, she'll be a sophomore this year. What about you?"

"What grade? Oh, I'm done with school. I just took my GED."

"Oh, lucky! I still have a year left."

"Where do you live?" I asked.

"Iowa. I'm from The Crossing. How 'bout you?"

"I'm from Missouri, actually. My grandma drove me here since we're only, like, an hour from Lake Tishomingo."

"Oh, cool. Do you have any siblings?"

"Yeah, one. His name is Ezra. He's a baby." I went to pull out my phone, then realized no one was supposed to know I still had it. The administration had let me keep it (with restrictions on when), for Ezra's sake. "Oops, forgot I don't have my phone. I brought a picture of him with me, though.... Let me find it."

I rummaged around in my suitcase until I found the plastic bag of photos. There were just three. One of my grandma, one of Ezra, and the one of my dad. My mom had no idea, but I stole her picture of him a few years ago, and I keep it by my bedside every night.

I pulled out the photo of Ezra to show Madisyn.

"Aw, he's so cute!" She glanced up, then looked back down at the picture. "Woah, he looks just like you!"

"You think so?" I said, hiding the nervousness in my voice.

"Yeah, he's like your mini me. He's adorable."

"Thanks. I mean, yeah, he's really cute."

"I bet it's nice to get away from him for the week, though. Do you have to watch him a lot? You mentioned something about your grandma..."