A String of Hope

Chapter 8

Dylan sat at the head of the table, casually eating his bacon. Avery was on one side, with Alex on his other. Everyone else was just... sitting.

The table was quiet, and the British had to squeeze more chairs in around the table.

"So," Chuck said slowly. "Introductions again?"

Lilly nodded. 

"Americans first," the girl with purple hair said smoothly, staring at Sean, who was being very still. He hadn't touched his eggs. Dylan was trying not to laugh at his unease.

The Hope (the Americans) introduced themselves one at a time, then it was time for the British to talk.

"I'm Jenna Hartings. I can read minds," the girl with the girl orange-brown hair said. "There are rules, so I can't just randomly read your mind. You're safe from me. I live in the mansion part time, and with my family all other times. Does that make sense?"

"The mansion?" Jacob interjected.

"The British's Villa," Marty purred.

"And I'm Daniel D'Quew," the boy with the glasses said. "I don't really have an official ability, but my sister, Dayanara, I, are half dragon. So... We can turn into dragons at will. I like to read. I was top of my class at school."

Agnes tried to hide a smirk.

"I'm William Masterson. Call me Will, though. I can do stuff with water. I'm amazing at it. I could call a tsunami right now if I wanted. I could be in the middle of Russia, and still make a hurricane," said the blonde boy. "I like to make friends. Not enemies."

Dylan could live with that.

"I'm Dayanara," said the girl with the purple hair. "Dayanara D'Quew. My little brother, Daniel, just summed up our backstory. Half dragon, yaaay! We live with Charles full-time."

"And that little boy," Avery put in. "Who's he?"

"Crosby Rogers," Charles barked. But it was a happy bark. "He's Six. Lime and him have been friends forever."

Jenna coughed, but it sounded like she said "I ship."

"Crosby can heal any and all wounds," Charles continued.

"And I," Dylan shouted. "Think it would be fun to go outside and stop the awkward."

Everyone hopped up with Dylan and rushed outside.

"So Lilly," Jenna said to Lilly, with Will at her side. "Would you mind giving us a tour of the island? It's so pretty here. The Mansion isn't on an island. It's in the middle of a forest. There aren't any gorgeous waterfalls there."

Lilly smiled. "Yes, of course! You have to see our waterfall. It's so beautiful."

Jenna and Lilly walked along the beach, telling each other everything. Will spoke occasionally. But the girls talked too much, and Will wasn't able to get many words in.

"And you're Little Lime? Oh, she's adorable. We've met her before, the last time we came to The Villa. She was only two! Her and Crosbey talk on facetimes, though. They found a way to play together that way!" Jenna said.

"Lime is pretty cute, but Crosby? He's the most adorable little boy I've ever met!" Lilly countered.

"Weren't we talking about American beverages sixty seconds ago?" Will asked. "How was this conversation turned to toddlers?"

The girls gave him a look.

"All right, all right," Will held his hands up. "I'll go find the guys. Wherever they might be. I don't know."