Chapter 1:
Kids scurried through the narrow hallways, chasing each other with streamers and paddles. Small girls pushed worn out carriages with destroyed dolls and teddy bears.
Our story starts off in an orphanage in London. The matron of the orphanage, Mrs. Cole, is just calling all the children down for a special meeting; a "surprise" she calls it.
As the kids—from all ages; from three year olds to sixteen year olds—scurry to the large lobby of the orphanage, they see someone not familiar at all.
"Children, I want you to meet Nessa Sterling. She's new here and I want you to be especially kind to her," Mrs. Cole announces in a kind, hearty voice. The small brunette hides shyly behind Mrs. Cole as some of the younger girls rush up to her, excited.
"Hi Nessa! My name's Beth! Let's play dolls!" says one girl with long, blonde hair and sparkly blue eyes.
"Yeah! I love that game! Come on, Nessa! I'll let you use Lorelai. She's one of my favorites," says another girl with short, black hair and big brown eyes. Shy little Nessa does not move from her spot. She still clutched on to Mrs. Cole long skirt.
Mrs. Cole smiles down at Nessa. "It's okay, deary, you go and play with those girls. They're really nice and I'm sure you'll have a grand time!" Nessa looks back at the group of girls wanting to play with her and motions a tiny nod. She lets go of Mrs. Cole's skirt and slowly goes to play with the girls. Beth grabs hold of Nessa's hand and skips merrily upstairs.
The children part and return back to what they were doing earlier. However, one boy, around the age of five, slumps back on the stairs.
Mrs. Cole trails over to him and gives him one of her heart-warming smiles.
"Tom, is something the matter? Why don't you go play with Henry or Bill?" she asks. "They're up in Henry's room playing with toy soldiers," she motions upstairs. Tom looks down, away from Mrs. Cole's friendly face. "Tom?"
"I'm fine," he grunts finally as he stands up and begins walking up the flight of stairs. Mrs. Cole looks at him curiously before heading toward the kitchen to prepare lunch.
As the quiet, dark-haired boy passes dorms where other orphans sleep, he wonders about the new girl. Just being reminded of her shy face made his stomach feel strange. He shook his head to rid of the thoughts.
Then, he passed by a room where the group of girls had taken Nessa away to play with dolls. He spotted her immediately from the group.
She was very cute. Big, shy brown eyes with a dainty nose and small figure. She was very petite, but then again, she was only around five years of age. Her long brown hair covered her adorable face.
Nessa looked out at him. She widened her eyes and turned away, nervously. Tom looked at her in confusion. The other girls turned to see Tom standing in the doorway.
"Tom! This is a girls-only room! You can't be here!" screeched Beth, the blonde. Tom narrowed his eyes, taking one last look at Nessa, who, throughout the corner of her eye, was looking back at him and walked off.