Hiya guys! Firstly, I cannot believe how much support this story is getting and I am eternally grateful! While the review total may not look like much to some people, you guys have helped me to exceed the biggest amount of reviews I've ever gotten (eight) and that is just so great, I really cannot thank you enough! Secondly, to clear up an issue: I have lead you on somewhat, in that you are not given the identity of the toddler Laura is holding and for a while you believe it to be Peter, which was done on purpose but my sister says that I should make it clear that it wasn't him so I'm following orders! XP I hope you guys enjoy this chapter, and please read and review if you have the time! I feel like this is my little phrase... I hope it doesn't annoy you guys! ^^"

Charli xxx

There were a total of six other children at the New Beginnings home, not including the baby that is, and it was a constant source of anguish to Peter that they were all taller than him. He supposed that he would have a growth spurt soon, but until then it meant that he was powerless against the other residents, and this in turn of course meant that he had longest to wait for the bathroom. But he didn't complain anymore, he just waited his turn patiently, because that was Peter. He would wait, and keep waiting, until the day he was taller and somebody else could take over.

First into the communal bathroom every day would be Mia because she was their only girl. The boys would always keep their distance between the hours of six and quarter past, ducking behind their doors until they were certain she had passed. It wasn't so much that they were gentlemen or anything, more that if they were to see her clad in just her towel, they'd most likely lose a limb or two or… Another appendage of value.

Peter liked Mia, he liked her a lot. She was as pretty as she was violent, and she was very violent. Her beauty however often went unnoticed because of this, as it was very demure and understated, he thought. She had thick brown hair that she pulled back in a ponytail to one side. She often slipped a pencil over her ear that she would soon forget about and only find again as she pulled the hair band out and it tumbled onto her dressing table. She had nice brown eyes too and eyebrows that could rival his own, but hers were more tame than his, and she wouldn't reveal her secret. Perhaps that was why she took so long in the bathroom - some kind of long laborious process to keep them in check.

After her went Kyle, he was the tallest so it was practically a God-given right. Kyle was fun and didn't pick on him, but at the same time he didn't really associate with him much, none of them did. If Peter had to label exactly what the other residents of the children's home were to him, it would be 'acquaintances', and that was sad to him. He constantly tried to reach out to them but he supposed that they were all just too different.

Next in was Noah, but he wasn't the next tallest. That was confusing to Peter, but he guessed it was because of his relationship with Kyle. It was never really openly discussed what the two boys were to one another, but everyone could tell that they were definitely a something. Kyle was very protective over Noah, and the older kids said that he wore that band-aid* over his nose to hide a scar he got in a fight over him. Noah was quiet and Peter didn't know much else about him than that.

Then came Leo, who was also amongst the oldest. He smiled a lot and Peter had never seen him outside of home when he wasn't surrounded by girls. Leo had auburn hair with a curl that sprung out fiercely, even when he had brushed it straight. He was very cool and had a big group of friends which Peter envied and admired. He was never without plans on Saturday night which made up in a way for the fact that Mia and himself never used their allotted weekend free time.

When Leo emerged freshly bathed, it was Adam's turn to go in. He was younger than the first three but Peter thought he looked older. He had dark hair and dark eyes with even darker rims around them. He looked like he'd never slept a day in his life and his attire was as black as his mood - lots of leather with the occasional interjection of red, a reflection on his temper.

Fabian would come out of his room once the stronger boys had left. Peter thought that Fabian had a girly name but it most definitely suited him. He had fine silvery hair that he braided into two long plaits. He kept his hair in a better condition even than Mia did, conditioning it at every possibility and using a serum to keep it as smooth and silky as possible. He kept to himself but when he did add to conversation, what he had to say didn't really interest Peter.

And then it was the turn of Oscar, who Peter wouldn't hesitate to say he disliked. They were closest in age than any of the others but they were probably the most different to one another. Peter found Oscar mean and snooty and never bothered to spend more time with him to form a new opinion.

Finally, it was Peter's turn. He didn't take very long to shower and once he was done he was also a quick dresser, so he finished quickly and even though he was last in, he was always first out and sitting at the breakfast table expectantly. As everyone walked in one by one, Peter would greet them and be met with the appropriate response: "G-day little mate.", "Um, hello…" or "Shut up Peter." Laura would ruffle his hair cheerfully and ask him what he wanted to eat that morning. No request was ever too much, and she went out of her way to please each of them, and she would always ask Peter if he was alright before he left, which he appreciated, but it wasn't the morning that was the problem. No, it was when he came home that he was upset.

Tim Mogens was Laura's older brother, another carer at the home, and he was mostly silent, cooking the things Laura told him to while she tended to the baby. The baby was actually about two years old but they still all called him the baby, purely because he was the very youngest of them all.

Once everyone had finished eating, there was a desperate scramble to get upstairs and get themselves together. They would all try and keep out of one another's way because not very many of them were exactly what you would call morning people and it was better not to step on any toes when all hell was guaranteed to break loose. Peter would gather his bag together and be sure to put in all the homework he hadn't done, then stand and wait at the front entrance for Mia to appear at the top of the stairs. He always tried to make it look like he hadn't been waiting, like they just coincidentally finished together, but he was certain she knew the truth. He smiled brightly at her and proposed that they walk together, to which she would always reply "Too loud." before following him out of the door.

Mia was a late-comer to the home, which was unusual. The others had been there for most of their lives but she was only into her second year. Because of this she was already enrolled in a secondary school upon arrival, and Laura didn't think it right to transfer her after she'd settled in. It was a girls' only school that specialised in Art and Design, which meant that Mia fit right in and spent most of her time in the Art room, even after school hours. The others all went to a mixed public school - it was nothing special, chosen only for the fact that it was local and the results weren't too bad.

Their walk together was a normal one, filled with small talk and companionable silence that made neither party feel awkward. He was certain it meant nothing to her but Peter always looked forward to it. He didn't know how she saw him, but these walks made him feel like he had a friend, like he wasn't completely alone all the time. For ten to fifteen minutes, he has a best friend. Even if the other party didn't realise that.

"You alright?" she would drawl at him, still not entirely awake.

"I'm good thank you! Today will be fun, huh?" he'd beam.

"… Sure."

Then came the silence.

"So, do you have Art class today, Mia?" He always reverted to this topic because he knew it would get her talking.

"Yeah actually. We're doing this big Pop Art piece, like inspired by the greats, you know? Liechtenstein, Warhol, all these vibrant colours and film icons. It should be really cool. We're thinking…"

And this would go on for a little while, and Peter would accompany it with smiles and nods, enjoying just listening to her talk. But these moments had to end, and when the gates of his school came into view, he felt a little gloomy. She in turn would notice and wave him off.

"See ya."

He would smile then, and yell "Have a good day Mia!"

"Yeah…" she would respond and he would watch her walk further and further away until he couldn't see her anymore. Then and only then would he go in.

Yes, for Peter mornings were chaotic, but he loved them. He was happy and enjoying himself. But mornings had to end, and afternoons, they were the worst…

To be continued next chapter, muahahahaha! I'm not sure you guys will really feel sorry for Peter yet but I kinda do. I guess when you know the rest of the story you have a different outlook but I think that just this is a little sad, no? :'/ I'm wondering if you guys got who all of the kids in the home were, and I'd be interested to see your guesses! I have a huge speaking competition tomorrow so there likely won't be another update for the next few days but there'll be a new chapter up Saturday at the latest! Until then, much love to all of you and I hope you have a good week! ^^