Sadie was already halfway across the room before Sydney could decide whether to be nervous. Her smile was contagious, though, warm and mischievous, like she was constantly up to something and daring you to find out what it was.
“I would’ve come last night, but Daddy wouldn’t have it. He said you needed to rest,” she explained, plopping herself at the foot of my bed without waiting for an invitation. “But I wanted to meet you first thing today!”
Sydney sat up slowly, hugging her knees under the blanket. “Derek is your Daddy?”
“Uh-huh. But you better call him Master Derek if you don’t want a spanking or a good ten minutes in the corner thinking about respecting the Dominants on the Ranch!” she warned with a friendly wink.
A laugh escaped Sydney before she could stop it. Sadie beamed like her new friend had passed some kind of test.
“See? That’s already much better. You looked like a little storm cloud when I first walked in.” Her voice softened slightly. “You don’t have to talk if you’re not ready, okay? Or not at all if that’s not your thing. But you shouldn’t hide in here all day. It’ll make your head go all twisty and no one wants that.”
“I know,” Sydney admitted, brushing hair from her face. “I just don’t know what I’m supposed to do, or where to go, and going out there and figuring it out was just a bit too scary for early morning Sydney to do.”
“Well,” the young brunette said, standing suddenly and offering her hand to Sydney. “You’re supposed to come have breakfast with me. And where you’re doing that is at the cafeteria. Andwhatyou’re going to do is meet some of the sweetest, loudest, most chaotic Littles in the world.”
Sydney hesitated.
“Also,” Sadie added, eyes wide and dramatic, “they willlose their mindsover your accent. Just warning you.”
Sydney’s cheeks flamed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. It’s nothing special.”
Sadie gasped. “It’s gorgeous! Oh my gosh, say ‘tomato’.”
“Tomato?” she responded cautiously.
Sadie squealed like Sydney had just recited Shakespeare. “See? I love it! You sound like a fancy princess!”
Sydney was giggling now. Her new friend had given her no choice. And somehow she’d made it safe to giggle.
And so, five minutes later, she found herself in soft cotton leggings, one of her favorite hoodies, padding behind Sadie down the hallway. She had Banana tucked under one arm, glad to be able to keep her treasured bunny close because even though she had managed a few giggles with a new friend, her heart was still feeling mighty bruised.
The cafeteria was bigger than Sydney expected, and noisier, too. Laughter echoed off the walls, mingling with the clatter of trays, the hum of conversation, and the occasional “no”commanded by a patient Daddy as a Little one tried to sneak a third helping of fruity loops or something sweet.
Normally, all the noise and people would have overwhelmed Sydney. But not this time.
This time she felt... like she’d come home.
Sadie didn’t even pause as they entered, grabbing Sydney’s hand and towing her straight toward a table near the windows where a small collection of Littles were already gathered.
“Everybody, this is Sydney!” Sadie announced, as if she were unveiling a shiny new toy on Christmas morning. “She’sbrand new, from...” There was a dramatic pause before Sadie continued, “South Africa! Can you believe it?”
That got everyone’s attention.
A girl with wildly curly red hair gasped so loudly she almost choked on her cereal. “Like theactualSouth Africa where they have like zebras walking in the street?”
Sydney blinked. “Um... Yes. But they don’t actually do that.”
The redhead slapped the table. “Chloe,” she said, pointing to herself. “You just became my favorite person here. So no zebras. What about lions?”
“I mean,” Sydney began, her brow furrowing, “There are places?—”
“I knew it!” Chloe turned to the others, triumphant.
“Chloe,” said another girl with long black braids, who looked adorable and was swinging her legs under the bench. “Stop yelling. You’re going to scare her.”
“That’s Nat,” Sadie said in a loud whisper.
A dramatic sigh came from across the table. “Honestly, if someone doesn’t offer Sydney some pancakesright now, I’mgoing to throw myself on the floor and cry. She’s probably starving!”
