This is a crappy chapter I'm using as a crappy filler for a transition I've been trying to figure out for months now. Please hold while the more interesting plot is developed. Thank you to those who still actually care!

He was in a golf cart. And from her vantage point in the balcony on the second floor, as the wheels of the bright green cart spun against the side of a pink flowering bush, it looked like he was having a heck of a time maneuvering it through all the shrubbery. It was obvious from his facial expression- which she could clearly see even from the second floor how difficult this was for him. Not to mention the string of curses that floated up through her window.

That was actually what had woken her up. Rolling out of bed to see what the crap was making such an awful sound, she'd shuffled out to the balcony to observe. Brianna now found she had a few new particularly nasty expletives to add to her vocabulary.

When he finally managed to park the golf cart, (or rather, pull up against a brick wall and call it good when the fender sort of caved in with a sickening crunch) the man in the rumpled blue and white striped polo shirt stumbled out of his seat and began to make his way up the front porch. His auburn hair was slicked back, but whether that was an intentional style choice or he had just been sweating profusely, it was unclear.

Brianna, arms crossed as she leaned out over the railing, watched as he produced a slim phone from his pocket and began to dial. Stopping just below her balcony, so that she could still see the top of his manicured locks, he raised the phone to his ear.

"Mrs. Wright?" His voice carried up to Brianna as she leaned over the railing. "Yeah its Aaron. No, I'm still at the press conference... Oh...? You can... see me from the kitchen window. Heh heh, I was joking of course!... yeah, yeah, I'll be there. Thanks. Bye."

He hung up and stuck the phone in the back pocket of his khaki shorts. Then he took a small step backwards and craned his neck upwards at Brianna.

"Morning!" He called. Brianna stiffened, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks. He wasn't even surprised to see her eavesdropping. He'd known she was there the whole time.

"... Morning," she responded after a pause.

"You're Brianna," the man said, teeth flashing in the sunlight.

"Yeah," she said. "Who are you?"

"Straight to the point. I like that! Name's Aaron. Aaron Ellington. I'll be in the house in a sec, if you'd like to meet me and my wife over breakfast."

Brianna blinked and opened her mouth, then closed it.

"You... you're the dude who owns this place?" She asked, struggling to collect her thoughts.

"Yup," Aaron responded, wiping a hand across his brow. He opened his arms and gestured around. "Bienvenue dans mon humble demeure."

Brianna just stared down at the man, mouth slightly ajar.

Laughing, he clarified, "welcome to my home. Let me go clean up and grab Ellie and we'll talk. I'm starving. See you in a bit, Brianna!"

And with a cheerful little wave, the man disappeared below the balcony, his footsteps against the concrete steps echoing as he entered the house through the giant front door below, just out of Brianna's sight.

Brianna shook her head and withdrew into her room.

There was a knock at her door.

"Miss Sims, are you awake?" Came Mrs. Wright's slightly muffled voice through the door. "Master and Mistress Ellington would like to meet you."

"I'll be out in a sec," Brianna called, still a bit miffed. shaking her head, she turned to get dressed.

Wearing bleach-splattered jeans and a black T-shirt, Brianna was led down through the building by Mrs. Wright. Even though she'd been toured about the previous day, the girl was still lost in the Ellington Estate, and was grateful for Mr. Wright's presence. She tried to memorize the route they took, but everything looked so similar it was difficult to tell which hall led where, and what stairway she would have to take.

One hallway finally opened up into a grand dining room, with chairs enough to seat at least thirty. An empty fireplace dominated the far end of the room, the bricks old but well-kept.

Three places were set at the long dining table. Two were currently filled.

Aaron looked up when she walked in, flashing a charismatic grin. He had exchanged the polo shirt for a classy light blue button up. His hair remained airborne, however, seeming to defy gravity with an extravagant amount of gel.

"Brianna!" he called waving her over. "Come sit down, we're about to eat. Do you like your eggs scrambled or sunny-side-up?"

"Scrambled," she replied, taking her seat across from him. Aaron snapped and a sleek looking man in butler get-up with a pristine white cravat to boot appeared at his side.

"Johnson, get the lovely lady whatever she wants. Some orange juice might be nice. Maybe a platter of muffins."

The servant nodded briskly and swept away through a swinging door that appeared to lead into the kitchen.

Brianna blinked and food was set in front of her left and right. Steam rose from a plate of fluffy yellow eggs, and she could smell melting chocolate from a nearby plate of muffins.

"Go ahead and eat dear," Brianna glanced at the woman sitting next to Aaron. She was small and pale, her paper-thin hair pinned against her head in a neat bun. She had a tired but kind smile, and her eyes seemed to sparkle with something almost mischievous. "I'm Aaron's wife Ellise. You can call me Ellie." She stirred cream into a steaming cup of coffee.

Brianna nodded and surveyed the table. She was impressed, but not overly so. This was a common "first-day" move on the couple's part. Trying to make the foster kid feel "at home" and welcome. Even in nicer homes (well, this one was a mansion-house) breakfast was always extravagant on the first day.

"We are so sorry we couldn't be home to pick you up last night, but we knew Mrs. Wright was more than up to the job of making you feel at home." Aaron said, buttering a muffin and popping the whole thing into his mouth.

"We have a busy day ahead so we won't be able to spend much time with you today dear," Ellie said with a sad smile, "but tonight we'll be having extended family over to meet you. We have a sweet niece about your age. I'm sure the two of you will be fast friends."

Brianna blinked, mouth full of egg, but nodded.

"If its alright with you, we have a day of touring the town planned out for you dear," Ellie continued, pausing to take a sip of coffee. "Mrs. Wright has agreed to show you where the school is, and we've given you an allowance for some time at the mall. I know what the first day can be like without a good outfit." She winked over her coffee.

Brianna smirked, but had to agree. First impressions were everything, and as a new kid she'd have to go all out if she wanted to avoid getting stuck in with the losers. It was shallow, but survival directly translates to superficiality when it comes to high school.

"Well, I need to be off or I'll be late," Aaron said, coming to his feet. He leaned over for to give Ellie a quick peck on the cheek. "Brianna, I'm so sorry I can't stay to get to know you better but I'm sure we'll have plenty of time in the coming months. I'll see you at dinner tonight kiddo."

He bustled out of the room as Ellie more graciously stood from her chair.

"I suppose I better get ready for my conference as well. I hope you are comfortable her Brianna," the lady said with a nod, and she swept out of the room.

Mrs. Wright was suddenly by the girl's side, as a maid came to take away her plate.

"Well then Miss Sims, shall we?"

Coming Up: Brianna and Lily have yet to meet, but the girl's fates are more intertwined than they realize. Thanks to those who stayed with me, I hope to be making more updates in the near future!