The smell of the food lifted into the air. Both parents cook dinner and set up the table while Zoe and Darwin sit upstairs playing video games and talking about their future plans and what they like to do as adults. And while the parents stayed downstairs cooking up a storm and trying to set the table before the kids made it down , everything seemed to be going as planned. Zoe, who had heard her parents call her and Darwin down, slid the candy box she had open under her bed. She always eats something before dinner. And her family had rules set that she didn't do most of the time.

     Darwin lifted his hands up in the air, smiling as Zoe smiled back. He was only stretching. But Zoe took it as a sign for a hug. She sat down on the floor with both legs under her butt while she leaned forward to give Darwin a hug. His face was in complete shock. He had no idea how he ended up in this situation, so he took it and hugged back. He felt comfort from the way she hugged him but was soon separated due to her parents calling her down once again.

     "Darwin." She spoke, "I would like to adopt you into my family and treat you like a brother. I always wanted a sibling. Someone to hang out with and care about." She stood up and began to walk towards the door. "Come on. Let's eat." She said, walking down the stairs.

     The kitchen table is filled with food. Darwin could even smell the turkey in the middle of the table and new food he had never even seen or tried. He sat down, ready to eat, while Zoe's father poured water in his cup.

     "You must be hungry, child." The mother spoke. "Go on, eat. I'm not holding you back." And so he did.

     The look on his face is as if he was in heaven. His smile, his eyes closed, and of course his cute little noices he made from eating. Zoe watched in amazement as Darwin devoured the entire plate as if it was nothing. Even her parents were shocked at how much he ate. Their thoughts were, 'Did he eat at all while he's with us?' and 'who raised a young boy and not feed him on the spot?'

     Darwin stopped and looked around at them. Confused and startled at everyone staring at him as if he was a monster or some kind of stranger who entered the house unexpectedly.

     Zoe stood up, taking her plate to the sink to wash off all the crumbs and katchup that was on the plate. Darwin stood as well, handing his plate over to Zoe, who sighed and pushed his plate into the sink. She seemed out of it. Her eyes slowly closed as she tried to stay focused on her chores instead of Darwin.

     She handed Darwin the plate and asked him for help to finish up. She wanted to spend some time with him and get to know him as a brother figure before he somehow leaves.

     "Zoe," Darwi spoke, throwing putting the plate in the dishwasher. "Why did you and your family take me in?" He asked.

     "We... we don't like seeing people stranded on the side of the road; even kids." She handed another plate over to him. "Plus, you seemed to be on the road to death!" Darwin paused.

     "What do you mean by that?" He asked, taking the plate Zoe had in her hands.

     "What I mean is. When my mom and I found you, you were almost on the death bed. You were injured, scared, confused, and even angry. So my mom took you in and even fed you until we could find your parents." Only silence filled the room, making it even more aqward for Zoe.

     Darwin, on the other hand, didn't like the idea and quickly changed the subject to something more cheerful and happy. He didn't want to yell at Zoe and treat her with disrespect like that. He even just met her. "So, what do you wanna do?" He asked, smiling.

     "I don't know. Maybe go outside and plant flowers or clean the yard. I really have nothing to do once in a while since I don't have anyone to talk to or play with. All I do is sit around and play video games, draw, watch TV, and play an instrument." Zoe handed Darwin the last plate. "And why did you change the subject just like that?" She asked.

     Darwin starred at the floor as he thought a moment. He didn't want to tell her why he left his home, why he walked down the side of the road slowly dying, why he kept a secret from her so she wouldn't disown him. He just didn't want to tell her anything yet. At that moment, a cold wet hand touched his shoulders, making him squirm back from her.

     She watched in disbelief as Darwin backed up, slowly shaking his head no. She even begged Darwin to tell her but only got yelled at. Confused and hurt, Zoe walked backwords into the dining area steadily until she met the table. Darwin's face and how he gave off an expression of hurt and anger.

     He blew it. He made Zoe think that he was the enemy and knew his true side. He wanted a refresher, a place to live, to call home. And now, he ruined it. He doesn't know if he should tell Zoe the truth or a lie.

     He just needed to give it time, thinking. Words forming into a dozen sentences that he couldn't put together. All he could do was wait patiently until she returned so he could tell her the truth. Why he left and why he doesn't want to go home.

     It seemed like an hour sense she left, and now Darwin, left on his own, decided to go and find her. He walked all over the place, looking in the kitchen, the living room, some of the upstairs bedrooms, and even outside in the backyard. But once he came inside and walked all the way back upstairs. He found her in the bedroom where they were the last time. He lightly tapped on the side of the wall to get her attention.

     "What do you want?" She mumbled.

     "I just wanted to apologise to you for the way I acted downstairs. I don't know what got me off guard like that. Will you forgive me?" He gave off a cute little expression to show that he was hurt and sorry for his actions.

     Zoe sat up, looking at Darwin sadly. She shook her head but soon gave in and looked at Darwin's sad excuse of an apology. She smiled, knowing how sweet he really was. But Darwin, on the other hand, wanted to tell her how he ended up on the side of the road. Why did he walk up so many steps, and why didn't he want to go back home?

     But it didn't matter. Not yet.