Ashley rejoiced in the warmth of her parents' presence, a sight that fills me with warmth. Beside me, Jonah observes the display of affection Ashley is enveloped in, curious about the calm behavior of Ashley's parents.

"That's a lot of hugging. My parents come to see me every week, but they're never that affectionate." Jonah said.

"Yeah, it's different for girls, they tend to be more expressive with their emotions."

I saw Ashley pointing at us, as she pulled her parents closer to my bed.

"Mom, Dad, I want you to meet my friends. The goofball sitting on the edge of the bed is Jonah. And the good-looking guy in the bed, that's Samuel."

Her father, wearing a broad smile, was the first to reach out his hand. "My name is Arthur, and it's a pleasure to meet you, Samuel." He then turned to Jonah, offering his hand but with a more intense gaze. "And Jonah, have you been calling my daughter your girlfriend?"

Jonah's gaze wandered around the room, evidently trying to sidestep Ashley's father's question.

"I was just playing around. I truly didn't mean it."

Arthur relaxed his serious stare and smiled. "Good to know. I want to make sure my princess is surrounded by respectful gentlemen."

Nurse Angela enters the room, distributing a flyer to each adult present. "Good morning, everyone. Just a little reminder about the fall festival happening this weekend. We'll be serving breakfast in about ten minutes."

She then turns to me with a cheerful smile, handing over one of the flyers. "This festival is going to be a blast. I'm looking forward to playing some games together. Do you think you could win this lady a nice teddy bear?"

Her playful invitation to spend time together brought a smile to my face. I wasn't sure what I had done to merit such a friendly gesture, but I was determined not to let that moment of attention slip by. "Definitely. I have a pretty good aim."

Nurse Angela spun around, and with a glance back over her shoulder, she flashed me a smile and a wink. Ashley, observing the exchange between me and the nurse, came over with a look of seriousness. Her cheeks were tinted with a blush, and her eyes sparkled with a challenge as if thrown by the nurse's playful flirtation.

"Sure, she can hang out with you, but only after you've spent some time with me first," Ashley said.

As everyone retreated to their cubbies, a soft knock sounded at the door.

"Where is my buddy-boy?"

At the sight if this man, Jonah hid quickly under his blanket. "Go away!"

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

The man, sporting a long beard, soiled trousers, and a cowboy hat, advanced towards Jonah's cubie. With a strong pull, he removed the blanket. "Ah, come on, buddy! Don't be like that!"

"I want my mom, not you."

The man hopped onto Jonah's bed, engaging in playful tickling. At that moment, a woman walked into the room and paused, her face twisting into a look of disapproval upon seeing the man's rough play with Jonah. "William! Get out of his bed this instant!"

The man stepped out of Jonah's bed, drawing an unpleasant smirk. "Alright, I just wanted to be friendly, that's all."

Her voice was loud and excessive, causing discomfort in my ears the moment she began to speak. Everyone in the room shifted their attention to Jonah's mom.

"Mom!" Jonah said. He quickly moved to the side, climbing off his bed from the other end to put distance between himself and the unfamiliar man. The man glared at Jonah with visible anger as Jonah wrapped his mother in a hug. At the same moment, Nurse Angela walked in, pushing a cart filled with our breakfast.

The nurse unfolded a table and proceeded to distribute the breakfast plates to each of our cubicles. She began with Jonah, followed by me, and finally, she served Ashley. As Jonah stayed close to his mother, the man who had arrived with Jonah's mother took a small bottle from his pocket and discreetly poured its contents into Jonah's juice.

The man's actions caught my eye, but I didn't immediately associate them with anything malicious, given that our medication usually came with our meal trays.

"Common boy! You better eat now!"

I sensed a dark aura emanating from the man. His demeanor and the way he spoke to Jonah unsettled me. Meanwhile, Ashley was enjoying her meal with her parents. I gently took the plate from the folding table beside my bed and settled it onto my lap, all the while pondering the man's intentions.

Choosing to divert my focus from the dynamics unfolding between Jonah's and Ashley's parents, I picked up the flyer that Nurse Angela had handed me earlier and started to read it quietly. The festival promised an array of games, activities tailored for the village's children, and, notably, a clown show.

While reading the flyer, curiosity began to stir within me about whether The Godmother would be present at the festival. The idea of having the opportunity to play a game with her first filled me with anticipation, imagining the unique and exciting experience it could offer.

Right on schedule, my parents showed up, both of them bearing several boxes from home. "Sammy! Good morning, sweetie," my mother greeted me with a warm embrace. "Mommy missed you so much yesterday."

My father then came around for his turn to hug me. "Have you made any friends while we were away?"

I nodded, my eyes shifting quickly to meet Ashley's, who was smiling in our direction.

"I see," my father said, noting my interest. "Would you like to do some introductions?"

I waved to Ashley, motioning with my hand for her to come over. She stood in front of my bed, her smile more radiant than any I had ever seen on a girl.

"Ashley, I want to introduce to you, my parents, Martha and Ray."

Ashley stepped toward my dad, extending her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, sir. Sam talks a lot about you both."

My father, curious at her remark, crosses his arms and smiles. "Really? Well, I'm glad it is all good talk."

"He's going to be my date tomorrow, for the first day of the festival."

Both of my parents exchanged surprised glances at Ashley's announcement. "That's right, the festival is tomorrow!" my father said.

"I will be here with you sweetie, but your father has to be at the office in the morning."

"I understand."

With a gentle ruffle of my hair from my dad, the evening drew near, promising a new array of adventures. However, despite our harmonious atmosphere, everything felt incomplete to me.