Giggles and Games

Aspen’s POV

“Please? I promise you this time will be different. Fun, even,” Kalinda begged me as I sat in the garden reading a book.

“I’m not so sure about that,” I muttered, remembering the last time we went dress shopping. “But fine, I’ll go dress shopping with you. On one condition.”

“Name it,” Kalinda said.

I set my book aside. “I want to go to the orphanage first.”

Kalinda’s eyes lit up. “Absolutely! Let’s go!” Kalinda tugged me up off the bench, and I barely had time to grab my book to put it away before she dragged me into the castle.

Not an hour later, we were standing at the doors of the orphanage I knew so well. I missed the kids. I knew Kalinda was in charge of their welfare now, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t still concerned. The orphanage had been in such bad condition the last t……