In the courtyard, which was located in the neighborhood of an orphanage,
The atmosphere became quiet after listening to the answer from a girl with short black hair. A tall young guy who had been watching the chosen one with an indescribable gaze had been staring at him for a while, but he said nothing. Meanwhile, Sam just continued to listen, and another young lady who had a facial resemblance to Aileen did not dare to comment, either.
“So… so that was the news you guys heard?” Alexa asked, stammering a little.
What the hell! I did not expect that a bad person would spread such news. What did I do wrong? This is unfair. I wish I were not an orphan, thought the hazel-eyed girl sadly.
“Yes, Alexa. My sister and I did not believe it. After all, all of us who live in an orphanage can exist because of being dumped by our parents, so no one knows the actual story. I am sure you are not evil,” replied Aileen, trying to calm her.
“I agree with Ai. If you are that bad, your parents killed you long ago, but they did not do it. We never believe in gossip, anyway. It was silly,” said the long-haired girl who had been standing next to Aileen.
Those words from her two new friends touched the hearts of the first daughter of the couple, Tristian Varden Writh and Lavena Isolda Keira moved. Her eyes were filled with tears, filled with happiness. “Thank you. You guys are fantastic,” said Alexa sincerely.
“It is okay. Do not be afraid. Before today, you are also rarely seen, so we thought that the news was true, so you were exiled too,” said the red-haired boy.
That young lady shook her head. “No. I am uncomfortable when I am in a crowd because everyone will look at me strangely. It was not included, because the children in the orphanage immediately whispered when they saw me in the same area with them.”
“You can gather with us. We always welcome you.” This time, it was Aiden who answered, so the beautiful girl was taken aback. Unknowingly, Alexa smiled at the handsome young guy so that at such a moment made, the silver-haired boy was silenced and speechless for a few moments.
Samuel turned his attention toward his two female friends. They seemed to shrug, a sign of not knowing. Alexa seemed to come to her senses, then nodded spontaneously, confusing the four new friends. The girl turned her gaze to Aileen. “Thank you, because you have accepted me. I hope the four of you are not afraid to hang out with me.”
“It is okay. Ah, I almost forgot something,” said Aileen. Alexa immediately frowned because she did not understand the other person’s words. “She is my sister. Her name is Adaline. Adaline Petmurzkha.”
A girl with long black hair stretched out her right hand, and then the granddaughter of Sir Elmer Louis Writh welcomed it well. “It is nice to see you, Adaline. I hope we can be good friends,” hoped Alexa, smiling awkwardly, seeing the look on the other person’s face who looked unfriendly.
“I hope so. You seem a good girl,” said Adaline with an expressionless expression.
They let go of each other’s hands. Adaline did not smile at all, so the atmosphere became a little awkward. Alexa tried to divert the feeling of shyness by deliberately looking at her new friends one by one carefully.
“When you are on vacation like now, do you guys do activities to do together? Sorry if this question sounds weird because I have never had a friend.”
The question asked by Alexa made Samuel point to the medium-sized bag that he had been carrying but had forgotten because the girl had managed to get his attention. At the same time, the three friends chose to remain silent.
“We would normally go for a walk, but not very far from here. Madame Aufrodine and Madame Loiston forbid all the children in the orphanage to enter the forest because if they are desperate to go there, they may not come back again.” Samuel answered in a serious tone, so Alexa became confused, and it was obvious from her face.
“If you want to know, it is better if Alexa comes with us. We will not put you in a dangerous situation because you are our friend now.” Suddenly, a voice came from the grey-eyed youth. He seemed to want to dispel the doubts in the Messenger of Goddess Magia’s heart. Meanwhile, the other two girls were observing the conversation and were already preparing to leave the place.
“Okay, I am coming.”
***
Forty-five minutes later
That five teenagers had arrived at an extensive field. The sun’s rays were not so hot because it was covered by clouds, which made the atmosphere calm, and the breeze that blew began to be felt on their skin. The chestnut brown-haired girl looked happy, so she subconsciously smiled because it filled her heart with happiness.
Without Alexa knowing, she was being watched by a silver-haired youth boy, but he did not try to establish a conversation with the girl. Meanwhile, Samuel put down the bag he had brought on the grass. “Finally, we arrived too. This is our usual favorite place, Alexa.”
Alexa, who heard this, as soon as possible turned her attention to the young man. She saw the twins were already sitting on the grass while Samuel and Aiden were still standing as if they had not yet tired of walking to reach that location. “This place is so beautiful. How did you find it?” the beautiful girl asked, full of admiration.
“Aiden and I sneaked out of the orphanage several times when we were bored in the orphanage. Unexpectedly, we even found this area. Since then, we have always come here to relax before returning to the orphanage,” Samuel exhaled. The sweat was seen dripping from his forehead, and that young boy rubbed it with his right hand so that it stuck to the shabby light brown shirt.
“This area is very nice. Near to here, about a hundred meters from the tree over there, you will find a river.” Aileen chimed in, pointing out the tree in question. The sharp-nosed girl also shifted her focus in the direction she was told.
“Wow, what a pleasure to come here! Thanks for the information, Ai.” Alexa seemed excited, so the situation made her four new friends smile, amused, seeing the enthusiasm possessed by the girl, who was shunned by most children living in the orphanage.
“Yeah, Ai was right. We will be there after resting here. Are not you tired of standing up, Alexa?” Aiden’s voice was heard this time, so the owner’s name became a little embarrassed and did not dare answer. That young lady started to sit next to Ai, who was holding back laughter, seeing such a sight, while her twin sisters were just indifferent.
“No need to rush. Today is a free day, so we can stay longer here before the sunset comes.” Samuel walked over to the three young girls sitting on the grass. After arriving there, the young man, who had many freckles on his face, sat next to Adaline, who still did not intend to reply to the conversation from her friends.
They were silent, thus making the situation quiet. The five early-stage teenagers seemed to enjoy the natural scenery around them. I am so happy to be here, especially with new friends. So far, I have never left the orphanage, especially during a break day like now, and I feel lonely, Alexa thought, looking up at the sky.
A young guy glanced at the chosen one, precisely at the empty area near Alexa. He saw something strange, so what was being witnessed attracted the attention of the young man who had a height of one hundred and seventy-five centimeters. Aiden had time to rub his eyes with his hands as if he was making sure that what he saw was true and it was not just a hallucination.
The foreign woman’s expression was deathly pale and scary at the same time. That woman observed a young lady sitting not far from Aileen, although the girl did not notice at all. Aiden was still confused, mixed with disbelief, so the thin young boy was still watching the target.
For the shake of Goddess Asiles. Am I dreaming now? Why do I see strange things? Is she a human starting, a forest spirit, a ghost, a fairy, or something else? Why does her appearance look so scary? I saw nothing weird when I did not go here, but why could I only see that woman? Thought Aiden, curious.
Unexpectedly, that strange woman turned her attention towards Aiden, so they stared at each other. That young guy could not move his body, even though he had tried hard to be free from the strange situation that was afflicting him.
Shit! Why am I like this? Do not be her…
The quiet man could no longer think straight. His vision darkened, so he lost his balance. Suddenly there was a loud thud, so everyone there was shocked; even Adaline, who rarely commented, immediately screamed, “Aiden!”
***