10
733 Words
Ailith stepped through the front door, immediately greeted by the comforting aroma of home-cooked food drifting from the kitchen.
"Mom, I’m home," she called, dropping her bag by the door and stretching.
Her mother, Elena, peeked out from the kitchen, her warm smile making Ailith instantly relax.
"Welcome home, sweetie. How was school?"
Ailith sighed, walking toward the kitchen where her mother was stirring a pot of stew. The soft glow of the kitchen lights made the space feel extra cozy.
"It was… fine," Ailith said, grabbing an apple from the fruit basket.
Elena raised an eyebrow, wiping her hands on her apron. "Just ‘fine’? That’s suspicious. Anything exciting happen?"
Ailith paused mid-bite. Her mind flashed back to Tavian’s teasing smirks, Mira’s relentless questioning, and Nara’s sharp gaze.
"Uh… nope. Totally normal day," she said quickly.
Her mother chuckled. "You always say that when you’re hiding something."
Ailith gulped. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."
Elena simply smiled knowingly. "Alright, alright. Dinner will be ready soon. Go wash up, and tell your brother to get off the computer before his eyes turn into screens."
Ailith laughed. "Yeah, good luck with that."
She grabbed her bag and headed upstairs to her room.
Ailith shut the door and tossed her bag onto the chair before turning to the mirror above her dresser.
The girl staring back at her had long bangs covering her eyes, shadowing most of her face.
She frowned, reaching for a small silver hair clip on the dresser.
Slowly, she lifted her bangs, clipping them to the side.
Her reflection transformed.
She didn’t look like the shy, invisible girl who blended into the background at school.
She looked… ethereal.
Her soft features, bright expressive eyes, and delicate cheekbones made her look almost like a fairy from a storybook. But there was a hesitation in her gaze—an uncertainty that dimmed the beauty she saw.
Why don’t I ever wear my hair like this?
She sighed, tracing a finger over her reflection.
"Because you’re not that kind of girl, Ailith," she muttered to herself. "You’re not the confident, popular type. You don’t stand out."
Her thoughts drifted to Tavian.
His confidence. His easy smile. The way he seemed to effortlessly draw people in.
And the way he looked at her today…
Ailith groaned, flopping onto her bed. "What am I even thinking? He was just being friendly. That’s all."
But was it?
She buried her face in a pillow.
After five minutes of overthinking, Ailith finally got up and headed downstairs.
At the dinner table, her little brother, Theo, was already seated, his small glasses perched perfectly on his nose as he scrolled through something on his tablet.
"Theo," their dad, Sebastian, said, setting down a plate of roasted chicken. "No gadgets at the table."
Theo sighed dramatically. "Dad, this isn’t just a gadget. I was reading an article on quantum physics."
Ailith snorted as she took her seat. "Of course you were."
Theo adjusted his glasses, looking at her. "Unlike some people, I use my free time to expand my knowledge."
She flicked a pea at him. "Unlike some people, I actually have a social life."
Theo gasped. "Are you saying I don’t?"
Elena giggled as she set the stew on the table. "Alright, alright, enough teasing. Let’s eat before the food gets cold."
As they all dug in, Sebastian turned to Ailith. "So, how’s school? Anything interesting happen?"
Ailith hesitated.
Before she could lie again, Theo pushed his glasses up and smirked.
"Oh, she was probably thinking about Tavian Caius Gomez."
Ailith choked on her drink. "THEO!"
Her mom and dad exchanged amused glances. "Tavian?" Elena asked, her tone playful. "Now that’s a name we’ve never heard you mention before."
Ailith covered her face. "Oh my god. I hate you, Theo."
Theo grinned. "Love you too, sis."
Sebastian chuckled. "So… should we be expecting a certain young man at our doorstep soon?"
"DAD!"
Elena laughed, patting Ailith’s hand. "Alright, alright, we won’t tease you. But… do you like him?"
Ailith groaned. "I don’t know!"
Theo smirked. "Translation: Yes."
She threw a bread roll at him.
"Hey!"
Elena just smiled knowingly. "Well, whatever happens, we support you, sweetheart."
Sebastian nodded. "Just let us know if we need to intimidate him a little."
Ailith rolled her eyes but smiled. Her family was impossible.
But… she wouldn’t trade them for anything.
- Writer
