The village was already very busy at this time of the morning. The market vendors and grocery store owners were already displaying their products and opening the doors of their stores. The students were already starting to arrive at the small village school, I observe the place with nostalgia, I wish I could go back to being a child and live like a normal person from the village.
We walk through the cobblestone streets, the smell of baking bread invades my nostrils, making me want to eat a slice with lots of honey on top.
- Sister? - my brother calls me and I awaken from the enchantment I have entered due to the delicious aroma of fresh bread.
- Yes, Oli? - I turn to face him.
- Are you really excited for this year? -he asks with a heavy sigh.
- Not really. - I confess. - But what can we do? Isn't every year the same thing? Train, train and prepare for an imminent war?
- This is the reason why I am not in the least excited. The idea that a battle could break out at any moment makes me nervous. - I've never seen Oliver so worried about this before.
- Why are you thinking about this now? You've always been so calm about it.
- I really don't know," he shrugs. - I just feel that something very bad is going to happen in our lives this year.
I stop walking and touch his arm, making him stop too.
- Don't think about it, Oli, we can't be that negative. Nothing will happen, and if it does, we will fight together as a family to protect our kingdom. - I assure him.
He gives a weak smile and nods.
- You are right. - Oliver takes my arm and passes it through the crook of his, starting to walk again. - It's better not to think about bad things. Let's focus on the present, on now.
- That's it, brother!
We turn the corner, in the distance, a little ahead of us, it is possible to see Ariel and Liana going in the direction of the training center. I notice that my brother's gaze is entirely focused on my friend. With his lips parted, he admires her hair blowing in the wind.
- She looks beautiful today, doesn't she? - I decide to prod him a little.
He looks at me pretending not to know who I am talking about.
- Who?
- What do you mean "who," Oliver? Liana, of course. Doesn't she look perfect today?
- She's very beautiful, always looks very beautiful, just like you and the others. - I roll my eyes at your comment.
- I know you like her, you don't have to pretend, not to me. - he sighs tiredly.
- That's just something in your head. You know very well that I have no specific interest in anyone. I like them all and have fun with them all.
"Except Liana," I thought.
- You know you don't have to lie to me, don't you? But that's okay. I won't insist on this subject.
Oliver remains silent, but I notice that he doesn't look away once from his secret lover.
***
- You are very welcome to our new school year at the training center. As you all know, the war against the neighboring kingdom is imminent, at any moment we could be attacked by them, and so we need to be prepared, strong and resilient to the point that there is no possibility of victory for our enemy. So, I ask that this year, you dedicate yourselves to training to the maximum, without soft body, so that we have real chances of winning, should a new battle occur. Finally, I wish you a good school year, and may we strive together for the good of the Lotus Kingdom. - This was the speech given by Agnes, the director of the training center and also a firebending instructor.
At the end of her speech, we headed to our classes with schedules in hand. I had archery class with Hero now. On the way to the arena, I met Liana, she carried a tired expression on her face.
- Liana? How are you my friend - we hugged each other tightly.
- I'm fine, and you? You look excited. - she commented.
- You know I like archery class. - she looks at me suspiciously.
- You like the class or the instructor, huh? - nudges me.
- Both. - I laugh. Liana doesn't know about my secret romance with Hero, she just suspects it. I don't think it's good that too many people know about us, because it increases the chances of being found out.