Third Person's POV (Astra 9 years old)
-Flashback-
"Bye Aunt Morph!" Astra waved cheerfully as she embarked on her familiar route to school, the morning sun casting a golden glow over the quiet streets.
As she walked among her peers, memories of her parents' passing four years ago lingered in the recesses of her mind. Aunt Morph had been her rock, guiding her through the darkest days and teaching her to navigate a world without her parents. Yet, the pain and confusion persisted, shrouding her childhood in a veil of sorrow.
Despite Aunt Morph's attempts to provide explanations, Astra remained haunted by the enigma of her father's death. Her memories, vivid and real, clashed with the narrative she had been told, leaving her with more questions than answers.
In her solitude, Astra found solace in her dreams, where fragments of the past came to life in fleeting moments of clarity. These nocturnal journeys offered glimpses into a reality she could no longer grasp, blurring the lines between truth and illusion.
Lost in her thoughts, Astra was jolted back to the present by a familiar voice calling her name.
"ASTRAAAA!" A loud voice from behind startled Astra out of her reverie. She halted and turned to locate the source of the call, finding a beautiful girl adorned with a pink ribbon waving enthusiastically. "Astra, wait!"
With a resigned sigh, Astra turned back and resumed walking, attempting to ignore the persistent calls. 'Don't mind her! Don't mind her!' she chanted inwardly, trying to stay focused.
"Astraaaa!" The girl called out once more, her voice growing louder as she closed the distance between them. Despite her initial shock, Astra maintained her composure and continued at her own pace.
"Why don't you pay attention to me when I call you?" the girl asked, her tone tinged with a hint of playful pouting that only added to her charm.
As they walked, Astra couldn't shake the feeling of discomfort. The girl, named Lucy, lived a few streets away from her house and had been her classmate since kinder. Despite Astra's reserved nature, Lucy had stuck by her side, trying to forge a friendship.
"Why would I? I'm not your friend so why would I wait for you?" Astra replied coldly.
"Be my friend then," Lucy said with a smile, her innocence contrasting sharply with Astra's guarded demeanor. Astra remained silent, unsure of how to respond.
Upon reaching the school, they entered the room and took their seats. Astra found herself growing increasingly impatient with Lucy's chatter, longing for the silence of her own thoughts.
'When will she stop talking?' Astra thought to herself as she endured Lucy's incessant chatter. Despite her annoyance, Astra couldn't deny that Lucy's presence provided a semblance of companionship in an otherwise solitary existence.
As the day progressed, their class proceeded without any notable incidents until it was time to leave. Astra made her way towards the door, only to find her path blocked by an intimidating, big fat boy.
"Look who's going to leave. Oh, yeah. It's you, weirdo!" he taunted loudly, eliciting laughter from some of their classmates.
Before Astra could react, Lucy sprang to her defense with unexpected ferocity.
"Why are you laughing? You think it's funny? Maybe she is weird, but it's better to be called weird than be a bully who can't even come to school alone," Lucy retorted, her expression morphing from cute and friendly to menacing in an instant.
Witnessing Lucy's bold defense, Astra felt a flicker of gratitude and admiration. Tentatively, she began to open up to Lucy, finding herself drawn to the girl's unwavering loyalty and courage.
Over the following week, Astra found herself spending more time with Lucy during breaks, gradually warming up to her presence. Eventually, Lucy introduced Astra to her other friends, and Astra couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging among their group.
Lucy's circle of friends extended beyond Astra, encompassing three other individuals. Cassandra, the eldest of the group, exuded a sense of maturity that set her apart from her peers. Despite being in different grades at the same school, Astra observed Cassandra's frank demeanor and keen insight into various matters.
Alongside Cassandra was Luke, a towering figure whose popularity stemmed not from his academic prowess but from his ability to entertain others with his humor. Despite being younger than Cassandra, Luke's affable nature endeared him to many.
Completing the quartet was Max, Lucy's fraternal twin. Unlike his outgoing sister, Max remained reserved and introverted, often staying close to Lucy for comfort and support. Lucy's protective instinct towards Max stemmed from their tumultuous family dynamic, where their parents had expressed a preference for a daughter over a son.
One morning, they decided to head to the nearby park for some fun.
"Lucy, don't hog all the chips," Cassandra admonished as Lucy grabbed too many. Lucy simply grinned in response, unfazed by Cassandra's words.
Because of this, Cass decided to make her way over to Astra. She settled down beside and "Want one?" offered, holding out the packet of chips.
"Thank you," feeling grateful, Astra accepted one.
Cass placed the packet on the table, inviting everyone to grab a chip, but conspicuously keeping it out of Lucy's reach.
Lucy's disappointment was evident as she noticed the chips positioned far from her. With a pleading glance at Astra, she silently implored her to move the packet closer. Responding to Lucy's unspoken request, Astra reached for a chip and extended the packet towards her. Cassandra watched the interaction intently, noting every detail..
"HEY!" Cassandra exclaimed, noticing Astra's action. "Don't spoil her. She'll eat everything!" With a mischievous grin, Lucy dashed off, munching on chips, with Cassandra hot on her heels. The sight of their playful antics brought laughter to the group.
"haha" all of them laughed loudly, their voices echoing through the park.
Astra's laughter tapered off when she heard a faint chuckle nearby. Surprised, she turned to see Max smiling, his laughter a rare sight that warmed her heart. Sensing her gaze, Max quickly averted his eyes.
Meanwhile, Lucy returned with disheveled hair, while Cassandra retained her graceful composure, holding the bag of chips.
"I won't give you any," Cassandra teased, settling down beside Astra. "Don't give her any, I'm warning you!" Astra simply smiled and nodded in agreement.
Lucy playfully pouted, trying to elicit sympathy from Cassandra. "What if I starve to death? You still won't give me any?" Her antics drew laughter from the group.
"Of course not," Cassandra responded with a shy smile, her affection for Lucy evident in her teasing tone. Lucy took advantage of the moment to hug Cass, creating an opportunity to sneak more chips.
As laughter filled the air, Astra felt a sense of gratitude wash over her. For the first time since her parents' passing, she felt truly alive, surrounded by friends who had helped her heal. With a genuine smile, she expressed her gratitude.
"Thank you, guys," she said, her words reflecting the happiness she felt in that moment.
"For what?" Lucy asked, settling down next to Cass, munching on chips. Cass, resigned to Lucy's snacking habits, allowed her to indulge.
"I'm happy because I let myself be with you guys. I didn't think I could have any friends. You took me in and accepted me. I'm lucky to have you guys. Thank you so much," Astra said with happiness evident in her voice, her eyes glistening with tears.
"Aww," Lucy cooed.
"How sweet of you. Don't cry, you soft-hearted girl. If you cry, it will make me cry too," Cass said, offering Astra a comforting embrace.
"I want a hug too," Lucy chimed in eagerly.
"Group hug!" Luke declared, pulling Max into the embrace.
Luke's comedic crying elicited laughter from the group, lightening the mood.
"I hope that we will still be like this even when we are old and have our own kids running around this park," Lucy mused.
"That would be great. Friends forever?" Cass proposed.
"Friends forever," Luke affirmed through his tears.
"Friends forever," Lucy echoed, her joy palpable.
"F-friends forever," Max added softly, his voice filled with sincerity.
As their gazes turned to Astra, silently urging her to join in, she smiled and exclaimed, "Friends forever!"
~
After a day filled with laughter and play, Astra returned home and sank into her bed, feeling tired but content. Reflecting on the day's events, she couldn't help but marvel at the joy of friendship. "So, this is what it feels like to have friends. It feels tiring but amazing," she mused to herself, a smile tugging at her lips.
In the following weeks, Astra continued to spend time with her newfound friends, relishing in their companionship. They shared meals, explored together, and even had their occasional squabbles over trivial matters like chips. Yet, they always made amends before the day ended, reinforcing their bond.
"Mom. Dad. I'm happy with them," Astra whispered softly, gazing up at the ceiling of her bedroom, feeling a sense of warmth and belonging.
However, one night, her peaceful slumber was disrupted by a chilling dream. She found herself in a field of flowers with her family, only for the idyllic scene to morph into darkness. Standing before her was Lucy's father, lifeless on the ground, with a mysterious figure looming over him, gun in hand.
Terrified, Astra watched as the scene unfolded, unable to move as the masked figure disposed of the weapon and vanished into the night. She awoke in a cold sweat, trembling with fear.
Aunt Morph rushed to her side, concern etched on her face as she tried to soothe Astra's panic. As they breathed slowly together, Astra recounted her nightmare, her mind racing with worry.
"It's ok, honey. Don't think too much. I'm here for you," Aunt Morph reassured her, though Astra's unease lingered. "Promise me you won't tell anyone about this, okay? No one," she implored softly, knowing the fragile nature of Astra's innocence.
"Promise," Astra replied with a melancholic smile, her trust in Aunt Morph unwavering. Aunt Morph gently kissed her forehead before quietly leaving the room.
The darkness of the night enveloped Astra, her innocent heart wrestling with the unsettling reality of her dreams, unaware of her latent ability and the complexities it held.
~ To be Continued ~