Her father called from outside, carrying in a few fresh vegetables.
Father (playful): Next up, the vegetables! Get to peeling, little miss speedster.
Athea sighed but picked up a potato and started peeling it with a determined look.
Athea (muttering to herself): Come on... just one last thing...
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she finished and put down the last pot she'd scrubbed. She dried her hands and rushed to her father, looking as casual as she could manage.
Father (smiling, impressed): Wow, done so fast! Guess you're in a hurry, huh?
Athea (nervous but trying to hide it): Uh, maybe... I mean, I just wanted to play a bit!
Father (chuckling, giving her a playful nudge): Well, you're free to go, but remember, no playing near the woods, alright?
Athea (nodding quickly): Yep, no woods, got it!
As she walked out the door, her heart raced with excitement. Now, finally, she could go see Rei.
Athea lingered close to her house, pretending to play with a stick on the ground while keeping one eye on the forest. She absentmindedly drew circles in the dirt with her toe, huffing a little as she paced, hoping no one was watching her too closely.
Just then, her mother stepped outside, glancing around before spotting her.
Mother (curious, slightly amused): Athea, what are you doing out here? Playing all by yourself?
Athea (faking a smile, trying to act casual): Yep! Just… exploring. I, uh, found this really neat rock.
She held up a pebble, pretending it was the most fascinating thing she'd ever seen. Her mother chuckled, coming over to ruffle her hair.
Mother (teasing): Well, just remember, no sneaking off. Your father wouldn't like it if you ended up wandering too close to the woods again.
Athea (nodding, trying to seem casual): Oh, I know. The woods… so scary and full of sticks and… rocks.
Just as her mother went back inside, another villager passing by waved at her.
Villager (cheerful): Athea! Keeping out of trouble, right? No sneaking off like yesterday?
Athea (feigning innocence): Of course! I'd never sneak off. Just staying right here!
But as soon as the villager was out of sight, Athea let out a small sigh, looking back longingly at the edge of the forest. She shifted from foot to foot, frustrated, wracking her brain for a way to sneak past the village eyes on her.
Athea (thinking, determined): Alright, maybe if I wait for the sun to go down a little… they'll all be busy at home. Just wait a bit longer, Rei.
Athea sat at the table, practically inhaling her food, shoveling each bite as if it might run away. Her parents exchanged amused glances as they watched her.
Father (teasing, raising an eyebrow): Whoa, slow down, kiddo! The food's not going anywhere. What's the hurry, huh?
Mother (smiling): Honestly, Athea, I've never seen you eat so fast! You must've worked up quite an appetite today.
Athea (smiling nervously): Uh, yeah! Just... really hungry, I guess. Heh…
She finished her last bite, wiped her mouth, and hopped up from the table, darting toward the door.
Athea (cheerful, calling back as she left): Thanks! I'm going to go... uh, play for a bit!
Father (teasing): Just no sneaking off to the woods, alright? We don't need any more wild stories in the village!
Athea (faking innocence): Of course not! Just... around here.
Athea sat outside, fidgeting and glancing around as the last light of day faded into dusk. She looked back at the house every so often, checking if her parents were still awake. She knew she had to be careful; if they saw her trying to sneak off, her chance to visit him would be gone.
Athea (mumbling to herself, eyes on the house): Come on, fall asleep already… just a little longer…
The crickets started their evening song, and the night breeze gently swept through the trees, lulling her. She hugged her knees, resting her chin as her eyelids grew heavy. She fought to keep her eyes open, trying to focus on her mission, but the day had taken its toll.
Athea (blinking, groggy): Just... a few more minutes…
Without realizing, her head dipped, and she drifted off, curled up on the ground by the house. The stars slowly emerged above, the night growing quiet as her soft breaths blended with the sounds of the forest.
Athea sat outside, fidgeting and glancing around as the last light of day faded into dusk. She looked back at the house every so often, checking if her parents were still awake. She knew she had to be careful; if they saw her trying to sneak off, her chance to visit him would be gone.
Athea (mumbling to herself, eyes on the house): Come on, fall asleep already… just a little longer…
The crickets started their evening song, and the night breeze gently swept through the trees, lulling her. She hugged her knees, resting her chin as her eyelids grew heavy. She fought to keep her eyes open, trying to focus on her mission, but the day had taken its toll.
Athea (blinking, groggy): Just... a few more minutes…
Without realizing, her head dipped, and she drifted off, curled up on the ground by the house. The stars slowly emerged above, the night growing quiet as her soft breaths blended with the sounds of the forest.