Darian woke to the sound of roosters crowing, the faint scent of dew-soaked grass wafting through the open window of his room. Outside, Green Hollow stretched in quiet serenity—a patchwork of farmland bordered by the distant shimmer of the Aedril Forest.
He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and shuffled to the small table near his bed, where a half-finished project awaited him. A crude gadget made from bits of scavenged metal and enchanted wood sat there, waiting for the final touches. Today's goal was simple: fix the tiny water purifier before the crops wilted under the sweltering sun.
"Darian, are you up?" his mother's voice carried through the house, warm and steady.
"Yeah, just a minute!" he called back, his fingers twisting a small screw into place.
By the time he joined her in the kitchen, the smell of fresh bread filled the air. Clara, her brown hair tied back in a loose braid, greeted him with a knowing smile.
"Don't spend all your time tinkering. Mira's been waiting outside since sunrise."
Darian's cheeks flushed. "I didn't hear her."
Clara chuckled. "She's your best friend, not a ghost. Go on, before she breaks the door down."
---
Outside, Mira leaned against the wooden gate, arms crossed. Her blonde hair caught the sunlight, and her grin widened as Darian approached.
"Took you long enough," she teased. "Thad's already at the river, and Lila said she'd meet us there too."
Darian shrugged. "I was busy."
"With what? Another one of your inventions?" Mira asked, poking his arm.
"Something like that."
They began the walk to the river, the familiar dirt paths lined with wildflowers. Along the way, Mira chattered about a story she'd heard from a passing merchant—a tale of magical cities and knights with blades that could cut through steel. Darian listened with quiet interest, occasionally chiming in with a question.
When they reached the riverbank, Thad was already there, skipping stones across the water. His broad shoulders and easy grin made him an imposing figure, but he waved at them like an excited child.
"Took you two long enough!" Thad boomed, tossing a flat stone to Mira. "Think you can beat my record?"
"I'll try," Mira said, rolling her eyes.
As they played, Lila arrived, carrying a small pouch filled with glowing beads. She settled beside Darian, offering him one of the beads.
"Look," she whispered. "Grandmother showed me how to make them. They light up when you hold them in the dark."
Darian turned the bead over in his hand, the faint glow reflecting in his eyes. "How does it work?"
"It's… complicated," Lila said shyly. "But it's magic."
---
By midday, the group sprawled on the grass, watching the clouds drift by. Thad told ridiculous stories, Mira laughed until her sides ached, and Lila hummed a tune her grandmother used to sing. Darian listened, a small smile on his lips.
These moments felt infinite—safe, simple, and whole. But beneath the surface, Darian couldn't shake the feeling that his life was meant for something more.
He gazed at the sky, a mix of longing and apprehension swirling in his chest. The scholarship letter sat tucked away in his room, a promise of a new life beyond Green Hollow. But as he glanced at his friends, the thought of leaving tightened like a knot in his stomach.
For now, he would hold onto this peace for as long as he could.