Chapter Four : Family

Aimee's POV

What should I do?

I continue kicking the poor stone that was just laying on the side of the street, as I recall the things Airel has told me. What are the odds that I was born in a mystical world? I mean... really though, I feel like all this is a just sick prank for me.

I did see her using magic but still...

I sigh in frustration as continue to kick the poor stone.

"What should I do? Should I just ignore her from now on? But this is the first time someone approached me, and I do want to be her friend. It's just..." I stop walking as I lift up my head to look at the sky.

Instead of the usual sky blue color, the sky envelops in a warm orange color of the sun setting.

I took a deep breath as the warm wind blew past me. Then I start walking home again, once I wake up tomorrow maybe my thoughts will be cleared.

.

.

.

Nighttime came... once I'd finished eating dinner, I headed upstairs back to my room.

Opening my phone, I play some music to distract myself from my thoughts, so I can do my homework in peace.

"All right math, it's you and me, alone in this room. Let's see how tough you are!" I mumbled to myself as I open my math homework.

"Who are you talking to?" I jump in surprise when a voice suddenly spoke from behind me.

"Jake!! Learn to knock please!" I roll my eyes while pushing away his face.

"What? You are the one who left the door open you know? Besides it clearly states from our house rules... that once someone left their door open and that someone is inside their room, we can just enter without knocking. You are the one who suggested that, remember? Aimee?" my brother sarcastically said to me.

"Fine... what do you want?" I swivel my chair to face him as I close my notebook.

I merely suggested that rule when I was young since Jake always hides snacks inside his room. I would often sneak inside his room while he is busy reading books and grab his snacks away. 

"Nothing. Just going to see what you are up to," He replies as he sat down on the ottoman.

"As you can see, dear brother... I'm currently doing my homework in which you interrupt," I jokingly said to him and throw him my math homework.

"Why are you giving this to me?" he asks confused.

"Answer it for me please~," I ask while looking at him with puppy eyes.

"Ugh... stop doing that you look terrible!" he pretended to be disgusted while he analyzes my homework.

A smile forms on my lips as I watch him flip open my notebook. Although he acts like a tough guy who bullies me every time, he also has a soft side.

"Geez... can't you be honest and just say okay? Anyway, how are Jane these days? She's constantly busy for me to talk to her. I miss her already!" I sigh as I grab my other homework.

Since Jake will do my math homework, I might as well do my English one.

"Don't worry she's just completing her projects, soon she will visit here," he answers, a smile forming on his face. To think my brother is this smitten with her, I never imagined for him to be like this.

Though, I'm still thankful that they met... because ever since then, my brother looks more alive and happy.

Even my mom and dad look even happier when Jane arrived here. I don't know why but... to me, they always look like they are longing for someone. I tried to ask them before if they are waiting for someone to arrive. They will stare at me confused.

"Here, this is quite easy you know? Anyway, I'm going back to my room. Just knock if you have any more homework to do. See ya~," my brother messes my hair before leaving my room.

"Geez... why does he like messing my hair? Does he even know how hard it is to fix a girl's hair?" I grumble to myself as I try tidying my messy hair.

=

Upon opening my eyes, I found myself floating above a humble village surrounded by a lush green forest.

I slowly lower myself to the ground, a breath of fresh air embraces me. Even though the village is small, the people living here are all lively and healthy.

Every house I passed by is made of stones, and the roofs are made of strange-looking woods. The people are wearing modest clothing, without any accessories or jewelry.

"What am I doing here?" I ask myself, still wandering around.

And as if to respond to me, I felt a sudden pull towards a simple house in the far corner of the village.

"You're back! I'm glad you're back safe and sound!" a woman came out of the house and greeted me with an affectionate smile.

The woman possesses simple short, brown hair, brown sharp eyes, upturned nose, and thin pink lips. Unlike the other people I've seen in this village, she looks nobler although she is also wearing modest clothing.

For some reason... my heart faster the moment I heard her voice.

"Do you know me?" I asked the woman.

The woman only smiles at me and offers her right hand.

I was about to touch her hand when a man's hand touch it first. I looked back and saw a man about 6 ft tall, standing right behind me. The man has short ebony hair, tender hazel eyes, a pointed nose, and a warm smile on his thin lips. The same as the woman, this man also has a noble aura around him. He is carrying bags of fruits and vegetables in his left hand.

"I'm home! How are they? Are they inside?" he asked with a smile, pulling the woman closer to him as he kisses her forehead.

"They are in the backyard. They are playing with our youngest. Eloisa and Louise are going to be good older sisters to our dear Aimee," the woman answers with a smile as she assists the man carry the bags he is holding.

I froze the moment I heard my name escape from her lips.

"W-what did she say?" I stutter as I stare at their figures walking inside their house.

"Wait! What did you just say?!" raising my hand, I tried to grab them only for them to disappear inside the house.

Once I enter the house, a familiar feeling starts to creep inside my heart. Blood rushes to my ears as my heart thump began thumping so loud, it was almost deafening. The scent of this house... it was a scent that I find so familiar.

"Why does this place feel so familiar? Have I been here before?" Glancing around the room, I mumble to myself, as I followed the two familiar figures to another door.

A dazzling light blinded me for a moment before my eyesight adjusted. And what greets me is a sight that almost made me cry.

The woman and the man both sitting on two wooden chairs while looking lovingly at the three children playing in their private garden. The tallest among the kids is about eight years old. She has short but silky dark brown hair, round lovely cyan eyes, a pointed nose, and pink plump lips. She is smiling joyously while making a flower crown.

The second one is probably only about six years old. She has long curling brunette hair, ash grey eyes, a pointed nose, and rosy thin lips. The girl is cradling a one-year-old baby on her lap. My eyes focus on the baby on her lap. I can't help but felt an attachment to this baby.

The baby already has short slightly curly chestnut hair, adorable round clear pink eyes, a pointed nose, and cute pink pouty lips. She is holding a small teddy bear in her small plump hands.

"I present this crown to my dear little sister. I hope you will live a life full of happiness," the dark brown-haired girl announced before placing the flower crown on the baby's head.

I can feel my heart thumping faster and faster the more I observe them. There was this feeling blooming inside my heart that is making me want to hug them. Is it because I have the same name as that baby? 

Then why do I feel like this? Why do I feel a strong longing for them? Why... why do I want to be with them?