Pure Heart : Kingdom Hearts II :

Journey Awaits

The first rays of sunlight peek through the curtains, gently illuminating Ava's room as the new day dawns. Stretching her limbs and rubbing the sleep from her eyes, Ava slowly rises from her bed, feeling refreshed and ready to embrace the day ahead.

She takes a moment to gaze at the picture of her foster parents on the bedside table, offering a silent word of gratitude before tucking it back in its place. With a renewed sense of purpose, Ava slips out of her pajamas and stands before her wardrobe, contemplating her attire for the day.

As she brushes her fingers through her hair, feeling its softness and the subtle waves that frame her face, a thought occurs to her. A smile tugs at the corners of her lips. Today, she decides she will let her hair down, allowing its natural beauty to cascade freely.

As Ava gets ready for the day, she carefully selects her outfit, a charming two-piece set. The delicate crochet detailing on the cami top adds a touch of bohemian flair, while the vibrant floral pattern on the shorts exudes a sense of playfulness and femininity.

She slips into the crochet cami top, the tie-back design accentuating her figure and adding an extra element of charm. The soft fabric feels gentle against her skin, allowing her to move freely and comfortably throughout the day. The paperbag waist floral shorts complete the ensemble, cinching at the waist to create a flattering silhouette while offering a relaxed and breezy fit.

As Ava stands before the mirror, she admires the outfit's vibrant colors and youthful energy. Satisfied with her choice, she pairs the ensemble with a pair of comfortable sandals, allowing her feet to breathe and enjoy the warmth of the day. With her hair cascading in loose waves around her shoulders, she feels a sense of confidence and readiness to face whatever the day may bring.

As she finishes getting ready, Ava notices the necklace around her neck. It glimmers softly in the sunlight, catching her attention. Curiosity tugs at her, but she dismisses it as a trick of the light and continues with her morning routine.

Accompanying her long gold chain necklace, which bears a key-shaped pendant passed down from her unknown biological parents, Ava adorns herself with a second dainty necklace. This one holds a small heart pendant, a cherished gift from her loving adoptive parents. To complement her meaningful necklaces, she selects delicate hoop earrings adorned with charms that beautifully echo the designs of her pendant jewelry.

As she makes her way to the kitchen, the inviting smell of home-cooked breakfast wafts through the air. She follows the scent, finding Valerie already there, a smile on her face as she sets the table with plates of pancakes, fresh fruit, and glasses of orange juice.

She securely wears her mid-length blonde hair in soft waves, complemented by bangs, adding a touch of playfulness to her overall look. She wears a black notch-neck tank top with lettuce trim and army green push-buckle belted shorts that highlight her petite figure. In silver, she wears a matching necklace with a heart pendant. Additionally, she wears silver hoops on her ears, adding a subtle shine to her overall appearance, and a silver ring, left to her by her biological parents, rests on her right-hand index finger. Her outfit is complete with black canvas sneakers and a black scrunchie.

"Good morning, Ava!" Valerie greets her sister cheerfully, her eyes immediately drawn to Ava's flowing locks. "Oh, Ava, your hair looks beautiful today! I love it when you let it down." Ava blushes, a mixture of appreciation and mild embarrassment. "Thanks, Val. I thought I'd change things up a bit."

Valerie grins mischievously, gently tugging at a loose strand of Ava's hair. "Well, someone's looking all fancy today. Are you trying to impress someone?" Ava playfully swats Valerie's hand away, her cheeks flushing. "Impress someone? Please, Val. I just wanted a change. But speaking of impressing, you look fabulous today!" She gestures to Valerie's outfit, appreciating her sister's sense of style.

Valerie beams, twirling playfully to showcase her ensemble. "Why, thank you, my dear sister. I do try to, you know."

They sit at the kitchen table, savoring each bite of the delectable breakfast Valerie has prepared. The aroma of pancakes and fresh fruit lingers in the air, adding to the warmth of their shared meal. As they enjoy their food, Valerie's eyes shimmer with excitement, and she reaches into her pocket, retrieving two delicate bracelets. A note is attached, adorned with elegant handwriting that catches Ava's attention.

Valerie passes one of the bracelets to Ava, her expression a mix of curiosity and anticipation. "Look, Ava. I found these bracelets with a note. It says that if we ever need to return to our temporary home, we just need to press this button." Ava's eyebrows knit together as she takes the bracelet in her hands, her gaze shifting between Valerie and the note. She reads the words silently, absorbing their meaning. The realization dawns upon her, and a sense of wonder fills her eyes.

"So, these bracelets will allow us to come back here whenever we need to?" Ava asks, a mixture of excitement and relief in her voice. Valerie nods, her smile brightening. "Yes, that's what it seems like. That woman must have known that we would want a way to return to our temporary home." Ava holds the bracelet in her hand, feeling a sense of security wash over her. "It's comforting to know that we have a way back, a place that feels like home."

As their conversation about the bracelets concludes, Ava's attention is drawn to the delicate ring adorning Valerie's finger, a cherished possession left to her by her biological parents. It glimmers in the morning light, catching Ava's eye. A surge of emotion wells up within her as she grasps the necklace around her own neck, a memento left by her own biological parents. Sensing that something may be weighing on her sister's mind, she reaches out and gently places a hand on Ava's arm.

"Hey, Ava," Valerie says softly, her voice filled with empathy, "Is everything okay?"

Ava hesitates for a moment, her emotions swirling inside her. She appreciates Valerie's concern, but she doesn't want to burden her with her own inner turmoil. She musters a smile, though it doesn't quite reach her eyes.

"Yeah, Val, I'm okay," Ava responds, her voice laced with a hint of reassurance. "Just lost in thought, you know?" Valerie studies Ava's face, sensing there may be more beneath the surface. Yet, she respects Ava's need for privacy and doesn't press further. She offers a supportive nod, silently letting Ava know that she is there for her whenever she's ready to share.

"Alright," Valerie replies, her voice filled with understanding. "Remember, if there's ever anything you want to talk about, I'm here."

Ava's heart swells with gratitude for her sister's unwavering support. She knows Valerie's offer is genuine, but she doesn't want to burden her with her own internal struggles. She takes a deep breath, silently reminding herself of the love and acceptance she has within her family. "I know, Val," Ava replies, her voice filled with appreciation. "I'm grateful for you and everything we have. Let's make the most of this day."

They finish their breakfast, their minds abuzz with thoughts of the journey ahead and the mysteries that await them. Once they clear the table and wash the dishes, Ava and Valerie exchange excited glances as they slip on the bracelets, their fingers tracing the smooth surface. With a shared determination, they decide it's time to venture out and meet up with their friends at the Usual Spot.

They step outside, brimming with anticipation, only to find themselves standing in front of the familiar entrance to the Usual Spot. Their eyes widen in disbelief as they turn around, expecting to see the house they had just left, but instead finding themselves facing the narrow alleyway.

"What... how did we...?" Ava stammers, her voice trailing off in astonishment. Valerie's eyes widen as comprehension dawns upon her. "The bracelets... they brought us back here. That woman... she knew we needed a way to return."

Ava nods, her mind racing with a mix of awe and gratitude. "She gave us the means to navigate between our new home and this world."

Their shock subsides, replaced by a newfound understanding of the purpose behind the bracelets. With renewed determination, they take a step forward, crossing the threshold into the familiar gathering place where their friends await.