Athy

Chapter 2

"Athanasia..."

My eyes widen at the scenery. I stand up from my seat and lean forward; basically pressed against the window. I can't believe my eyes... it's absolutely stunning here. "No way... Lily is this really where we're staying?"

She grins while nodding, "Are you ready?"

This time I think I am.

Only because of these flowers!!! As far as the eye can see, are fields and an abundance of flowers. My eyes tear up a bit at the sight of them. They remind me of home. Lily pulls on my sleeve lightly, eyeing me to sit down. I sit on my knee and stare a little more.

"We will reach our destination approximately in 5 minutes." A rough voice states through the intercom. 

An itchy feeling takes over me for a minute or so. I am almost excited to see where we'll be staying at. I can only hope it will be as lovely as what I already see now. As I think of the endless possibilities, a smile starts to form. I can't help it. "Lily, can you tell me more about where we're going?"

"Just you wait, you're going to love it."

The scenery starts to come more into focus as the train slows down. I place my leg over my seat so I can sit down properly and finish the rest of my muffin before it's too late. I'm sure I'll be too busy for it later. I mean, there'll be plenty to do today: packing, exploring, sightseeing. Actually... will I have time to sightsee?

Finally, the train stops in a small town. I scan it quickly and decide that it's good enough. It's prettier than I pictured it. As I look outside the window, I can hear people talking and laughing outside. I wonder if everyone knows one another and if they'll know that I am not from here. 

My fingers squeeze the insides of my pockets. Then the doors slide open suddenly causing me to flinch. Lily quickly grabs the luggage and urges me forward. I notice that only a few of the passengers leave the train. 

After passing the door, I glance back. Those same haunting thoughts clutter in the back of my mind again. I can hear my heart beating faster with the sound of the train. The door shuts and the train leaves before my heart slows down.

"..." I can feel Lily's stare burning into my back.

"Where to now?" I brush my hair back before dragging the luggage along by Lily's side. "Please tell me it's close! I want to sightsee!" I confess and she laughs in disbelief.

"Ah... well, it's close enough. Isn't it beautiful and homely?"

"Lily!" I'm not buying it.

"It's quite a ways from here if I'm being honest." She rolls her eyes and turns around to ask for help. "Excuse me...!"

My eyes take it all in. This town is indeed beautiful. Nothing at all like I imagined it. I guess I thought it couldn't possibly be like Obelia. My home had it all and is too big to be considered a town. Maybe 5 times the size of this one. I start to sweat nervously at the thought that all my classmates will know each other personally while I'll be considered the outsider, the city girl, or the unwanted. I shake my head.

"Come along now Athanasia."

It takes 10 minutes to get there but I enjoy leaning my head out the cab the entire time there. It's absolute gorgeous here. Endless green fields and music breezing by; my two favorite things.

"It's lovely." I mutter.

The house is a little ways from town but I know that Lily made a great effort to find this place for me. When we step outside, the house glows in the distance. A stone path starts from my feet and leads all the way back to that little house. Other that that house there isn't a single house for miles. Just fields, flowers, trees, and open space. It's a little oasis. Everything I asked for.

"I love it." I whisper as I gaze at it.

"It's not..." Lily says slowly, swallowing nervously. "I know that it's not home-"

I shake my head, "It's close enough. Thank you Lily..."

The walls are an eggshell white, complementing a bright red roof. It doesn't look anything like my house but it's so... comforting. I can't really describe it well. I hastily grab my bags and sprint down the path, Lily chasing after me. "Athanasia! Hold your horses!!" I can no longer suppress a smile. "Slow down! You'll fall!"

"I don't care!" I race up the stairs and slam open the door. Actually I planned to if it were unlocked but it's locked. "Open it up Lily!"

"I said... wait" She's catching her breath, "Agh, here." Tossing the key, Lily glares up at me while gasping for air.

The key loosely fits through the doorknob. I turn it and push the door inward. It's even cuter inside. Two floors. Modern furniture. Plants. "Whoa. It's..."

"It's not much but Felix made sure to take care of everything. So let's settle in."

"I like it. Felix sure knows his stuff." I drag my bag up the stairs and glance around. Three rooms. I pick the room in the far end just to see if I'd like it. It faces the backyard and has a wide space. All the furniture is set up perfectly. Nice Felix. I like it. This will be my room. I check the other rooms and one is a large bathroom with a wide bathtub. I nod in approval. So far so good.

"So... What do you think?" Lily asks after we've settled in and taken a break for lunch. I take a spoonful of my rice and glance up at her, my eyes glowing.

"Everything is perfect. I think I'm going to like it here." My mouth runs off, talking about everything that I noticed about this house. Lily just smiles and pretends to listen while she eats. After I'm done she takes my plate and takes it to the sink.

"That's great. I was a little worried." My fingers reach for some bread while she turns her back on me, "Especially since you're starting school tomorrow."

I stop. The last of my appetite dissipating. 

"Lily."

"Yes?"

"I thought I was starting next week?" I squeak.

"Ah..." She gives me a sheepish smile, "I meant to tell you earlier but it slipped my mind. I just had a call with Felix and he mentioned it would best-"

"What the hell Lily." I pout, "And Felix?? Whose side are you on?"

"Neither."

"Lily!" I groan, pulling my hair.

"Athanasia." She retorts.

"Not cool."

She shakes her head at me, "When you're scared to get into a cold pool of water it's better to just jump right in. The faster you jump in, the faster you'll adjust."

"I hate when you say things like that."

"And I hate when you're stubborn just to be stubborn."

I stuff the bread in my mouth while talking, " Twats nwot twue" (that's not true)

"You just proved my point." She swings her arm in motion to my words. The action causes me to gulp down my food quickly. I choke and cough aggressively in shock. Lily pats my back and laughs at me.

"Not funny."

"Athy... I know it's hard but you know I'm right." I glare at the table and stand up. Defeated and nauseous because that bread was not good. It was disgusting. Also because I'm nervous for tomorrow. 

"I know!" I raise my voice but then quietly I say, "... but Lily."

Lily stares at me with a smile. I can see her eyes brighten. An idea? "We're done with lunch, packing, cleaning up.... How about we do some exploring? And tomorrow when you're done with school we can go sightseeing!"

I roll my eyes, "Do you really think you can bribe me with that?"

"Fine." Her blue eyes dull. She sighs, "We can buy a chocolate cake too."

"Now we're talking."

Lily sighs in disbelief and I drool at the thought of chocolate. "Stop drooling and put your shoes on. We're heading out to see those fields you love so much."