Natural

Chapter 2

Eira wrapped her arms around her mother and clung to her side, looking up at the Principle who was ready to blow smoke out her ears.

"This has become an issue Mrs Ilidove, first Kale and now Eira has begun-"
"Eira has begun nothing, if she hit this boy it was in self-defense. Look at my daughter! Do you think she hit herself hard enough to bleed? You'll turn a blind eye just because that brat was adopted by a family that owns you all. Well, they don't own us, and if it means my daughter has to fight that kid every day just to come to school. so be it."

In other words, Eira's mother basically told her to deal with it.
They could still hear the principal raising her voice as they walked out of the school and past Dylan who was being embraced by Owen Vexx, his adopted father and the woman who owned almost everything. Lydia Vexx, her name was plastered on almost every brick in Eastspring. Almost.

Lydia was glaring directly at them as they were walking by and before they could make it off school grounds, she called out to them. Eira's mother stopped in her place and held onto her daughter's shoulder as they spoke.

"You better keep that girl under control, Thalia."
"Odd, that's exactly what I was going to say about your boy, Vexx."

Eira could see the woman trying not to let that comment phase her, clasping her hands together while smiling tightly. It was uncommon for anyone to call her mother by her first name and Eira knew it was meant to show disrespect, but her mother didn't seem bothered by this, she wasn't even attempting to hide her disdain for Lydia Vexx.
Owen reached out and grabbed his wife's arm, stopping her in her tracks before she could start. Eira and her mother started to walk past the grounds and with a glance back Eira watched as Lydia turned her head to glare into them, her high ponytail bobbing as she announced.

"Beware of yourself, those woods can't protect you forever!"

Eira's mother snorted as they walked hand in hand past the treeline and into the woods, silent for minutes before Eira swallowed the feeling in her throat and spoke.
"Mum, I'm sor-"
"Don't apologize, I know you didn't start the fight and I'm proud of you for standing up for yourself."

Eira glanced up at her mother who was smiling warmly down at her, relaxing her shoulders slightly as they stepped over tree roots and listened to the music of nature. It didn't take long for the little house to come into view, the two walking into the aroma of pancakes, spotting Eira's father by the dining table and placing down two plates.

"Hey, you two! Pancakes are almost done."
"Hi, Dad."
He quickly kissed Eira's forehead and then her mother's before serving the pancakes, taking a seat afterward and watching as Eira poured some lemon juice and sugar over her plate.

"So, you had an eventful day huh?"

Eira shrugged and lifted the pancake to her lips, smiling widely as she stuffed it into her mouth and felt the fluffiness. Thalia, Eira's mother, spoke in her place.
"The Vexx Brat hit Eira, she defended herself. Not much to say really, once again they get away with everything."

It wasn't hard to miss the look that crossed her father's face, he didn't like the Vexx's that was certain but he did soften slightly when it came to Dylan. He rubbed Thalia's arm to soothe her and spoke.

"You gotta remember though he was an orphan before they took him in, he probably had a rough time in the system and I doubt Lydia Vexx has attempted to treat him better...you know Owen has though."

Eira knew what her father was talking about, Dylan had been an orphan since he was a baby left on the doorstep of the Healing House, being adopted by the Vexx family years later. No one knew if Lydia had actually wanted Dylan or if she just used the opportunity as a way to boost their family name and legacy, but it was known that Owen truly cared and adored Dylan as his own.
At that thought Thalia sighed and agreed, mumbling as she finished her plate of pancakes.

"That still doesn't mean he can hit Eira..."

Once her name was said Eira started clearing up the table and quickly without many words slinked into her room, closing the door with a firm sigh.

Meanwhile, downstairs in the kitchen her mother and father spoke in hushed voices, Thalia rubbing her arms.
"I'm worried Archer, First Kale, and now Eira? What if she..."

"Don't worry dear, Eira will be okay. She's our daughter after all."
"You know what I mean, With Kale not around as much he's disconnected but Eira...any day now..."

Archer, Eira's father, hugged her from behind, sighing lightly.

"She will tell you won't she? And Kale could still..."

He didn't finish that sentence, seeing the skeptical look Thalia was giving him before running her hand over his and smiling.
"I think she would, I've raised her better than my mother raised me."
"Then you have nothing to worry about, she will tell us in her own time when she's ready."

"I've been hearing it less and less you know? It's barely above a whisper now...Any day now..."