CHAPTER TWO: HEART TO HEART

I woke up to sunshine pouring through my window and birds chirping like they were having the best party ever. Seriously, those birds know how to have fun! . I'm always waking up to the sounds of bird singing every morning.

"It's like I'm smelling a familiar Scent..uncle Adrian at it again"i smiled

The smell of pancakes wafted up the stairs, making my stomach do a little happy dance.pancakes is my favorite food ever since I started living in the human world. I immediately got off my bed, brushed my teeth and rushed towards the kitchen

"Morning, Uncle Adrian!" I exclaimed, rushing into the kitchen. There he was, flipping pancakes like a pro. I swear, he could be a chef or something.My uncle makes the best dishes . He has always had my back ever since I lost my parents. He was the one that made the idea that we run away and move the human world but I'm sure he doesn't knows about my secret of me talking to books and I have never for once told anyone even my parents didn't know . All they knew is that I have great obsessions for books and going to the library.

"Hey, Elysia! Got your favorite pancakes coming right up!" Uncle Adrian grinned, looking super happy. Man, I love this guy. I love my uncle so much , ever since my parents departed this world, he has never made me feel a difference like having them in here.

I plopped down at the kitchen table, taking a moment to admire Uncle Adrian's awesomeness. He's tall, has a cool beard, and a smile that could light up a room. "Thanks, Uncle Adrian. You're the best!"

He chuckled, flipping another pancake onto the stack. "You're family, kiddo. Family sticks together."

" I know right" I said and he smirk

We dug into our pancakes, chatting about everything from the crazy weather to my latest book obsession. It was like catching up with an old friend, but way cooler because he's family.

"So, how's it been, living here with your old uncle?" Uncle Adrian asked, pouring syrup over his pancakes.

"It's been epic!" I replied, devouring another bite of pancake. "Having a home again, and hanging out with you, makes it awesome!"i said as i stretch my arm to the air

Uncle Adrian gave me a warm smile. "I'm glad you're enjoying it, Elysia. You're always welcome here, you know."

" I know" I said and he laughed

" You don't stop to amaze me little Elysia... Your confidence is top notch" he said and I rolled my eyes playfully

"I learned from the best " I said and we both laughed again

After breakfast, Uncle Adrian and I headed out to the garden. He's got this magical touch with plants; they practically bow down to him.

"Uncle Adrian, do you ever miss Aunt Lilura?" I asked, trying to distract myself by watering the flowers.

His face softened, and he looked kinda sad for a moment. "Yeah, I miss her every day, Elysia. But I know she's always with me, in my heart and memories."he said as he placed his hand on his chest .

I reached over and gave his hand a squeeze. "I'm sorry, Uncle Adrian. I can't imagine how tough it must be."

" Tough you say" he said as he looked at me

" Yeah... But you are the strongest man I know"

He smiled, looking grateful. "Thanks, kiddo. Having you here makes it a little less lonely. You remind me a lot of Lilura – strong, independent, and full of life."

" awwww.... You look so cute talking about her"he said and we both laughed

" You always have a way of making the best out of sad situations”he said as he called me out for a hug and I couldn't resist but hug him back. He is the strongest individual I know, he has never for once maltreated me, he treats me like his dearest own.

"So, Elysia, do you miss your parents?" he asked, looking all serious.

I hesitated for a moment, then decided to open up a little. "Yeah, I do," I admitted, trying to keep it light. "But hey, let's talk about something else! Have you heard about that new game everyone's playing?"

Uncle Adrian caught on and played along. "Oh, the one with the crazy puzzles? Yeah, I've heard it's pretty addictive!"

", extremely addictive... I saw some group of people playing the game some times back , the game is everything " I speak to my uncle like I'm speaking to my peers and he doesn't mind and he has never for once demanded a respect from me probably because he has already earned it. He only scolds me and I understand that it's all for the best and it's all for making me a better person .

"Hey, Elysia," "Life's a crazy ride with its ups and downs, twists and turns. But no matter what happens, I've got your back, cheering you on every step .

"Uncle Adrian," I said, trying to sound casual, "Can you tell me a story? Maybe about Aunt Lilura?"

He paused, his face clouding over with a mixture of sadness and hesitation. For a moment, I regretted asking, thinking maybe it was too soon to bring up painful memories. But then he sighed and looked at me with a watery smile.

"Alright, Elysia," he began, his voice soft and trembling, "I'll tell you about the day Lilura was killed in the demon territory."

I scooted closer to him, sensing the importance of this story. I held my breath, waiting for him to continue.

"We were exploring the demon territory, searching for rare plants," Uncle Adrian started, his eyes distant as if he was reliving the memories. "Lilura was always passionate about botany, just like me. We were so engrossed in our search that we didn't notice we had wandered into a dangerous area."

He took a deep breath before continuing, "Suddenly, a group of demons ambushed us. They were after a sacred plant we had accidentally stumbled upon. Lilura tried to reason with them, but they were ruthless. In the struggle that ensued, she... she didn't make it."

Tears streamed down Uncle Adrian's face, and I felt a lump in my throat. I reached out and hugged him tightly, letting him know that I was there for him.

"I'm so sorry, Uncle Adrian," I whispered, my own eyes brimming with tears. "I can't even imagine how hard that must have been for you."

He hugged me back, his body shaking with sobs. We stayed like that for what felt like an eternity, sharing our grief and comforting each other.

After a while, Uncle Adrian pulled away, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. "Thank you, Elysia," he said, his voice still shaky but grateful. "I needed to share that with someone."

I smiled at him, trying to lighten the mood. "Well, you're stuck with me, Uncle Adrian! And don't worry, I'll make sure to stay away from any dangerous territories!"

Uncle Adrian chuckled, the tension in the room lifting slightly. "You better, kiddo! I don't think I could handle losing another loved one."

The rest of the day was a mix of emotions. We laughed, we cried, and we even managed to have some fun. Uncle Adrian taught me how to make his famous spaghetti sauce, and I showed off my not-so-great dancing skills. Let's just say, we both needed the distraction.

As evening approached, Uncle Adrian looked at me with a grateful smile. "Thank you, Elysia," he said, his voice stronger now. "Today was hard, but it also brought us closer together."

I grinned back at him, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. "Anytime, Uncle Adrian. Remember, we're a team! And teams stick together, no matter what."

He laughed at my enthusiasm, shaking his head in amusement. "You're absolutely right, Elysia. We're a team, and I wouldn't have it any other way."

"Look, Uncle Adrian! I'm a fairy!" I giggled, doing my best fairy impression complete with sparkly sound effects.

Uncle Adrian burst into laughter, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Oh, Elysia, you never cease to brighten my day! You truly are a magical fairy."

I curtsied dramatically, beaming with pride. "Why, thank you, kind sir! It's all in a day's work for Fairy Elysia."

We laughed together, the weight of our previous conversation now lifted. It felt good to see Uncle Adrian smile again, and I knew that my fairy antics had done the trick.As we continued to laugh and chat, Uncle Adrian suddenly grew serious again. He looked at me with a thoughtful expression, as if contemplating something important.

"Elysia," he began, "I think it's time we start preparing for your future. I've found a school nearby that I think would be perfect for you."

My eyes widened in excitement. A new school? This was big news! I felt a rush of anticipation and gratitude towards Uncle Adrian.

"Really, Uncle Adrian? That's amazing!" I exclaimed, unable to contain my excitement. "I can't thank you enough for thinking of me." I said close to tears " I owe you a lot uncle "

He smiled warmly at me, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "You don't owe me anything, Elysia. All you owe yourself is the opportunity to be a better person, to learn and grow. That's what life's all about."

We both chuckled at his wise words, and I felt a surge of affection for my uncle. He had been through so much, yet here he was, thinking of my future and encouraging me to be the best version of myself.For the rest of the day, we talked excitedly about the new school. Uncle Adrian shared all the details he had learned, and I listened eagerly, hanging on to every word. It sounded like an amazing place, filled with opportunities to learn and make new friends.

As evening approached, Uncle Adrian looked at me with a proud smile. "I'm glad you're excited, Elysia. This is a new chapter in your life, and I know you're going to do great things."

I hugged him tightly, feeling a mixture of excitement and gratitude. "Thank you, Uncle Adrian. I promise I'll make the most of this opportunity. You mean the world to me, and I want to make you proud."

He hugged me back, his eyes misty with emotion. "You already have, Elysia. You already have."

As I lay in bed that night, my mind was buzzing with excitement for the future. A new school, new friends, and a fresh start; it was all happening so fast, and I couldn't wait to see what the future held.

But amidst all the excitement, one thing was clear: Uncle Adrian was my rock, my guiding light. His love and support meant everything to me, and I knew that no matter where life took me, he would always be there, cheering me on every step of the way.