Lucathy: Healing Hearts

Chapter 1

Athy stepped out of the school gate, her backpack slung over her shoulder. She took a deep breath, feeling the sun on her skin and the gentle breeze in her hair. She enjoyed these quiet moments, away from the hustle and bustle of school life. She walked along the sidewalk, lost in thought, until she heard a familiar voice behind her.

"Hey, Athy!" It was one of her classmates, waving at her. Athy smiled and waved back, before turning back to her thoughts. She was thinking about her father, Claude, and their strained relationship.

As the mayor of the city, Claude was a busy man, and he often put work before his family. Athy understood that he had responsibilities, but she couldn't help feeling like he didn't care about her. She missed her mother, who had passed away giving birth to her, and wished that Claude could be more like her.

Lost in her thoughts, Athy didn't notice the boy walking towards her until she bumped into him. She stumbled back, almost losing her balance, before the boy caught her by the arm.

"Watch where you're going," he said, his voice cold and sharp. Athy looked up at him, and was taken aback by his striking features. He had black hair and ruby red eyes, and his expression was one of annoyance.

"I'm sorry," Athy said, feeling flustered. "I wasn't paying attention."

The boy huffed, before walking away. Athy watched him go, feeling a strange mix of curiosity and annoyance. Who was he, and why was he so rude?

As she walked home, Athy couldn't help thinking about the boy.

"Such a pretty face... What a waste."

When Athy arrived home, she found Claude sitting in his study, surrounded by paperwork. He looked up as she entered, but quickly went back to his work.

"Hi, Father," Athy said, trying to sound cheerful.

"Hello, Athanasia," Claude replied, his tone distant.

Athy sighed, feeling the familiar ache in her chest. She wished she could talk to him about her day, but she knew better than to bother him when he was working.

"I'm going to my room to study," Athy said, making her way to the stairs.

"Alright," Claude said, not looking up from his work.

Athy made her way to her room, feeling dejected. She knew she should be grateful for what she had, but sometimes it felt like she was living in a different world from her father. She sat down at her desk and opened her textbook, but found that she couldn't concentrate. Her mind, for unknown reasons, kept drifting back to the boy with the ruby red eyes, and she started to get annoyed.

Why?