LIFELINE | 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙘𝙮 𝙒𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙡𝙚𝙮

▪︎ 40.

It was another lazy summer day.

The hot sun brought out the best of laziness in Eliza as she was sprawled across the mattress, flicking through her copy of Beedle the Bard, while her cat slept at her usual corner

To be quite fair, it was getting boring around the house. It was only so much that she could talk to Jane and keep herself busy all by herself. It reminded her about one of the conversations she shared about Percy about siblings.

"Imagine growing up alone. You can't, can you? That's the magic of siblings. You'd be very different if they were never there."

How would her life have turned out if she had siblings? She thought aimlessly.

It'd be a lot less boring. She thought back.

The evening was rolling in as Eliza finished her book and got up. She stared around the room, her eyes finally landing on her clock. Slowly, getting up, she stretched herself, a plan forming in her head.

She couldn't stay so lonely during the summers. It was eating her brain.

As soon as she landed on the last step, the fireplace in her home housed a green flame, her mother stepping out, and just a second later, her father, both tired from chasing leads or covert missions, working over time.

"Hey mum, hey dad," Eliza said, walking in.

"Hi, kiddo." Her dad spoke back. "Fun day?" He asked, making Eliza snort. He gave her a questioning look.

"What?" Eliza said, shrugging. "It gets boring all alone."

"Ouch." Jane said from the kitchen.

"You know what I mean," Eliza said with a small eye roll.

Her mother grinned. "No secret love letters from Percy?" She questioned. Eliza sighed.

"I can only write for so long." Eliza replied.

They moved to the dining room and sat down, her parents doing a quick washup before taking their chairs as Jane kept the crockery items. Before they started their dinner, Jane completed her chores, waving the Calderon's goodbye and apparating.

"So, what did you mean earlier?" Her mom asked as she took her fill of casserole.

Eliza patiently waited for her share and took a bite before talking.

"It's just me. It gets boring, I don't even have siblings." She said with a pointed look at her parents.

"Don't blame me," Her dad said quickly. "I've always told your mom that we needed another child." He added with a smirk.

Her mom glared at her dad. "Oh sure."

Eliza sighed again. "Listen, can I just Floo to Claire's home? I've asked her, and she was okay with it."

"Been planning this, have you?" Her father asked, narrowing his eyes before taking a bite.

Eliza smirked a little, "You can hardly blame me."

"Why the sudden idea after all these years?" Her mom enquired curiously, taking a sip of her glass of water.

Eliza snorted. "I've finally recognized feelings and labeled this as loneliness. Look, can I go? Please, I'll stay there for the day and come back before evening." She pleaded, hoping that they wouldn't deny her. They really weren't harsh on her to deny her, seeing as she was their only child, but there was still a chance where they thought the idea of her going to Claire's house every day was far-fetched.