A Love Across Time

Chapter 3: "Family, Friends, and Chaos"

Hera's morning began with the incessant ringing of her alarm clock, punctuated by the persistent banging on her door. She groggily stumbled out of bed, went through her morning routine, and opened the door to find her younger sister, Lily, wearing a ghost mask. Startled, Hera recoiled, then launched into a playful chase around the house, laughter echoing through the rooms.

After their excitement settled, the family gathered for breakfast. Hera's mom served up a delicious meal, and they ate together in comfortable silence, savoring the warmth of their shared company. With breakfast finished, Lily headed off to catch her school bus, and Hera made her way to the nearby bus station for her university classes. Meanwhile, their dad left for work, and Hera's mom continued with her household tasks, the familiar rhythm of their daily lives unfolding seamlessly.

The Goof Troop certainly knows how to make an entrance! As Hera entered her university, she was immediately enveloped in a bone-crushing hug from her friends Lia, Rose, and Hana—the troublemakers of the university. They were a force to be reckoned with, known for their mischievous antics and their knack for attracting trouble wherever they went.

Hera and Rose made up one half of the Goof Troop duo, while Lia and Hana formed the other. Together, they were experts in harmless pranks and loved causing a ruckus just for the thrill of it. One minute you'd be laughing at someone else's predicament, and the next, you'd find yourself at the center of their next scheme.

As the classes began, Hera and Rose settled into their seats when suddenly, a bucket of water drenched Hera from head to toe. With a playful look, Hera glanced at Rose, who wore a mischievous smile. Without missing a beat, the two friends started chasing each other around the classroom until the professor intervened.

Exasperated by the daily chaos, the professor sighed and motioned for Hera to go change. While Hera returned to the classroom, damp but unfazed, the class finally settled down to begin their studies. The Goof Troop might have a reputation for causing mayhem, but they knew when to switch gears and focus on their studies—until the next opportunity for mischief presented itself, of course.

As lunch break approached, Hera and Rose settled into their usual spot in the cafeteria, eagerly awaiting the arrival of Hana and Lia. The trays of food were already on the table when Hana and Lia finally joined them. But as soon as they took a bite, their faces twisted in disgust—they had been pranked with an excessive amount of salt in their food. Hera and Rose couldn't help but smirk mischievously at their friends.

Determined to get revenge, Hana and Lia exchanged glances and quietly decided on their plan. They excused themselves to get proper food, returning to enjoy their lunch without any salty surprises. After the meal, with classes canceled for the day, the Goof Troop decided to head to a nearby cafe to hang out.

Inside the cafe, they ordered their drinks and settled at a table, diving into their usual banter and gossip. Suddenly, a loud thud interrupted their conversation. They turned to see an elderly woman sprawled on the floor, her spilled drink soaking the person in front of her. The man began to berate the woman, his frustration clear.

Without hesitation, Hera and her friends intervened. They apologized on behalf of the elderly woman and assured the man they would take care of the situation. Hera personally offered her money to cover the cleaning costs of the man's shirt, and together they helped the elderly woman sit up. They purchased her a new drink, reminded her to be careful, and bid her farewell with smiles.

As the girls left the cafe and began heading towards their respective homes, the old lady they had helped watched them with a warm smile. As Hera passed by, the elderly woman's eyes twinkled with recognition. She leaned in close, her voice soft and reminiscent.

"You haven't changed, little one," the old lady whispered.

Hera turned back, surprised by the woman's words. There was something about her tone that stirred a sense of familiarity, although Hera couldn't quite place it. She offered a warm smile in return, feeling a sense of connection to this stranger who seemed to know more about her than expected.

With a final nod of gratitude, Hera continued on her way, the encounter lingering in her mind. The words echoed softly in her thoughts, sparking a curiosity that she couldn't shake off.

As Hera entered her home, she was greeted by the enticing aroma of delicious food wafting from the kitchen. Alongside her, Lily's voice echoed through the house—not with tears, but with the sound of singing, belting out a karaoke tune. Amused by her initial confusion, Hera chuckled to herself and made her way further inside.

In the kitchen, Hera found her mom busy cooking japchae, a favorite dish that often sparked friendly chaos between Hera and her sister. Her mom smiled warmly at her daughter. "I made a huge batch today since you and Lily always battle over japchae," she teased affectionately.

"Thanks, Mom! You're the best," Hera exclaimed with genuine gratitude, hugging her mom before heading to the living room. There, she found Lily multitasking—watching TV and diligently working on her homework simultaneously. Hera shook her head with a fond sigh, marveling at her sister's impressive skills.

As they settled in for dinner, their dad arrived with a bouquet for their mom and ice cream treats for the kids, further adding to the evening's joyful atmosphere. The family gathered around the table, enjoying the meal together with laughter and lively conversation.

After dinner, everyone retreated to their respective rooms, feeling content and grateful for the warmth and love that filled their home. Hera lay in bed, reflecting on the day's events, feeling fortunate to have such a loving and lively family by her side.