Old Days Break Free [ON HOLD]

33

The Truth must be Told - 2

Lorraine's POV

"This is how you wear it." Athena took the small, chick-shaped clip from my hand with a playful grin, her movements swift and intentional. Before I could react, she secured it to my hair, her fingers working with ease as though she had planned this all along.

“There,” she said, stepping back slightly to admire her handiwork.

Her eyes sparkled with pure delight, her smile widening. The amusement park lights reflected in her gaze, adding an extra glow to her already radiant face.

Her happiness was contagious—so much so that it was almost tangible. You couldn’t count her joy on your fingers; it was overflowing, uncontainable.

It radiated from her, lighting up the entire evening as though the world had temporarily shrunk down to just the two of us in this perfect moment.

It was in the way her laughter blended with the distant hum of the rides, in the lightness of her steps as we walked earlier.

Now, we were taking a much-needed break, seated in a cozy corner at a nearby restaurant. We had spent hours exploring the amusement park, hopping from one ride to another like two kids chasing endless thrills.

The rush of excitement from the rides still hummed faintly beneath our skin as we devoured sandwiches and sipped our drinks.

Almost every ride had seen us today—our screams echoing in the wind, followed by laughter that still echoed in my ears.

"You’re gorgeous," Athena said again, her voice soft but firm, as she adjusted her seat and took another bite of her sandwich, looking more pleased with herself than ever.

"Thanks," I replied, feeling a slight blush rise to my cheeks, though I tried to brush it off.

"No problem," she shot back, her voice so carefree and light it made me smile. I pulled out my phone, flipping the camera to see what she had done, and sure enough, the clip made me look like I had a little chick sitting on my head. I chuckled at the sight.

Athena, too, had a matching clip perched on her hair, completing the look. This was her doing, her playful way of enjoying the day to its fullest.

I hadn’t realized she could be this childlike, this carefree, but it warmed my heart. It was a side of her I hadn’t seen before—unexpected yet refreshing.

It felt like I was being introduced to a different Athena, someone far removed from the composed and serious Jezreel I was used to.

And the more I saw of this version of her, the more I found myself drawn to it.

"Urgh, what was that?" I heard her mutter under her breath, pulling me out of my thoughts. She had just taken a sip of her drink—a cucumber milkshake.

Her face contorted slightly, and though she smiled at me, I could see the discomfort in her expression. It was subtle, but unmistakable.

"You don’t like it?" I teased, already knowing the answer.

She gave me a small laugh, trying to play it off.