Michrinor: The Fates of The Heirs

Chapter 2 - Possibilities

Ava sat on the old swing set behind her trailer, her fingers wrapped around the rusted chains as she gently rocked back and forth. Ava glanced at the cracked pavement of the trailer park, noticing that the air was filled with the faint scent of pine and distant barbecues. This swing set had become her refuge, a place where she could escape the chaos that seemed to consume her home. Here, she could think, breathe, and, if only for a moment, forget the tension that hung so heavily in the air inside the trailer.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps on the gravel. Looking up, she saw a girl about her age approaching, her face framed by soft curls and lit with a friendly smile. Ava tensed slightly, unused to strangers approaching her so openly, especially not in this neighborhood. But there was something warm and genuine about the girl's demeanor that put her at ease.

"Hey there!" the girl called out, waving. "Mind if I join you?"

Ava hesitated, then nodded. "Sure."

The girl took the swing next to her and started to sway back and forth. "I'm Lizzy. We just moved in a few days ago. I live in the trailer at the end of the row."

Ava returned the smile, though it felt a bit forced. "Nice to meet you. I'm Ava."

Lizzy seemed unfazed by Ava's reserve. "This place isn't so bad, is it? I mean, it's not exactly what I'm used to, but I've seen worse."

Ava shrugged, unsure of what to say. She didn't want to be rude, but she also didn't want to get too friendly too fast. People came and went around here, and she had learned to keep her distance.

Lizzy's smile didn't waver. "So, do you go to the high school nearby? I'll be starting there next week."

"Yeah," Ava replied, her tone cautious. "I go there."

Lizzy tilted her head slightly, as if sensing something in Ava's voice. "What's it like? Are the kids there okay?"

Ava hesitated, her mind flashing back to the school halls, the whispers, and the sideways glances she had grown used to over the years. "It's... fine. You know, it's just school."

Lizzy smiled. "I get it. I've moved around a lot, so I know how schools can be. Some places are better than others."

Ava nodded, grateful that Lizzy wasn't pushing for more. The truth was, she wasn't ready to talk about school, the bullies, or the way she felt like she never really fit in. It was easier to keep those things to herself, to avoid letting anyone get too close.

After a few moments of silence, Lizzy asked, "What about the other kids in the trailer park? Are they nice?"

Ava shifted uncomfortably on the swing. "I don't really hang out with them much."

"Why not?" Lizzy asked, genuinely curious.

Ava looked down at her hands, picking at the peeling paint on the chain. "I just don't. My dad... he doesn't get along with a lot of the neighbors. It's kind of complicated."

Lizzy nodded slowly. "I understand. Family stuff can be tough."

Ava glanced at Lizzy, surprised by her understanding tone. Most people didn't get it—they just judged. But Lizzy seemed different. She seemed like someone who actually cared.

Lizzy smiled and changed the subject. "So, what do you like to do? Any hobbies?"

Ava relaxed a little, grateful for the shift in conversation. "I like to draw and paint sometimes. And I read a lot, too."

"That's cool," Lizzy said, her eyes brightening. "I love to read. Maybe we can exchange books sometime."

Ava smiled, feeling a warmth she hadn't felt in a long time. "Yeah, that sounds nice."