Lyra listened attentively to Ayla’s words, her expression reflecting a mix of empathy and concern. As Ayla spoke about the missing students and mentioned their lost loved ones, Lysander and Alexander, Lyra’s heart sank with sorrow. The dimly lit ballroom seemed to grow heavier around her hearing the news. “Missing students?” she echoed softly, her voice tinged with alarm, the distant sound of music fading into the background as her thoughts raced. “I hadn’t heard about that.” It worried Lyra, especially considering the tragedy of her brother’s passing at school. A shiver ran down her spine as she began to question her safety within the school’s walls. “Especially after what happened to my brother… It’s hard not to let fear creep in.” She glanced around the ballroom, feeling a pang of unease in the elegant surroundings that now seemed tinged with uncertainty.
However, more prominently on her mind were her brother and her cousin, the loss of them still a raw wound in her heart. “Talking about Lysander, and Alexander…” Lyra paused, her voice catching slightly as memories flooded back. The echo of laughter and shared secrets filled her mind, a painful reminder of the void they had left behind. “It’s been hard without them. Sometimes it feels like the pain will never go away. Do you ever feel that way, Ayla? Like we’re just trying to fill a void that can never be filled?” she admitted, her eyes briefly betraying the sadness she felt, her voice barely above a whisper. “But knowing we have each other helps.”
As Ayla swiftly shifted the conversation back to a more positive note, Lyra’s smile returned, appreciating her cousin’s resilience. “I’m glad I could influence your decision to come,” Lyra replied warmly. “Having family here makes all the difference. We’ll get through this together, just like always.” With a reassuring squeeze of Ayla’s arm, Lyra conveyed her support and solidarity, ready to face the challenges of their new school together.
Ayla | @eunoia