Chapter 5 A new housemate

It was closing time at school, and the trio exchanged glances with Astara, wondering what would come next.

"Where will you stay now? You don't have a home, do you?" Nana asked, her voice filled with concern. Astara shook her head, her expression thoughtful.

"I don't think my place still exists," Astara admitted with a sigh, glancing around as if searching for an answer in the school's fading daylight. "How about your house?" she asked Nana with a hopeful smile.

Nana quickly shook her head. "My dad is super strict! He won't allow it, not in a million years," she said, her voice tinged with regret.

"Same here," Ryan added. "My folks wouldn't understand, and they'd probably freak out. No offense, Astara, but you're... a little different."

Astara shrugged, trying to hide her disappointment. "I guess I'll just live in the forest then," she said, attempting to sound nonchalant, but the sadness in her voice was evident.

Sammy, seeing her downcast expression, felt a pang of sympathy. "Wait," he said suddenly, a spark of determination in his eyes. "I can talk to my mom. Don't worry, I think she'll let you stay with us."

Astara's eyes brightened. "Really? Are you sure?" she asked, taking his arm, her grip both hopeful and desperate.

"Sure!" Sammy said, giving her a reassuring smile. "Let's give it a shot."

•••

When Sammy and Astara got home, the warm, comforting smell of scrambled eggs filled the air, reminding Sammy of the comforts of his small but cozy home. He led Astara towards the kitchen, where his mom was busy preparing dinner.

Astara lingered by the doorway, observing quietly while Sammy approached his mother at the kitchen counter.

The kitchen is a cozy, average-sized space with cream-colored walls, light brown cabinets, and standard white appliances.

"Hey, Mom!" he called out, trying to keep his tone casual despite the nervous fluttering in his stomach.

"Oh, welcome back, Sam," Mrs. Collins said, not looking up from the pan. She was stirring something that smelled delicious, but Sammy could barely focus on it. He knew he had to tell her about Astara and was unsure of her reaction.

"Mom, there's something I need to talk to you about," Sammy began, his voice wavering slightly as he tried to find the right words.

Mrs. Collins paused, looking up with a curious but kind expression. "What is it, Sam?" she asked, her eyes meeting his with gentle concern.

Sammy took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. "There's a girl at school, Astara. She's in a bit of a situation. Her family had to move suddenly, and they won't be back for a while. She doesn't have anywhere to stay, and I was wondering if she could stay with us for a bit."

Mrs. Collins raised an eyebrow. "That's quite a situation, Sammy. But just because she's a classmate doesn't mean she can stay with us," she said, her tone gentle but firm.

"I know, Mom, but she's really nice," Sammy pleaded, his voice earnest. "She's become a good friend, and I can't just leave her out there. Please, just for a little while until we figure something out?"

Mrs. Collin's eyes narrowed, weighing her options. But she sighed in agreement. "Alright, Sammy," she finally said. "She can stay, but only for a little while. And I want to meet her properly."

Sammy's face broke into a relieved smile. "She's here, actually!" he quickly said, turning towards the door. "Come in, Astara," he called.

Astara stepped into the kitchen, her demeanor calm and respectful. "Hello," she greeted, bowing slightly.

Mrs Collins looked at Astara up and down, noticing her weird clothing. Mrs. Collins sighed again, but there was still a hint of caution in her eyes.

"Hello, Astara," Mrs. Collins replied, her tone more formal. "Sammy told me about your situation. You're welcome to stay with us, but please, don't overstay your welcome. We have our own lives and routines."

"Of course, Mrs. Collins," Astara said sincerely, her voice steady. "Thank you so much for your kindness. I promise I won't be a burden."

Mrs. Collins nodded, her expression softening a bit. "Good. And since I'll be feeding you, you'll have to help with the house chores. Everyone does their part around here."

"Absolutely! I'd be happy to help," Astara agreed eagerly, nodding in earnest.

"Alright then," Mrs. Collins said.

Sammy's face lit up with relief and joy. "Thanks, Mom. You're the best."

•••

Later that night, well past 9 p.m., Sammy lay in bed, his mind racing. He couldn't stop thinking about Astara being just a few rooms away. His usual bedtime routine was disrupted by the novelty of having someone new in the house, especially someone like Astara.

He had just turned off his lamp and was about to settle in when he heard a soft knock on his door. Confused, he got up and opened it, surprised to find Astara standing there.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, trying to keep his voice low.

"I was feeling lonely," she admitted, her voice a soft whisper. "I guess I miss my old friends and my old life," she added, her eyes looking down. "But how do I look? Your mom lent me some of her clothes," she said, twirling around, showing off a modest dress.

"You look... fine," Sammy said, feeling awkward. "But you shouldn't be here. If my mom finds out-"

"She's asleep," Astara reassured him with a small smile, stepping into his room. "Your room is nice," she commented, glancing around curiously.

Caught off guard, Sammy quickly began tidying up his space, pushing some clothes under the bed and straightening up his desk. "It's nothing special," he mumbled.

"It's fine," Astara laughed softly, sitting down on his bed. "I just wanted to talk to you."

"You can talk," Sammy said, sitting beside her, his heart beating a little faster.

"Thank you for letting me stay here, Sammy," Astara said sincerely, her voice filled with gratitude.

Sammy felt a warmth spread through his chest at her words. "It's no big deal. And besides, you promised to help us out too," he joked, trying to lighten the mood.

Astara smiled, her eyes twinkling with a mixture of amusement and sincerity. "Oh, I definitely will. But I'll need my book. I think I've forgotten some spells," she said thoughtfully.

"The book from the library?" Sammy asked, curiosity piqued.

"No, my personal spellbook. I think it should be at my place... if it still exists," Astara said, her expression turning a bit wistful.

Sammy frowned. "How will you find it?"

Astara stood up, her eyes sparkling with determination. "How about we try to find it together?" she suggested. She extended her hand toward him. "Take my hand."

Unsure but intrigued, Sammy slowly stood up and took her hand. He felt a sudden rush of energy, and in the blink of an eye, they vanished from the room, leaving only the faintest whisper of wind behind.