Hiraeth

Chapter 9: Old & New Memories

It was after dinner that I was able to escape being in the same room as him. I don't want to admit it but the bond is harder to resist than I expected. Especially when he is trying to pull me closer to him with those eyes.

I try to shake the image of his gilded eyes from my mind as I drift off to sleep. The thought of why I need to resist him comes to me as I drift off and I fear that my dreams will be affected by it.

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The grass is tall around my ankles and I can feel the prickers pulling at my jeans. My mom hates it when I go out and rip holes in my new clothes but she knows I'll never stop.

There are different reasons why I love getting covered in dirt and not caring which way my hair is laying. At 10 years old, dresses and business is not important to me.

Right now, I am walking towards the peach tree at the top of the hill overlooking my parent's home. A little giggle fills me ears and my small feet pick up speed.

My heart races and I feel the bubbling excitement fill my chest.

"Hurry, Hiraeth!"

"Don't rush me!!"

I let out a breathy laugh as I reach the tree, jumping onto the lowest branch. This tree was left here by a farmer. All the other trees died but this one stays strong and old in the spot it was planted.

"How many are ripe?"

A hand smaller than mine reaches down from above me and gives me a peach. It is early in the season and this one fruit means we should start eating before the squirrels take them all.

"I found a few. Here is one for you."

I take it. "Thanks, Prairie."

My little sister moves farther down the branch for me. Putting the fruit in my mouth, I hoist myself higher so I'm next to her.

Prairie is more like my mother in appearance. She has light chestnut brown hair and my mother's crystal blue eyes. I can tell that when she is older, she is going to have a hard time with the boys being obsessed with her beauty. Mom says that we are equally as beautiful but I'm confident that my sister is prettier.

In personality, she is more like my dad. She is calm, quiet but much more gentle like my mother. She will be a gracious, gentle beauty when she is older. I'm a bit louder like mother and more direct like my father. Even though Prairie and I are different, we are closer than anyone else we know.

"Alec came by today."

My smile dropped the smallest amount. Alec is the boy werewolf my sister hangs out with. I don't know if I should like him or not. My dad rants about how horrible his species is but my mom tells me to treat them like I would any other person.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah... his mom said she thinks we are mates." She looks up at me. "What are those?"

I look down to the ground and frown. "I think they are like mom and dad almost. Like they marry and have kids and love each other. Something like that but for werewolves."

"Oh. So I'll marry Alec someday?"

I want to say yes because of the excitement in her eyes. But I overheard mom and dad talking earlier. Alec and his family are moving far away for some reason and Prairie and him won't be able to be friends anymore. I decide not to tell my sister and just nod.