A New World
The small car carrying the last parts of her old life was disappearing in the horizon. Dia wondered what would await her in this new place. She didn't feel sad about moving, her last time in the big city had been spent inside a hospital anyway and yet she was hesitant to think that this was what was best for her. Gina placed a hand on her shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze. At least she had her and her grandma Martha. Well, Martha was technically only Gina's grandma, but Dia considered her to be her own. It was practically she who raised her.
"Let us go inside and get ourselves settled miss Dia," Gina gently pulled at her arm to lead her into the newly build Sanitorium. They were told that only her father's funding had made its creation possible. Flower Bud Village did indeed seem very small. It was here her mom had been born which possibly was why her father supported this location. Still, she didn't like the name, it sounded like a place for someone not sane.
As they entered the warm surroundings welcomed them. Sunlight lit in through the big open windows and the smell of rubble and books filled the air. It almost smelled like a library hidden in a old ruin, or at least that was the smell Dia would expect if she should ever happen upon such a place. The local doctor Alex gave them a quick tour, it seemed like the place was as new to him as it was to them. Martha sat in the corner and was knitting something. Dia turned to Gina and gave her a lighthearted smile before having her let go of her arm. Gina resumed her duties as her personal nurse and started cataloging the supplies they had been given by Alex. A quick greeting sounded from the man as he exited and not a moment after exited Martha too.
A book caught her eye. "Wonders Within" it was named. She skimmed through the pages looking for how illustrated it was along the narrative. She found it to her liking and gently placed the book down on the table besides Gina. Dia didn't show it, but a quick bolt of pain had just shot through her chest. She clenched her teeth and pressed one of her fists against the spot as if it was a remedy. She looked out the corner of her eye seeing, to her relief, that Gina was still neck deep in work and hadn't noticed her agonized expression. It was probably stupid of her, but she didn't want to upset her only friend unnecessarily, which she was sure this was. She decided to sit down and get her breath before reading the book. She went to the back of the room, seeking shelter where she wouldn't be spotted. She sat down on a small stool made out of a miniature barrel; it would have to suffice for now even if it wasn't the stuffed chairs she was used to sitting in. It didn't take long for her to find comfort and doze off once she sat. The journey from the city must have tired her more than she thought. She closed her eyes while thinking to herself that she would only nap a few minutes.
She awoke again when voices sounded from the door. She looked up and saw that the sun was going down, how long had she been sleeping? She got up and brushed off her dress as if she had stayed long enough in the chair for dust to settle upon her. It was probably the doctor or grandma that had returned to check on them. She rubbed the rest of her sleepiness out of her right eye before turning around and making her way to them. She looked to the desk where she had laid her book; it wasn't there any longer.
"Gina, the book that I placed on the desk, have you seen it?" She asked as she turned towards the two figures by the door. She noticed that it was a stranger standing with Gina. Their eyes met a quick moment before she diverted her gaze to Gina. She didn't say anything.
"Oh, Miss Dia, this is Paul. He runs a farm here in the village." Gina said and stepped to the side.
"Hey, nice to meet you!" The stranger - Paul - said and took a few steps towards her. He grinned and brought a hand towards her to greet her. She flinched, looking at him with a disapproving even though she was blushing. Her eyes scanned him from head to toe almost as if making sure he wasn't poisonous. An awkward silence spread as they just stood there. His grin didn't vanish even though he had noticed her rude expression.
"Nice to meet you!" She screeched while she ran towards the stairs and headed up. She hid just beside the railing by the top step and could hear Gina excuse her and herself. Paul left and Gina headed up to check on her. She exhaled heavily as if she had just escaped a raging bull. Gina came towards her with a worried expression printed on her face. Dia smiled faintly, almost like the innocent girl that had been naughty, trying to hide her fear. She didn't like showing off her weaknesses since she had so many of them. Gina shook her head and returned her smile, at least she always understood.
"Still having trouble with strangers?" She asked.
"Seems like it." Dia answered, sighing as she went towards the bedroom area. She needed to be rid of this fear. She was now in a town full of strangers, or rather, she was the stranger. She hadn't thought of it until now, but the idea of getting to know an entire village that only knew she was a rich girl was actually really scary.
"Here." Gina said, handing her the book she had found earlier. "It was this one you mentioned, yes? I found it on the counter while cleaning and thought you might have been the one placing it, so I brought it up here."
Dia gave her an approving nod as she relieved her of the book. She went over and sat down on her bed, she turned over the cover and the first page, viewing the first chapter. "A new world" it was named, she giggled at the similarity it had to her current situation. She looked out the window before starting to read, at least she could hope that all the villagers was as forthcoming as this Paul had been.
