Nasha's brilliant plan is about to change both of their lives.
Dinner held a unique warmth that hadn't been there before. As the camp bustled with clinking cutlery and soft laughter, a noticeable change had everyone at their table intrigued. Nashi and Nasha, usually at opposite ends of their friend groups, were seated together, their heads close as they laughed at inside jokes and swapped stories, their voices a happy murmur amid the noise.
Their friends, delighted by this new dynamic, had instinctively drawn closer, merging into a single, lively group. Gone were the quick glares and annoyed glances that had once marked every exchange between the twins. Instead, they exchanged grins and shared an easy, playful warmth that seemed to say, "We're in on this together now."
Across the room, Ms. Porlyusica caught sight of them and allowed herself a small, pleased smile. She'd seen her share of sibling rivalry, but it was rare to witness this kind of shift. While the two girls were still grounded in the isolation cabin, the unexpected bond that had blossomed between them made her decision feel more than worth it.
Nasha carefully pinned the taped-together picture of their parents on Nashi's board, admiring it with a grin. They had decided to squeeze into one bed that night, too caught up in excitement to even think about sleeping in separate corners. As they settled in, they took turns talking about their favourite things, trading secrets and laughing over small quirks that made them feel even closer.
Their conversation flowed effortlessly, and soon, Nasha grew a bit dreamy, staring up at the wooden beams of the cabin ceiling. She hesitated for a moment, then spoke with a quiet but passionate conviction, "I wanna be like Layla Ashley when I grow up."
"Oh, you do, huh?" Nashi smirked, her eyes dancing with a secret she could hardly wait to spill. She leaned in, raising an eyebrow as though daring Nasha to catch on.
Nasha noticed the look but shrugged it off, her voice carrying a mix of admiration and longing. "Ever since Papa gave me her books, I've been hooked. I even made him read The Adventures of Iris to me before bed. I know it sounds silly, but it's like—I don't know, I feel connected to the story. Isn't that weird?"
Nashi's eyes softened, and she struggled to hold back her excitement. She reached over, squeezing Nasha's hand as she leaned close, her voice a whisper, "No, it's not weird at all. In fact, you're about to freak out—Layla Ashley? That's Mom."
Nasha froze, her jaw dropping as she stared at Nashi, waiting for the punchline. "No way. You're kidding, right?"
Nashi giggled, shaking her head with pride. "Nope! Uncle told me she started Iris when she was new in Altair. Our mom is the Layla Ashley!"
Nasha's shock melted into a radiant smile, her eyes lighting up as she clutched her pillow, practically bouncing with excitement. "Mom is so cool!" she squealed, her voice full of awe. The two giggled, hands clasped, their shared joy filling the small cabin with a warmth neither could put into words.
After a while, curiosity turned their thoughts to their dad, and Nasha, still riding the thrill of her newfound sisterhood, spoke with an unrestrained pride. "Papa's a famous chef in Magnolia. He even cooks for important people, like Fiore's president! He's amazing," she said, her eyes gleaming.
Nashi's stomach growled at the thought. "What kind of food does he make?" she asked, imagining exotic dishes and savoury flavours.
"Well, when it's just us, he makes it super spicy, and I get the first taste of everything he makes," Nasha replied, her tone softening with fondness.
Nashi laughed, a little envious. "Mom's not big on spicy food, but she always buys some just for me. Guess we have the same taste buds, huh?"
Nasha grinned, nodding. They laughed together, trading glances and sharing knowing smiles until a comfortable drowsiness settled in, and they drifted closer under the covers. But just as Nashi's eyelids were starting to droop, Nasha suddenly shot up, her face alight with inspiration.
"I have a brilliant idea!" Nasha practically shouted, shaking Nashi, who groaned and buried her face into the pillow.
"Nasha, can't this wait till morning?" she mumbled, her voice muffled.
"No way! I have the most brilliant idea ever!" Nasha squealed, practically bouncing as she grabbed her twin's shoulders. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, refusing to let this moment pass.
Nashi sat up, rubbing her eyes. "You just said that. What is it?"
"What if—what if we switched places?" Nasha's words were hushed, almost reverent, her voice trembling with anticipation.
Nashi blinked, still half-asleep. "H-huh?"
Nasha leaned closer, her voice barely above a whisper. "After camp ends, you could go home as me to meet Papa, and I'll go to Stella Kingdom as you to meet Mom!"
Nashi's eyes shot open, and she leaned back, the absurdity of it pulling a reluctant laugh from her. "Are you serious? We may look the same, but we're totally different. We'd be caught in, like, a second!"
Nasha waved a dismissive hand, sitting straighter as she did her best to copy Nashi's poised, polished posture. "See? I have class and you don't," she said, putting on an exaggerated air of elegance. Her accent was rough and completely off, but her confidence and the ridiculousness of it all made Nashi burst into laughter.
"That was so terrible," Nashi giggled, clutching her stomach.
"Oh, come on, Nashi," Nasha whined, pulling out her secret weapon: a look of pure, unfiltered puppy-dog eyes. She pouted, her lower lip trembling slightly. "Please? I want to meet my—our—mom so bad."
Nashi sighed, already feeling herself cave as a thousand questions raced through her head. What if they got caught? What if their parents figured it out and switched them back?
Switch them back…
"That… is actually a brilliant idea!" Nashi exclaimed, her voice bubbling with excitement. She bounced on the bed, her hair dancing around her as she continued, "We could spend the rest of the summer with them, soaking up all the family time, and then, right before school starts, we'll come clean!"
Nasha's eyes went wide with realisation, a huge grin spreading across her face. "Yes! Then they'll switch us back—"
"And they'll finally see each other again!" Nashi finished, her voice full of hope.
They squealed in unison, hugging each other tight, feeling a mix of nervous anticipation and excitement. They flopped back on the bed, hearts pounding as they gazed up at the ceiling, their minds racing with visions of their soon-to-be-shared adventure. The thought of getting to meet their other parent—and maybe, just maybe, helping them become a family again—left them both grinning from ear to ear.
For the first time since they'd arrived at camp, they felt completely whole.
"I told you my idea is brilliant," Nasha chimed, her eyes gleaming with a mix of excitement and pride, arms spread wide as if to embrace the entire universe.
"Alright," Nashi replied, leaning back against the wall with a playful sigh, her smile wide and genuine. "I give; it is very brilliant."
Nasha and Nashi set to work, transforming their shared cabin into a cosy sanctuary of sisterly bonding. The walls, once bare and uninviting, now came alive with a collage of photographs, drawings, and notes that told the story of their lives.
As they tacked up their boards, Nashi grabbed a handful of push pins, her face scrunching in concentration. "Okay, let's get started!" she declared, her voice laced with excitement. She pinned up a photo of her and Uncle Laxus flexing their muscles, both of them grinning widely. "This is Uncle Laxus. His father, Grandpa Makarov, is Grandfather's brother. Uncle Laxus is like my best friend and he checks on me every week or whenever Mom is out of town."
Nasha giggled, tilting her head to admire the picture. "He looks so strong! And kind of intimidating. I hope I can pull off the 'cool niece' vibe," she said, practising a mock-serious expression.
"Oh, you totally can!" Nashi encouraged, laughing as she struck a goofy pose next to the pinned photo. "Just don't challenge him to an arm-wrestling match on your first day!"
As Nashi continued to organise the pictures, she pointed out another image. This time, it was a picture of an aged blonde man in his elegant light brown suit, his smile warm and inviting. 'This is Grandfather Jude, who lives with us. He's mom's father,' she said, her tone turning slightly reverent, reflecting the fondness she felt for him.
Nasha leaned closer to the board, her brows raised in admiration. "He looks wise… and fancy looking. Like someone who has all the answers."
Nashi nodded, then her twin's eyes sparkled in mischief. "A whole lineage of blondes got drained by Papa's hair colour," she teased, her hands on her hips as she surveyed their family tree. "Just look at that mess of pink!"
The long pink-haired girl burst out laughing, her bright laughter echoing off the walls. "I know, right? Who knew we'd inherit our dad's flamboyant locks?"
"This is Aunt Lisanna," Nasha said proudly, pointing to a vibrant picture of a short white-haired beauty. Her ocean-blue eyes sparkled with warmth, and her skin had just the right hint of sun. "She's the one babysitting me when Papa's not around. But since she married Uncle Bixlow, she's rarely here."
Nashi leaned closer, studying the photo. The soft afternoon light filtering through their cabin's window seemed to make the image come alive. "Is she a fairy or something? Because she looks magical!" Nashi exclaimed, her eyes wide in admiration.
"Pretty much!" Nasha giggled, flipping through her collection of printed pictures. Since phones were a no-go at camp, they had printed their favourite memories, like little treasures to keep with them.
"Do you have the house to yourself, then?" Nashi asked, glancing at the other photos scattered around her twin's side.
"Nah, Aunt Mirajane comes over. She's Aunt Lisanna's sister and a famous model in Fiore. You've heard of her, right?" Nasha replied, her excitement bubbling over as she rummaged through more pictures.
"I don't think so, but I feel like I've seen her somewhere before," Nashi pondered, her brows furrowed in concentration as she studied the striking portrait of the long-haired beauty.
Suddenly, Nashi's face lit up like a light bulb going off. "Ah ha!" she shouted, slamming her palm against the side of her fist with the gusto of a detective who'd just cracked the case. Nasha jumped slightly at the sudden outburst, raising an eyebrow at her sister.
"What is it?"
"Uncle Laxus has a picture of her in his bedroom!" Nashi burst out laughing, recalling the incident from last summer when she and Laxus had been playing hide-and-seek. "I remember the time I stumbled into his bedroom while hiding under his bed. I thought I'd never be found! But then I saw this magazine lying on the carpet and it was titled Sorcerer's Weekly!"
The short pink-haired twin imitated a dramatic gasp, eyes wide. "Wait, you mean Uncle Laxus has a magazine with Aunt Mirajane on the cover?"
"Yep!" Nashi cackled, doubling over with laughter. "And I was like, 'Why is Uncle Laxus reading a magazine with pretty ladies in it?' It was just lying there, all casual, like it was the most normal thing ever."
"Then what happened?" her twin asked, leaning in, her curiosity piqued.
"I told Mom about it, and the next morning, I heard her teasing Uncle Laxus about his 'crush' on Aunt Mira. I was so confused!" Nashi giggled, mimicking her mom's teasing voice. "'Oh, Laxus, do you have a thing for models now?'"
"I bet he was so embarrassed!" Nasha chuckled, trying to suppress another fit of laughter.
"Oh, he was, and was a total tomato too!" Nashi exclaimed, her eyes wide with amusement. "I mean, I didn't even know he could blush that much! I asked him why he had pictures of her, and he was all stammering, 'I-I don't know what you're talking about!' You'd think he was trying to hide a secret stash of candy or something!"
"That's just weird," Nasha said, shaking her head, her laughter bubbling over. "I mean, what's he going to do—start a fan club for Aunt Mira?"
"Right?" Nashi snorted, picturing Uncle Laxus wearing a T-shirt with "Aunt Mira's #1 Fan" written on it in glittery letters. "I could see him standing outside her modelling gigs, holding up a giant sign that says, 'Laxus Hearts Mira!'"
"Or just standing there awkwardly, trying to blend in while holding a bouquet of flowers and getting all flustered when he sees her!" the short pink-hair added, rolling on the floor with laughter.
"Exactly!" her twin gasped, her face flushed with giggles. "I mean, what if he ends up embarrassing himself in front of her? 'Hey, um, Mira, here's some flowers... and a magazine with your face on it. No big deal!'"
They both fell into a fit of giggles, the sound echoing in the cosy cabin, before they finally settled down and moved on to the next topic.
After introducing all the important people in their lives, including their friends, the twins decided it was time for a little quiz to see just how well they'd absorbed the information.
"Okay, who do I often have ice cream with?" Nashi asked, her eyes gleaming with mischief as she faced her twin, who was currently inspecting the wall as if it held the secrets of the universe.
Nasha's brow furrowed as she ransacked her brain, searching for the answer. "Uh… Grandpa?"
Nashi shot her a playful glare. "It's Grandfather! Grandpa is Grandpa Makarov. Grandfather is Grandfather Jude. You've got to be careful with that part. It's practically a family code!"
"Right, right! Got it," Nasha chuckled, shaking her head as she mentally kicked herself.
Now it was Nasha's turn to quiz Nashi. "Okay, what do my Papa and I do before the semester starts?"
Nashi's mind whirred like an old record player, trying to recall the answer. "Uh…" she muttered, scrunching her face in concentration. She knew her friend's mom was into theatre but didn't think that was it. "Hiking near Shirotsume Town?"
"Correct!" Nasha exclaimed, throwing her hands up in mock celebration. "You actually remembered something!"
Nashi let out a sigh of relief, her shoulders dropping as if she had just dodged an avalanche. Sometimes, all the names and family connections started to mix together in her head like a jumbled-up puzzle, leaving her confused. But with more time to process the information, she was sure they would nail it by the end of camp—or at least, she hoped they wouldn't end up accidentally calling each other "Grandfather" in front of their parents.
"Just wait until we get to the quiz on Aunt Mira and Uncle Laxus! I'm sure that'll be a real brain-buster!" Nashi joked, earning a fit of giggles from her twin.
"Do I have to do this?" Nasha groaned, crossing her arms as she watched her twin practicing a series of intricate hand movements. The thought of replicating the long and complex secret handshake she had with Uncle Laxus made her head spin.
"Hey, it's part of our friendship! Deal with it," Nashi retorted with a cheeky grin, her bright eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Okay, I can do this. What's the first step?" Nasha asked, rolling up her sleeves, determination etched across her face.
Nashi beamed and grabbed Nasha's hand, their fingers intertwining as she prepared to demonstrate. "Alright! It starts like this!" She raised their joined hands, palms facing each other. "First, we do a classic palm slap, like this." With a quick motion, she brought their palms together with a loud smack, causing Nasha to flinch.
"Okay, easy enough," Nasha nodded, trying to mimic the action. But instead of a clean slap, their palms awkwardly collided, leaving them in a tangle of fingers.
"Not quite! Let's try that again," Nashi said, stifling her laughter.
With newfound focus, Nasha tried again, this time adding a dramatic flair as she exaggeratedly slapped their palms together. "See? I got it!"
"Almost! Now, after the slap, you have to spin your hand like this," Nashi demonstrated, twisting her wrist to rotate their palms outward. "Then we do a finger wiggle—like jazz hands!"
"Jazz hands? What are those?" Nasha laughed, completely losing her concentration.
"Just follow my lead!" Nashi giggled, her infectious laughter making it hard for Nasha to stay serious. They went through the steps a few more times, but Nasha kept fumbling, her fingers getting tangled in an awkward mess.
"Okay, okay, so we slap, spin, wiggle, and… what was next?" Nasha asked, her brows knitting together in confusion.
"Then we go for the elbow bump!" Nashi said, making a show of bumping her elbow against Nasha's with an exaggerated expression.
"Right, got it!" Nasha nodded, but when it came time for her to do it, she miscalculated and ended up elbowing Nashi right in the ribs instead. "Oops! Sorry!"
They both burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the cabin as they collapsed onto the floor, their giggles resonating like musical chimes.
"Let's take it slow. We'll get this by the end of the summer camp!" Nashi reassured, her eyes shining with encouragement.
"This is our house!" Nasha exclaimed, gesturing dramatically to the picture pinned on the board like she was unveiling a royal portrait. The house stood proud and tall, its white walls gleaming under the soft glow of the setting sun. The modern lines and clean angles exuded contemporary elegance, while the warm glow from the interior hinted at the cosy comfort
Then, with a serious expression, Nasha pointed at a specific area on her blueprint drawing. "Now, this is my bedroom. And let me be crystal clear: don't ever, ever use this bathroom," she warned, her finger wagging like a teacher scolding a misbehaving student. "It's only for Papa. We use this bathroom right… here." She jabbed her finger at the designated spot, as if making a critical point in a high-stakes presentation.
Nashi, sitting cross-legged on the floor with her notepad, scribbled down every word as if it were a sacred text. "Noted! No Papa bathroom. What else?" she asked, glancing up with wide, earnest eyes.
"And then," Nasha said, leaning in as if sharing a top-secret mission, "no matter what, don't feed Happy around 5 or 6 PM, even if he begs!" She put her hands on her hips, channelling her best stern parent impression. "Aunt Mira or Aunt Lisanna cooks for him, and if you give him a snack, he'll turn into a little furry tornado! Seriously, you'll need to build a fort to keep everything from flying away."
Nashi burst into laughter, picturing their cat zooming around the house, chaos in his wake. "So basically, Happy is like a tiny furry monster, just waiting for snack time?"
"Exactly!" Nasha giggled, mimicking the sound of a tiny tornado whirling around. "And if you do feed him, expect to lose your socks and maybe a small piece of furniture. You've been warned!"
As they both dissolved into giggles, Nasha then pointed to a door in the drawing. "This door is also rarely used, but if you're going to use it, you have to pull," she explained, her voice taking on a dramatic tone.
Nashi grimaced, her eyebrows knitting together in confusion. "Wait, isn't it usually push? You're telling me this door wants to be different?!" She threw her hands up in exasperation, feigning defeat. "What is this, a door with an identity crisis?"
Nasha nodded gravely, biting back laughter. "It really is! You think you're just going to go about your day, and suddenly the door's like, 'Nah, today we're pulling!' Just imagine me wrestling with it.'"
Just then, it was Nashi's turn to present her home. She pulled out pictures and her own blueprint drawing with a flourish. "Alright, brace yourself!"
Nasha's eyes widened in shock. "That's not even a house!" she gasped, staring at the picture of Nashi's home. It looked like a mansion that had sprouted wings and flown away.
"It is a house," Nashi replied, shrugging nonchalantly as if it were no big deal. "It's just… bigger, I guess?"
Nasha's jaw dropped. "Bigger? How many floors does it have? A hundred?" She looked at Nashi with awe, feeling like she was discussing a castle.
"Five floors, including the attic and basement!" Nashi declared proudly. "Then we have the main floor, lounge floor, and the bedroom floor. On the main floor, that's where the guest rooms are. One of them is Uncle Laxus' room."
"Your house is definitely big," Nasha said, still wide-eyed. "I mean, it could host a small army! But to be honest, I think I'd get lost in there. I'd need a map just to find the bathroom!"
"But isn't that what makes it fun?" Nashi laughed, nudging her twin playfully. "Just think of it as an adventure! You could discover secret passageways and maybe even find hidden treasure!"
"Or a sock that's been missing for years!" Nasha shot back, and they both erupted into laughter, the sound echoing through the cabin as they continued to dream up the adventures that awaited them in their respective homes.
For the next few days, Nashi and Nasha dove deep into their sisterly bond, sharing secrets and stories that made them feel like they'd known each other forever. It was as if each anecdote was a thread weaving them closer together, creating a tapestry of friendship that would last long after summer camp ended. But with just five days left, it was time for a transformation.
"Do I have to?" Nashi whined, her eyes glued to the shiny scissors in her twin's hand, making her stomach twist with anxiety. She loved her long hair—her mom would spend an hour brushing it, humming her favorite tune as they shared stories and laughter.
Nasha, armed with determination and a lock of her twin's hair, replied, "It'll grow back sooner than you think! We just have to do this if we want to make it perfect."
Nashi squeezed her eyes shut tightly, feeling the weight of the moment. "Do it," she breathed, a mix of fear and trust in her voice.
"Okay, get ready." Nasha took a deep breath, her hands trembling slightly. The last time she'd attempted a haircut, it had ended in disaster, and her Papa had to drag her to the salon to fix her "unique" style. She inhaled deeply to calm her nerves, feeling the clamminess of her palms. It was now or never!
With a swift snip, the scissors glinted in the light, and a cascade of silky hair fell to the floor like confetti.
When the last lock fell away, they both stared at their reflections in the mirror, a mix of shock and excitement filling the air. They had transformed into mirror images, the same pink hair framing their faces in a way that was both eerie and exhilarating.
"This is so creepy," Nashi muttered, her eyes wide as she ran her fingers through the new bob. She couldn't help but be surprised at how much she liked the look, though.
"Right?" Nasha grinned, her heart swelling with pride as she admired her handiwork. But then, out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glint of light that turned her smile into a frown. "Oh no."
"What? What's wrong?" Nashi asked, suddenly feeling a knot tighten in her stomach.
Nasha turned to her twin, looking sheepish and guilty. "I have ear piercings," she confessed, biting her lip as she watched her sister's face drain of colour.
Nashi stepped back dramatically, shaking her head as if trying to dispel the horrifying thought. "No. Not happening. Nuh-uh!" she exclaimed, her voice rising in pitch, the idea of needles and pain swirling in her mind.
Nasha gave her a comforting smile, though her eyes sparkled with mischief. "Oh, come on! It'll be quick, I promise!"
Moments later, Nashi found herself laying dramatically on their bed, a hand towel draped across her chest like a makeshift superhero cape. She glanced up at the ceiling as if contemplating the universe's greatest mysteries—like why she had agreed to this at all. "The things I'm willing to sacrifice for our family," she sighed, adopting a melodramatic tone.
Nasha chuckled, rummaging through their makeshift piercing kit, which consisted of a needle, cotton balls, and a bottle of sanitizer. "There will be more in the future."
"That's what I'm afraid of!" Nashi groaned, rolling her eyes but feeling a thrill of excitement beneath her fear. She was terrified but determined, willing to sacrifice almost everything for her family—even her earlobes.
"Okay, ready?" Nasha asked, her voice surprisingly calm given the chaos that was about to unfold.
"Do I look ready?" Nashi shot back, her wide eyes betraying her fear.
"I guess not," Nasha admitted with a smirk. "But just get on with it. You'll be fine!"
Nashi took a deep breath, gripping the bedspread like it was a life raft in a stormy sea. "Just do it already!"
After meticulously sanitising the needle like a surgeon preparing for the operation of a lifetime, Nasha turned to her twin. "Okay, count to three, and on three, I'll do it."
"Fine," Nashi huffed, squeezing her eyes shut. "One... two—"
Without waiting for the dreaded "three," Nasha plunged the needle through Nashi's earlobe.
Nashi's reaction was immediate and explosive. "AHHHH!" she screamed, shooting upright as if she'd been electrocuted. The sound echoed off the walls like a fire alarm going off.
Nasha let out a high-pitched scream of her own, completely startled by her twin's over-the-top reaction.
Finally, the last day of camp arrived. The twins stood facing each other, both a bit nervous but also giddy with anticipation. "Okay, this is it!" Nashi said, her voice brimming with excitement.
"Ready?" Nasha nodded, determination in her eyes. They started, their hands moving in sync: palm slap, spin, finger wiggle, elbow bump. This time, everything flowed seamlessly.
"Now, to finish it off, we switch places!" Nashi grinned, and with one final flourish, they stepped back, pretending to swap identities as they completed the handshake with a perfectly timed shake of their hands.
They both burst into laughter, exhilarated and proud. "We did it!" Nasha exclaimed, her face beaming with joy.
"I knew you could do it!" Nashi replied, her heart swelling with sisterly pride. The two of them exchanged a knowing glance, filled with the promise of adventures and the bond that would carry them through whatever came next.
As morning dawned, the excitement of the day was palpable. They had already said goodbye to their camp friends, promising to keep in touch as soon as they got home. Nashi and Nasha were the only two left in their group of friends, a bittersweet reminder of their fleeting summer adventure.
Both twins felt a twinge of nervousness, hoping everything would work out. Suddenly, Nashi's name was called.
"That's your ride," Nashi said, a sweet smile on her face, even though she was going to miss hanging out with her twin. "I'll see you soon?"
Nasha nodded, and they hugged tightly, savouring the moment before Nasha dashed off toward her ride. She turned around to wave one last time, feeling tears welling at the corners of her eyes. The farewell was tough, but she knew it wouldn't be long until they were together again.
On the aeroplane, Nasha was a nervous wreck, staring out the window as clouds drifted past like fluffy cotton candy. In just a few hours, she'd be meeting her mom, and she desperately hoped her mom would love her just as fiercely as she loved her twin. As the plane descended, her stomach churned with anticipation and anxiety. When it finally landed, Nasha scanned the terminal, searching for someone familiar among the sea of strangers.
Unfortunately, her height made it difficult to see over the crowd. Determined, she hopped onto one of the seats to get a better view. Her nerves began to bubble up as she felt her heart race.
Just then, someone tapped her shoulder. Whipping around, she found Uncle Laxus grinning at her, arms wide open for a hug. Nasha released a relieved breath and jumped into his embrace.
"Welcome home, kiddo," he said, ruffling her hair affectionately.
"I'm home, Uncle," she replied, her voice filled with warmth.
"Now give me five!"
This was the moment she had prepared for. With newfound confidence and determination, she placed her bag on the seat and launched into their secret handshake. Each move flowed seamlessly, perfectly executed. She couldn't have felt prouder. Even as passersby glanced at them with curious looks, they both erupted into laughter, revelling in their shared joy.
Once outside, Laxus guided her to their car, promising to return after retrieving her luggage at the baggage claim area. As they drove through Altair, Nasha couldn't help but gaze out the window in awe. The city was a blend of old-world charm and vibrant energy, with cobblestone streets lined with quaint shops and cafes. Colourful banners fluttered above, and the scent of fresh pastries wafted through the air.
The buildings were painted in pastel hues, each adorned with ivy and blooming flowers, creating a fairy-tale ambiance. Majestic towers rose against the skyline, their spires piercing the clouds like ancient guardians. Everywhere she looked, there were whimsical sculptures and fountains that danced in the sunlight, making Altair feel like a dream come to life.
"We're here!" Uncle Laxus announced, pulling into the driveway. A wave of nervousness washed over Nasha as thoughts of what-ifs began to swirl in her mind, but she quickly pushed them aside.
The house before her was enormous, a picturesque example of fairy-tale architecture. It had elegant arches and tall windows, with a front yard that resembled a perfectly manicured garden. Roses in shades of crimson and blush adorned the path, while bushes shaped into perfect cubes lined the walkway. As she approached the front door, her hands trembled slightly as she twisted the knob and pushed it open.
Inside, the house was even more enchanting than Nasha had imagined. High ceilings soared above her, and the walls were adorned with family photos, each frame capturing moments of laughter, love, and adventure. The soft light streaming through the windows cast a golden glow across the rooms, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that felt like a page torn from the storybooks her Papa used to read about.
As she stepped further inside, Nasha's eyes widened in delight at the sight of a colourful welcome banner strung across the entrance hall. "Welcome Home, Nashi!" it proclaimed in cheerful letters, decorated with whimsical drawings of flowers and stars. The sight made her heart swell with joy; it was a tangible reminder of the love and excitement her family had for her return.
The house buzzed with a comforting energy, and Nasha felt as if she were stepping into a fairytale—a place where dreams were nurtured and where every corner held a story waiting to be told.
"Nashi?" a voice called from her left, familiar yet filled with warmth. Nasha instantly recognized it from the pictures her twin had shown her.
"Grandfather!" she squealed, darting forward to embrace the old man.
"Welcome home, darling," he said, his face lighting up with a smile as he enveloped her in a warm hug.
Nasha felt an overwhelming sense of belonging wash over her, a comforting wave that made all her worries fade away. In that moment, she knew she was exactly where she was meant to be.
"How was camp?" her grandfather asked, a twinkle of curiosity in his eyes.
"It was wonderful, Grandfather! You wouldn't believe it!" Nasha exclaimed, her excitement bubbling over as she recalled the adventures she had shared with her twin and their new friends.
"Nashi?" Another voice called out, this one softer and more melodic. Nasha recognized it instantly.
"Well, you can tell it to me during dinner. Now go meet your mother; she missed you so much," he said, his smile warm and encouraging.
Nasha nodded eagerly, her heart racing as she dashed toward the lounge floor. She climbed the stairs two at a time, her anticipation mounting with each step. At the top, she caught sight of a tall blonde woman closing one of the doors, and her breath caught in her throat.
"Mom?" Nasha called, her voice barely a whisper.
The woman turned around, and time seemed to pause. Her mother's brown eyes sparkled with happiness, lighting up her face. Golden locks cascaded down her shoulders, swishing gracefully with her movement. She wore a white, flowy dress that danced around her knees, short in the front and elongating at the back, giving her an ethereal appearance. To Nasha, she looked like a Fairy Godmother, radiant and full of warmth.
"Welcome home, Nashi," her mother said, her voice soft and inviting.
I hope you guys are enjoying this story TT^TT
Sorry for the slow updates. My focus is on our thesis right now but with the storm and blackouts, I had time to work on this chapter.