Chapter 462
Chapter 462
The kids buzzed with chatter as Alessia joined her team members, sliding easily into the circle.
“Oh, look at you-raising the bar for the rest of us,” one of her teammates joked, giving her a playful nudge.
“What can I say? Excellence is a hard habit to break,” Alessia replied, and the group erupted in a chorus of good-natured teasing.
She brushed off their ribbing with a smile, then dropped another fact on
them-one that was harder to swallow.
“Wait, you’re telling me we have to hike up this hill for an hour just to get to school every morning, and then do it all over again to get home at night?” Mia stared at her, disbelief written all over her face.
Alessia nodded, patting her shoulder. “The good news is, it’s a lot easier going downhill-shouldn’t take the whole hour on the way back.”
“Well, thanks for that,” Mia replied, shooting her a look full of mock
resentment.
grinned, a mischievous glint in
was nothing to
they made their way toward the school. The kids seemed perfectly used to the trek, talking and giggling along the way. To
firmly in Alessia’s. She watched the others huff and puff up the path,
12:18
Chapter 462
chest.
asked, catching Susannah’s gaze and glancing
at her.
aren’t you
with a smile, “And what about you?
not tired?”
this way every day. We’re used to it!” Susannah
sincere. Even adults love a compliment; for a kid, it’s even
flushed, though with her sun-kissed
tell.
your friends.
girl-clearly Susannah’s school buddy-kept glancing back, waiting for her. Alessia ruffled Susannah’s hair
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