The Fairy's Kinda...Different?

Alex opened his eyes to a familiar ceiling, but not one that belonged to his home or classroom. The remnants of sleep still lingered, and he blinked slowly, savouring the unhurried moment. There was no immediate need to think about survival or worry about his surroundings. Just as Lydia had assured him, he felt at ease.

Hearing some rustling beside him, he turned to see Lydia cleaning the room with a duster.

"Good morning, Lydia," Alex greeted her awkwardly.

"Hmm? Oh my, you're awake," Lydia replied with a serene, motherly smile, even stronger than before.

Alex attempted to sit up, and Lydia reached out to help him.

"How long did I sleep this time? Another day? Since you know, different clothes and all," Alex joked, noticing Lydia's new outfit and hoping to elicit a smile.

"Different clothes? I... ah," Lydia paused, then smiled mischievously. "How do I look this time?"

Lydia posed cutely, placing her hands on her hips and bending forward slightly, her eyes sparkling with mischief. She added a playful wink, her long lashes fluttering over her twinkling eyes. The gesture was a perfect blend of innocence and flirtation, radiating a charm that was both endearing and captivating. Her posture emphasised her delicate features, and the gentle curve of her smile made her look irresistibly adorable.

Just barely controlling his emotions and mind so as not to blurt out whatever was on his mind, Alex quickly gave her a once-over to distract himself from making that same mistake.

Her new dress, an elegant yet slightly worn-out one-piece, added to her dignified presence. She wore an emerald pendant necklace in the shape of a crescent moon, which complemented her outfit and gave her an air of timeless grace. Her aura was a blend of playful mischief and maternal warmth, making her both endearing and slightly naughty.

"Yeah, you look very nice in it. The outfit fits you well, like a pixie in a forest," Alex said honestly and casually added a whimsical comparison at the end.

"Oho ho, that's very sweet of you," Lydia responded with a lady-like laugh, covering her mouth with her hand without a hint of a blush.

Alex immediately noticed something was strange. Lydia was acting differently. She spoke and laughed differently, exuding an air of maturity. Even her scent, though familiar, seemed slightly changed. But as he looked at this Lydia intently, he couldn't pinpoint any physical difference.

"Something wrong?" Lydia(?) asked, her smile disarming.

"Ah, sorry. I felt something was different about you today, but I didn't know what. Sorry to stare," Alex responded quickly, realising he had been gazing at her face for a while.

Lydia(?)'s eyes suddenly twinkled with a spark of inspiration. "Say, is my face your type?" she asked, her voice playful.

"Huh?!" Alex stiffened, his heart pounding loudly in his chest. Lydia's sudden and forward question caught him completely off guard. What would he even say? Was her face his type? Absolutely! But could he admit that? Wouldn't it imply he liked her looks too much? Wouldn't that seem creepy? Questions raced through Alex's mind, each crashing into the side lanes of his thoughts, driving him into full-blown anxiety.

Stuttering, Alex managed to mumble, his eyes spinning from overthinking. "Uh…hmm…eh… yeah, it is? Hmm? Eh?"

"Oho ho, how very honest of you, dear. You must be quite fond of me," Lydia (?) laughed again, her tone teasing.

"I'm not imagining it, am I? Her laugh's different," Alex thought silently, bewildered by the change in Lydia (?).

"Hmm, oh you, staring at me so much again," Lydia (?) noticed Alex's gaze and teased him as if it came naturally.

"Ah! I'm sorry. I'm just really curious about…" Before Alex could finish, Lydia (?) got up close and poked his cheek.

Taken aback, Alex instinctively leaned back, pressing against the wall. "Ly-Lydia?!"

Lydia (?) chuckled heartily, then climbed onto the bed, her body and face drawing dangerously close to Alex. His heart pounded so hard it felt like it might burst. "Uh…Ly-Lydia…what are you…"

"Hey, do you…like…me?" Lydia (?) asked in a seductive voice.

Alex's mind went blank, his face burning up. "Wha-I-uh…what? I…huh?" he stuttered, unable to process the question.

"Hey. Answer me, will you? Do you…" Lydia (?) whispered, her hand caressing Alex's face, stimulating every nerve, then sliding down to press on the core in his chest.

Completely overwhelmed, Alex quickly grabbed Lydia (?)'s hand and pulled it away. "Please wait! I can't take much of…"

"HEY!" a high-pitched voice pierced the room.

Alex turned toward the doorway…to see another Lydia standing at the entrance, hands on her hips, her expression annoyed and pouting.

"Will you please get off him?! He's barely just woken up, and you're already bothering him!" The Lydia at the doorway marched in and pulled Lydia (?) away from the bed.

"Oho ho! But he's so very fun to tease! His reactions are so funny, too," Lydia (?) chuckled and winked at Alex.

Alex's eyes darted from Lydia to Lydia (?), utterly confused. "Oh…what is…what in the world? Two Lydias?"

"Hmph! Mom!" Lydia huffed angrily at Lydia (?).

"Mom…?" Alex echoed in confusion.

"Oho ho, it's very nice to meet you, dear. I'm Linda, Lydia's mother," Lydia (?) introduced herself, lifting the sides of her dress in a graceful curtsy.

Alex blinked, his eyes darting between the two women. Linda looked remarkably like Lydia, almost like an older twin. The resemblance was uncanny, with the same striking eyes and delicate features. However, both side by side each other, Alex could now spot the subtle differences that set them apart. Linda's hair, though styled similarly, had a few streaks of silver, and faint wrinkles lined the corners of her eyes and mouth, hinting at her age. Despite these signs of maturity, she radiated the same vibrant energy as her daughter.

"Mom! I love you, but please, for the love of cores, stop bothering him already!" Lydia said, her tone a mix of exasperation and affection.

Linda chuckled, her laughter melodic. "Oh, Lydia, darling, I was just having a bit of fun. You know how rare it is to meet someone new around here."

Linda glanced back at Alex and winked at him, "Moreover, someone my daughter cares so much for!"

Alex, still trying to process the situation, managed a weak smile. "It's, uh, nice to meet you, Mrs Linda."

"Oh please, dear, do call me Linda," she replied with a wink. "Mrs Linda makes me feel kinda old. Besides…" Linda hugged her daughter close, deliberately pressing her face to Lydia's face. "We practically look the same age, don't we?"

Lydia sighed, pulling away from her mother and shaking her head. "Mom, come on. We need to let Alex rest. He's still recovering!"

"Of course, of course," Linda agreed, her playful demeanour softening. She stepped back, giving Alex some space. "I'll leave you two to it. But, Alex, do remember—if you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask, alright?"

Before Linda gracefully exited the room, she turned to Lydia one last time and gave a spirited wink, "And Lydia, dear, don't do anything naughty while I'm not looking!".

"MOM!" Lydia, her face flushed red, yelled irritably while Linda skipped away, humming a cheerful tune.

As Linda's cheerful humming became less audible, Lydia turned to Alex, her expression apologetic and embarrassed. "I'm so sorry about my mom. She can be a bit... overwhelming."

Alex chuckled, feeling more at ease. "It's okay. She seems like a fun person. Has she always been like that?"

Lydia smiled warmly with a hint of exasperation, "Oh, she sure always has been. I've been on the receiving end of her practical jokes for years now. But she means well."

Tapping her cheeks lightly to compose herself, she continued, "Now, how are you feeling? Do you need anything?"

Alex shook his head. "Oh, no, I'm fine. Just a bit..." Before Alex could finish, a grumble from his stomach echoed out. "Hungry, I guess."

Lydia giggled and nodded understandingly, "Hehe! Alright, let me get some food for you then. Just take it easy for now."

Alex smiled, feeling a sense of comfort and belonging.

Beyond the chaos and confusion, he knew he was in good hands.