Ch: 12 [A friendly banter]

"Did you just call me Tsundere?" Lily cracked her knuckles.

Jack's eyes widened in realization as he took a step back, realizing his slip of the tongue. He had inadvertently called Lily by the nickname the other children had given her due to her fiery and sometimes unpredictable demeanor. He knew all too well that Lily had a tendency to get easily riled up, and his choice of words had clearly struck a nerve.

"Uh, sorry, Lily," Jack stammered, his voice tinged with nervousness. "I didn't mean to call you that. It just slipped out. My apologies."

Lily's expression softened slightly as she noticed Jack's genuine apology. She sighed and rolled her eyes, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," she muttered, trying to hide her amusement. "Just be more careful with your words next time, okay?"

Jack nodded fervently, relieved that Lily seemed to have taken his mistake in stride. He knew how important it was to be mindful of Lily's quick temper and not provoke her unnecessarily.

"So, what's this about you leaving?" Lily asked, her tone a mix of curiosity and concern. "Is it true?"

Jack took a deep breath, realizing he couldn't keep his plans a secret any longer. Lily had always been someone he could confide in, despite their occasional clashes.

"Yeah, Lily," he replied, his voice tinged with a touch of sadness. "I've been accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I'll be leaving soon to start my magical education there."

"Aahahaha!" Lily bursts out in laughter clutching her stomach.

Jack sighed. He could understand the reason behind Lily's laugh since magic is beyond their understanding. Besides, everyone laughs it off when he talks about the creatures living in and around the orphanage.

Jack shooked his head with a smile, "You should smile more often, Lily."

Lily's laughter gradually subsided as she caught her breath, her cheeks flushed with a mix of amusement and embarrassment. She glanced up at Jack, her eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint.

"Smile? Me? Don't get carried away, Jack," Lily retorted, attempting to regain her composure. "But I have to admit, the idea of you going to a magical school is pretty ridiculous. I mean, magic? Really?"

Jack chuckled, appreciating Lily's teasing nature. He understood that the concept of magic was unfamiliar and even unbelievable to those who hadn't experienced it firsthand.

"I know it sounds crazy, Lily," Jack replied, his tone filled with a mixture of excitement and uncertainty. "But it's true. There's a whole magical world out there, and I've been given the chance to be a part of it. I'm going to learn spells, potions, and so much more."

Lily raised an eyebrow, her skepticism evident. "And what? You're going to be some kind of wizard?"

Jack nodded eagerly, a glimmer of determination shining in his eyes. "Yes, that's the plan. I'll be attending Hogwarts, where I'll study magic alongside other students who have similar abilities. It's a chance for me to discover who I am and what I'm capable of."

"Well, as long as you clean my room, I don't care where you go or what you do," Lily interjected with a playful smirk, her teasing nature coming to the forefront once again.

Jack chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh, don't worry, Lily. I'll make sure to clean your room one last time before I leave. Can't let you live in a mess, right?"

"Here," Lily extended the can of soda towards Jack, a small gesture of goodwill that held more meaning than her tough exterior let on. It was her way of showing that she cared, even if she didn't always express it openly.

"Thanks, Lily," Jack said, accepting the can with gratitude. "I appreciate it."

Lily shrugged nonchalantly, trying to downplay her kind act. "Don't take it for granted, you get it? Anyway, Four eyes told you to go to her office after your duty. Humf..."

"Hey, don't call her that. It's rude," Jack said calmly.

"Really?" Lily's glance seemed to pierce through her eyes.

"Hehe. Sorry, my bad," Jack replied, scratching his head. He knows he had just been rude to her a moment ago.

"Humff..." She stormed off toward the laundry room.

Jack watched as Lily stormed off, her tough exterior back in place. He understood that Lily's guarded nature was a result of the pain she had experienced in her past. Losing her brother had deeply affected her, and she had built walls around herself to protect her heart from further hurt. But Jack also knew that beneath her tough facade, Lily carried a compassionate and caring nature that she rarely showed.

As Jack held the can of soda in his hand, he couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for Lily's unexpected gesture. It was a reminder that even in the midst of their banter and occasional clashes, there was a bond between them, a connection forged through their shared experiences at the orphanage.

Jack finished his cleaning duties for the day, still mulling over his conversation with Lily. As he made his way through the orphanage corridors, he couldn't help but notice the other children going about their daily activities. Each one had their own story, their own struggles and triumphs that had brought them to this place.

He passed by Timmy, a quiet boy with a knack for drawing. Timmy had lost his parents in a tragic accident and found solace in his art, creating vibrant and imaginative worlds on the pages of his sketchbook. Despite his silent nature, his artwork spoke volumes about his inner world.

Further down the hall, he saw Emily, a girl with a perpetual smile on her face. Emily had been abandoned as a baby and had grown up in the orphanage, but she never let her past define her. She radiated a joy and positivity that uplifted the spirits of those around her.

Jack's thoughts were interrupted as he reached Mrs. Hilda's office. Mrs. Hilda was the kind-hearted but stern owner of the orphanage, responsible for taking care of the children and ensuring their well-being. She had always been a figure of authority, but she had also shown compassion to the children, becoming a mother figure to them in her own way.

Jack knocked on the door, waiting for Mrs. Hilda's response before entering. The room was filled with warmth, adorned with pictures of the children, showing the various activities they had participated in over the years. Mrs. Hilda sat behind her desk, her silver hair neatly arranged, and a gentle smile on her face.

"Come in, Jack," she said kindly, motioning for him to take a seat.