Ѧ Alice Cenhelm Ѧ

“…Alice? Aliiiice. Are you dozing off?”

The girl jolts up. “aaaaaAAAAA NO I’M NOT I’M DEFINITELY NOT! MATH IS A VERY FUN CLASS MR. SMITH-!” She blinks. …Oh. She was at home.

Her mom sits down next to her on the couch, a wry smile on her face, reaching over to brush some of the hair from her eyes. “Relaaaax, it’s still the weekend, sleepy-head.” She puts on a playfully stern expression. “Now, what’s this about falling asleep in math class?”

The girl flusters. “U-uhhhhhh, I don’t know what you’re talking about??”

Her mom laughs, before giving her a little flick on the forehead. “Don’t lie to me, little miss. I know school can be boring, but you can’t just be falling asleep, alright?”

The girl rubs at her forehead, pouting. “Okaaay.”

“Very good.” The woman puts a hand to her chin. “Come to think of it, you’ve been pretty tired recently, huh? Have you been staying up late?”

Memories of multiple late-night patrols come to mind. “…n-no.”

“Hmmm…” Her mom puts the back of her hand on the girl’s forehead. “You do feel kinda warm. Maybe you should take it easy?”

The girl stares down at her hands. “…Sorry, mom. I can’t. I have to keep going.”