NovelBookChapter 454
The village chief gave the two older boys beside him a gentle pat on the back of their heads. The boys
understood immediately; without needing another word, they quietly stepped forward to help the girls with their
suitcases.
Neither boy spoke as they took the luggage. Instead, they kept rubbing their hands on their trousers, as if to
prove they were clean and hoping the girls wouldn't mind their help. Watching this, a few of the adults felt a
lump in their throat.
The girls had been embarrassed to let children help, but seeing the boys so eager and so careful not to offend-
made them hesitate to refuse. They didn’t want to hurt the boys’ feelings or seem ungrateful.
Everyone was a little awkward, but that just proved how genuine and kind-hearted they all were. After all, only
people like this would volunteer to travel to such a remote corner of the countryside.
The chief noticed the tension and waved his hand. “Let them help, it’s fine. These kids have been carrying heavy
things their whole lives-they might be stronger than those three boys over there.”
One of the boys from the group flexed his arm, grin full of mischief. “Guess we'll have to settle it with an arm
wrestling match later-prove
who's really the strongest.”
“Oh, quit showing off!” one of the girls laughed, giving him a playful slap on the arm. It was obvious from their
banter that the two were close.
“I'm twelve, you know,” the oldest of the local boys piped up. He spoke in clear, careful English-a/rarity here.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt“Twelve?” the girl echoed, surprised.
The village chief nodded. “Most of their parents go off to work in the city, so the kids live here with their
grandparents. Life up in the hills isn’t easy, as I'm sure you've noticed-nutrition’s always been a struggle. But
things have gotten much better recently. The government's stepped in, we've got
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Chapter 454
new desks at the school, even built a cafeteria. The early years were hard, but with scare, these kids will
catch up and grow strong.”
The boy chimed in, eager, “Yeah! We even have a basketball court now. Ms. Warren says playing basketball will
help us grow taller.”
“I can shoot three-pointers!” another little one called out, eyes shining.
Soon, all the kids were talking at once-sin the broad local accent, others trying their best with halting
English. Their faces were bright, full of hope for the future.
“Ms. Warren is my wife,” the chief explained, smiling. “She teaches all the children now. There aren't many-just
about a dozen-so there's no grade separation. She and another teacher handle all the classes.”
Everyone nodded in understanding. With the kids chatting and the group’s own “class clown” joining in, the
atmosphere quickly grew lighter. The fatigue and nerves from earlier faded away, replaced by easy laughter and
conversation.
“What's your name?” Alessia asked the little girl walking beside her.
“Susannah. Susannah Holt.” The girl's voice was so soft, Alessia almost missed it. Susannah repeated herself,
just in case.
“Susannah? Hello, I'm Alessia Morton,” she replied, choosing her words carefully to make them easy to follow.
“I know. Ms. Warren taught us the alphabet,” Susannah mumbled, eyes fixed on the ground, too shy to look at
Alessia.
“Can you write my name?”
« ye ,
| can, but my handwriting’s not very
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pretty,” Susannah agitied: om
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How about this-before | go home,
can you practice and write myname
beautify forme? Matis a thank
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Susannah gazed up at Alessia. Other teachers had visited before, but
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Chapter 454
never anyone as lovely as Alessia-she
looked like a on straight auto B!
storybodk The ontent is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
Enchanted, Susannah nodded.
“Okay.”
And just like that, a small promise was made at the very start of their
story.
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