The Awkward Hero

His eyes were taking in my outfit and for the hundredth time today, I wish I was wearing a dress for the first time in my life. I cringe inwardly as I try to pull my hand away, but the woman suddenly notices me.

She sucks in and looks at me with wide eyes. Li Mei quickly says, "This is Lyra, she saved me today." The woman blinks a few times before looking at me with mixed emotions. Suddenly she attacks! My whole body stiffens as she hugs me so tight, I can hardly breathe!

This was a hugging family... clearly a hugging family! She whispers over and over "Thank you, thank you for saving my daughter." Since my arms were pinned to my sides by her tight hug, all I could do was awkwardly nod.

She pulls back and says "Oh my, you've been injured! Did this happen while saving Mei Mei?!" She asked looking at the scratch on my cheek. I open my mouth to tell her it was a pile of leaves when Li Mei suddenly says "Yes, she's truly my hero!"

I turn and look at her with a look of confusion, but she just winks and smiles at me. The brother didn't miss the interaction though. I frown at her as her mother asks "What family are you from? I don't think I've ever seen you before. Your eyes are so unique, I would have remembered them."

I awkwardly smile as I say "I'm not from... around here. I'm from very, very far away. As I was trying to find my way back, I ran into Mei." Li Mei nods and says "You should have seen it! Those guys didn't stand a chance!"

Her brother narrows his eyes suspiciously at me as he questions "Little Mei, what happened?" Li Mei pouts a little as she says, "I was going to pick out a new dress because fall is coming but I was suddenly grabbed and thrown into a wooden chest."

"They loaded me up onto the carriage and took me out of the city. No matter how hard I yelled and screamed for help, no one could hear me!" Her brother looks like he's about to kill someone as her mother begins petting her and trying to calm her.

She still has my hand...

The brother then turns that murderous gaze on me as he asks, "And you just happened to be there!?" I narrow my eyes at him, turning to face him better as I say "Actually, no. I woke up in the forest with a bump the size of Mt Everest on my head when I heard her scream."

He frowns as his mother mutters "Mt Everest? Is that a mountain?"

I continue "If anyone heard a scream like that, they'd run to it too. When I saw what they were up to, I went down to help Li Mei." Li Mei nods her head and says "It's true! One guy screamed like a girl and dropped to the ground like a stick! The next guy tried to hit her but then the ground opened up and ate him! Nothing but his head is sticking out now! The other guy swung his sword at her but when she touched the blade, it turned into wasps!!"

Her brother looks at her and then shakes his head in disappointment. He sighs and says "I think you're still in shock. You need to rest; I will have the physician come and check you." He then turns to me and says, "As for you..."

I lift my free hand to stop him as I say "No need. I only agreed to walk her back home since it was dangerous for a girl to walk around like that. I will be leaving." The brother looks a little taken back as Li Mei yells "NO! You have to stay here. You didn't kill those men; they will come back to look for you! They'll want to get even! You saved my life, I want to do the same for you, please!"

Her mother suddenly chimes in and says "Mei Mei's right. You should stay here. Didn't you say you were from far away? How can I let my daughter's savior just leave like this? Please stay for a week, please. My husband will be back then and will love to meet you."

I bite my lip, trying to decide what to do when the brother suddenly says "You should stay, you've been injured helping my sister. Please rest here and get better." I look at the three of them before slowly nodding my head.

Li Mei finally let go of my hand as she says "Yes! Thank you, Lyra!" My smile twitches as her mother says thank you again and pulls Li Mei away. She turns back and says "Li Jie, please take care of Lyra."

Li Jie nods as his mother walks out with Li Mei. He turns back to me, looking me over again before clearing his throat and awkwardly looking away. "Please follow me. I will show you to your living quarters and get you a dress that... fits you."

He was already walking away but I'm pretty sure his ears had turned completely red. I glance around once more before silently following him. The house was oddly built, and it seemed like there were separate living areas all within the same household. Odd, but cool.

He brought me to a brightly lit building and says "This is where you'll stay while staying with us. Do you need to see the physician?" I shake my head no as I look around with confusion. When he grows silent, I turn to look at him and find him watching me with an odd expression, but he quickly hides it.

He clears his throat and says "I will have a few maids get your bath ready. I will have clean clothes for you by the time you're done." I nod and say, "Thank you." In a soft but steady voice. He watches me for a few seconds more, almost as if he wants to say something but instead, he nods and walks away.