Chapter Twenty-Four

That night, Dera prepared for her creative endeavours. She quickly took a refreshing bath, changed into her comfortable nightdress, and made her way to the family library. The room was filled with rows of tightly packed bookshelves, their aged wooden frames giving a sense of nostalgia. Dera glanced up at the shelves, observing how they seemed on the verge of collapse under the weight of the books. Yet, despite their precarious appearance, each book was kept clean and well-maintained, ensuring they remained free from dust and the ravages of termites.

Carefully selecting a few books that she hoped would provide guidance for her challenges, Dera collected them in her arms and headed to Andrew's room. His space was adorned with blue and white stripes, while Dera's room boasted a charming blend of pink and white. Though the colours had started to fade over time, the rooms still exuded a cosy and inviting atmosphere.

'Maybe I could sleep in your room today?' Dera suggested, entering Andrew's room with a playful smile. 'Just to make sure I don't doze off while writing out my Goodwall ideas.'

Andrew raised an eyebrow, teasingly. 'Dera, you often sneak into my room without my permission.'

Giggling, Dera replied, 'That's only when I want to watch horror movies.'

Andrew playfully pinched her cheek. 'All right, do you have any ideas for your challenges yet?' he asked, sitting up on his bed.

'Not yet,' Dera sighed. 'I couldn't find anything from these books I took from dad's library.'

'You won't find anything in those books,' Andrew remarked, a hint of mischief in his voice. 'All you need to do is apply your super genius brain, not just read a library.'

Dera pouted, pretending to be offended. 'Hey! I'll have you know that I'm a great reader!'

'Of course you are,' Andrew said with a chuckle. 'But for these challenges, you need to think outside the box. However, I can give you some initial ideas, and you can expand upon them yourself.'

Filled with excitement, Dera found herself comfortably seated on the bed, swiftly jotting down her ideas. Meanwhile, Andrew made his way to his study desk, immersing himself in his school project, diligently working on it.

As Andrew shared his thoughts and ideas after Dera finished writing out her own points, Dera listened attentively, her mind buzzing with possibilities. Once Andrew finished, Dera eagerly began expanding on those ideas, putting her own unique spin on them.

Andrew carefully went through her expanded ideas, praising her when she got it right and offering guidance when needed. They engaged in passionate discussions and friendly debates, exploring various angles and perspectives. Dera knew she wasn't a bad writer, but she cherished the opportunity to learn from her elder brother. She saw it as an audition, a chance to improve her skills and expand her knowledge.

Dera was participating in all five challenges, and for each one, she chose a topic that resonated with her. She wanted her ideas to be authentic and meaningful. Glancing up from her work, she noticed Andrew's collection of books and lecture notes, which piqued her curiosity. Leaving her seat, she walked over to his desk, her fingers trailing over the hardcover of the topmost book before returning to the bed.

'Do you want to be a lawyer too?' Andrew asked, observing Dera's interest in his legal studies materials.