Settling in Ravenport was easier than Alice had imagined. Of course, there were difficult moments. It was in a completely new country with a new culture she would have to learn and adapt. And she was without her husband, having to take care of a young baby.
As the year went by there were nights when she couldn't sleep at all, staring at the ceiling, remembering her beloved, without any way of knowing for sure what had happened to him or being able to return or ask for someone to look for him.
Still, she had no regrets, because she knew that if she did, she would be throwing away the opportunity he had worked and fought so hard to secure for them.
The money they had saved eventually ran out, but it lasted for a few months, serving as an emergency reserve. She managed to find a job by showing her skills as a capable housemaid, and the people of Ravenport were rather generous.
She always kept a smile on her face, even when the days felt exhausting and she had done a lot of work. She always remained cheerful and helpful, thankful to the mistress of the mansion who had allowed her to work there despite knowing she had no documentation in that country.
"Thank you for everything," Alice said to the mistress.
"There's no need to thank me," the woman replied.
"But…"
"You're a good person, Alice," the madam said again. "I know you went through a lot to protect your son."
The two had formed a friendship. The madam found Alice pleasant to talk to, and they often exchanged stories whenever they were close.
"You're a good person too," Alice replied, keeping her radiant smile as she served a bit more sweet tea for the madam.
"And your boy?"
"Oh… Renan is growing fast. He's a smart kid, already almost finished with elementary school," the maid replied with pride in her son, though something seemed to be weighing on her.
"Is something wrong?" the madam asked, knowing Alice would probably try to avoid the subject.
Alice was too modest to accept help, even when there was someone who could help her. She didn't want to bother people or take advantage of anyone's goodwill.
"You can talk to me. Money is not a problem."
"I know." Alice replied honestly.
"But the problem is that Renan is having trouble socializing at school."
The boy was smart and one of the best in his class, getting good grades and always showing interest in learning more. However, that made him isolated—after all, everyone who approached him either wanted something or tried to form a fake friendship, and he ended up doing their assignments.
Renan also didn't know how to form genuine friendships at that time. Since his mother always had to work to support him, he spent most of his life alone, and he didn't mind that.
But it made it hard for him to make friends and understand others.
"I see," Madam said. "Even so, I can pull some strings and get him into the best college in Ravenport. He'll need to work hard, of course, but I can secure a spot for him."
"Thank you, but that's too much."
"No, of course it's not."
Renan was obviously happy to hear from his mother that he could try applying to Ravenport biggest college and they would not have to pay much for it.
After all, he would be going to a college where he could learn anything. He started studying and giving it his best, but still...
His previously good grades were nothing compared to what that college demanded, and in the entrance exam we got a good score, but still ended up with few course options and chose the one that offered the most job opportunities.
"Wow... This apartment is really just for me?" Renan asked when he saw the place he'd be living in for the first time. The woman who had hired his mother was with him and nodded.
"Yes, I'll be paying the bills and your tuition without deducting anything from your mother's salary, so do your best for her," the woman said.
Renan agreed immediately. Even if it wasn't the course he truly wanted, he would try his best.
"And try to make friends too. There are many opportunities there for you—making friends is one of the best ways to grow."
"Oh. Yes, of course," the boy replied a bit shyly, and he considered that part of the deal as well.
On the first day of college, even trembling with nervousness from being around people smarter than him.
Renan tried his best to socialize and succeeded. Everyone was a bit shy and unsure, and that made things easier because they could understand each other somehow. He even joined a group that decided to go to a club after the first day of class to celebrate and get to know each other better.
It was in that club that he met Luna.
--------------------
"I told you my story was kind of boring," Renan said, noticing that Wendy had fallen asleep on the couch while he was telling his story, which was more about his father and mother than about himself.
He was feeling sleepy too. It was already late at night, so he took the video game controller from the girl's hand, laid her down on the couch, and turned off the game so she wouldn't wake up from the cheerful music.
"Good night, Wendy," he said, then glanced at the clock—it was almost one in the morning.
"Where are you, Luna?" he murmured, a bit worried.