She Outshines 20


    Chapter 20


    ire said, a smile in her voice, “Josie is super lively once she warms up to someone, but she’s shy


    around new people.


    “But she really likes you-she’s been excited about meeting her seventh sister for the past two days.


    Just wait, it won’t be long before she’s glued to you.”


    Athena nodded, then took a few steps forward and crouched down in front of Josic, smiling gently.


    “Josie, you know what? My little ck cat whispered something special to me before I left the house


    today. It told me that the youngest person I met today would be my lucky charm.


    “And guess what? You’re the youngest person I’ve met so far. That makes you my lucky star, Josie.”


    Josie’s curiosity was piqued. She peeked out from behind Maria, her big eyes blinking in surprise.


    “Did your little ck cat really say I’m your lucky star?”


    “Absolutely. My cat never lies,” Athena said seriously. “Next time, Ill bring it with me to meet you.


    How does that sound?”


    Noticing that Josie was holding a Hello Kitty toy, Athena guessed she liked cats. By ttering Josie,


    Athena hoped to make her feel morefortable.


    “Okay!” Josie eximed, fully stepping out from behind Maria, her eyes lighting up with excitement.


    “I want to tell my stories to the little cat! What’s its name?”


    L


    Athena pretended to think for a moment. “It’s still really young, so I haven’t named it yet. How about


    you give it a name when you meet?”


    “Oh, great!” Josie beamed, her dimples deepening as she shook her Hello Kitty. “Athena, you have


    to bring the little cat next


    time. I want to name it”


    “Deal. Let’s pinky swear on it,” Athena said, extending her pinky finger toward Josie.


    Josie let go of Maria’s leg and h**ed her pinky with Athena’s.


    -“Alright, now no one can break it.” Athena chuckled. “Josie, I’m hungry. I really want to eat some of


    Mom’s cooking, but I


    can’t remember which floor our apartment is on. Can you take me home for dinner?”


    “Sure thing!” Josie said, hopping out from behind Maria and grabbing Athena’s hand. “Let’s go eat


    to


    together, Sister!”


    Athena smiled warmly as they started walking. “Josie, you know, we’re almost the same age. You


    can call me Athena, and we can be good friends.”


    Josie didn’t even pause to consider the age difference. The idea of being friends with such a


    beautiful princess made her eyes. sparkle with joy. “Okay, from now on, we’re good friends, Athenal”


    She added, “Maria told me we’re friends too, and good friends can call each other by their first


    names. Fora child like Josie, the concept of “friend” was much easier to understand than “sister.”


    The others looked on, quietly impressed. In just a few minutes, Athena had managed to get the shy


    and timid Josie to hold her hand willingly. They all marveled at Athena’s remarkable emotional


    intelligence.


    They exchanged nces and smiled appreciatively, following Athena and Josie at a leisurely pace.


    Josie walked slowly, her body swaying slightly as she struggled to keep her bnce.


    That’s when Athena noticed Josie’s right leg had a slight limp. It wasn’t severe, but it was definitely


    noticeable.


    ‘No wonder Josie, despite being so adorable, is so shy. Her leg must have affected her a lot, Athena


    thought. She made a mental note to find a time to get Josie’s leg checked out to see if it could be


    treated.


    1/3


    Chapter 20


    As they climbed the stairs, Athena continued chatting with Josie Josie, how old are you? Are yo


    “I’m four and a half,” Josie replied. “I go to New Petal Kindergarten, in the middle ss.”


    “Do you like it there?” Athena asked.


    in kindergarten?”


    “Yeah, I like it. It’s fun.” Josie said, swinging her Hello Kitty toy. The teachers are really nice to all theProperty ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    kids, and my ssmates like to y with me.


    Athena then asked, “Is New Petal Kindergarten far from home?”


    “It’s pretty far,” Josie said. “Maria takes me on her electric scooter


    Athena nodded. “I love eating, sleeping, and reading books. What do you like to do, Josie?”


    “I love singing and listening to stories the most,” Josie answered.


    Athena smiled warmly, “Can you sing a song for me, Josie!”


    Josie hesitated, then looked up shyly, hiding her face behind her Hello Kitty toy. “O-okay. I’m happy


    now, and when I’m. happy, I want to sing…”


    Athena pped her hands lightly. “What song will you sing for me?”


    Still hiding behind her Hello Kitty. Josie sang softly, “Mary had a littlemb, littlemb, littlemb…”


    Athena was amazed. Even though the song was simple, Joise’s valce was angelic. Her pitch was


    perfect, and her rhythm was spot on-way beyond what one would expect from a child her age. She


    thought Joise had real musical talent.


    Before Josie could finish singing, they reached the top floor. Because of the building’syout, their


    apartment door was right next to the stairwell.


    Josie let go of Athena’s hand, sprinted to the door, and stood on her tiptoes to press her fingerprint


    against the electronic lock. “Athena, we’re home!”


    She pushed the door open and practically bounced inside, “Mom’s cooking smells amazing. I’m the


    happiest when I get to


    eat Mom’s food!”


    Athena smiled as she stepped into the apartment. With six people eating together, it was going to


    be a bit of a squeeze, but the closeness only seemed to bring the family closer together.


    As they all took their seats, everyone but Josie scrambled to serve Athena soup and dishes.


    Athena nced around the table. Lunch was mostly appetizers and veggie dishes: Cobb sd,


    bruschetta, baked potatoes, stuffed mushrooms, and cheesy meatballs.


    The mains