"Mom…" Felix muttered, trying to sound firm but ending up more like a pleading child. "You're making me embarrassed already, and I didn't even leave yet."
Aine sat up suddenly, scooting close to ruffle his carefully combed hair until it stuck up like a dandelion. "Alright, alright—I won't come. But only if you promise me something."
Felix narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "What?"
"Bring me back a shiny souvenir," Aine said with a grin, her tone playful but her eyes gleaming with foxlike mischief. "Something rare. Something mysterious. Something that proves my son thought of his beautiful mother even on a school trip."
Felix groaned again, but a small smile tugged at his lips. "Fine. I'll bring you something shiny. But please, don't show up at the trip pretending to be a kid!"
Aine gasped, holding her face in mock horror. "Me? Pretend to be a child? How dare you accuse your poor mother of such a thing!"
Felix laughed despite himself. "Because you would!"
****
