27

Chapter 1

The hot breath of the sun rested delicately upon my face, signalling it was time to rise. I slowly opened my eyes and rolled over to check the time: 9:37am. It took me a flush of anxiety before I realised it was a Bank Holiday. No work for today; Cat Island could wait. I had just shifted myself until I was comfortable again, nearly drifting off, before my phone buzzed. Groaning, I stared at the illuminated screen. A text from Nilesy stared back. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY HANNAH!" It read.

My heart fluttered, in the same way it does when one realises it's Christmas Day as a child. I had completely forgotten. I was 27 years old, too old for my liking. I thought back to my previous birthdays in recent years: My 21st where Honeydew and I had gone out dancing whilst Xephos stayed at home, grumpy as usual, my 24th where Xephos had spent his last few diamonds crafting me a beautiful blue necklace, kissing me under the light of thousands of stars, and my 26th, where I spent all day with Nano and the rest of the crew, then came home to a beautiful and romantic evening with Xephos. But Xephos was gone now. This would be the first birthday in six long years without him. Tears began to form in my eyes but I quickly blinked them away as Mr Owl fluttered into my bedroom. He hooted at the dead mouse he had brought me (his idea of a gift).
"Thanks Mr Owl! You're the best pet ever." I stroked his soft feathers.

After a while of stroking Mr Owl, engaging in casual conversation, I decided to get up and make some breakfast. I had bought myself some expensive cheese from Hat Films' market as a little treat, along with some fresh coffee beans Nano had bought me as an early gift. I was just sitting down when I heard a knock on the door. "HANNAH!" I heard Nilesy call. "Your door is unlocked so I'm just coming in! Please be decent!"

I laughed as Nilesy walked into my treehouse, shielding his eyes. "Don't be silly Nilesy! Of course I'm decent!"

He slowly removed his hands from his eyes. "Oh! So you are! Happy Birthday Hannah!" He gave me a quick hug. "I bought you something!"

"Oh God." I muttered, only half-joking. I knew how ridiculous Nilesy could be. I watched as he produced a small, brown paper bag from his pocket. He tipped them out onto the large branch I used as a table. "Croissants!" I exclaimed. "Wow Nilesy! These must have been so expensive!"

"Nah, I traded a few emeralds for them with that merchant who works at the market. When I told him it was your birthday he let me have them for less- always has had a soft spot for you!" Nilesy said.

"Right. Bit creepy, but croissants! I also have cheese from Hat Films and some coffee Nano gave me! Have breakfast with me!" I smiled.

"Sure. What would you normally be doing on your birthday?" Nilesy asked, sitting down and pouring himself a cup of coffee.

I thought of Xephos. "Oh, nothing special." I needed to get over him. Thinking of him was not going to help.

"Yeah, I hate birthdays. It means you're one year closer to death." Nilesy muttered.

"Thanks!" I laughed.

We sat for a while, eating our breakfast and chatting; it was nice hanging out with Nilesy, but nothing like talking with Xephos.