The One

Birthday and the moon

A few days later when Feray woke, she heard the sound of people talking in the living room. Rubbing her eyes, she got up and habitually glanced into the mirror hanging behind her bedroom door to check her own reflection. If someone other than Waylon was outside, she should probably get dressed properly before even exiting her bedroom.

So that she did. Before leaving the room, she checked the mailbox.

Inside was a letter and a jewelry box.

Feray: Happy birthday. Your parents have been talking about it all week. They were initially going to abuse the fact that this mailbox has no limit and send loads of things—food included—until I convinced them you probably have plans on your own as well. In the end, they decided on a necklace. Best, Bentley.

What a short message, she thought to herself. Nonetheless, she opened the jewelry box. Inside was a moonstone necklace. The gem itself was thumb-sized; the necklace seemed suitable for any occasion—which was good. Feray put the necklace on and wrote a quick message in return.

Bentley: Thanks! I love the necklace too. I'll write more later tonight. Best, Feray.

Feray giggled to herself. If you can send a short message like that, so can I!

Regardless, she opened the door and stepped out. Waiting outside were a smiling Waylon and Zanna. The latter seemed to have only just arrived; she held a large bag in her arms.

"Happy birthday, my one!" the girl shouted behind the bag. "I brought food!"

"Food...?" Feray arched an eyebrow skeptically at the bag. "Thanks."

"I suspect she brought much more than necessary," Waylon said, speaking his sister's thoughts aloud.

"It's just morning, Zanna. What are you..."

The cheerful girl put the bag onto the table and took out the contents inside one by one. The first thing she took out was a cake in a box, followed by all sorts of cuisine—enough to last two days, probably.

"What's this...amount?" Feray asked.

"I'm sleeping over tonight!" Zanna announced.

"Hah?" exclaimed both siblings. "What about Grandma?" Waylon added.

"She invited her friends over for a drink."

"Hah?!" both Feray and Waylon exclaimed again.

The three spent the day lounging in the house and then visiting stationary shops. Before heading home again late in the afternoon, they visited Hayes by the school which, coincidentally, would also be the school they would be attending in a month. As it turned out, there were schools for those who began as soon as age 6, and schools for those who started school at other random ages. Because of that, there were no restrictions regarding roommates in dormitories. As a natural result, Zanna paired with Feray and Waylon left himself to the hands of fate.

That night, Zanna rolled into bed and watched as Feray paced back and forth in the room.

"What are you doing?" Finally, she asked.

"It feels like something's missing," Feray admitted. "Or I forgot something."

"What could it be?" Zanna asked, knowing her friend wouldn't be able to offer an answer. "Oh, I've been meaning to ask. When did you get that necklace?"

"My—" she stopped. She never did ask if it was alright to let Zanna know about the mailbox.

"You can tell her," came an unexpected but very familiar voice out the window.

Immediately, Zanna sat up in alertness; Feray opened the window without delay. Sure enough, Izar was standing outside, wearing his usual smile.

Ah. That's what felt missing.

"Tell me what?" Zanna asked with a tilt of her head.

In response, Feray simply activated the mailbox. To her surprise, there was a note inside.

Feray: Okay. Best, Bentley.

His message is even shorter! Feray thought to herself, somehow surprised at the fact. Nevertheless, after a brief sigh, she explained to Zanna what the mailbox was about.

Cooperatively, Zanna gasped. "And you set that up?" she asked leaning forward to see Izar from the window.

"I did," Izar confirmed.

"But why are you at the window and not coming through the door?" Zanna asked again.

"Just a little interest of ours," he answered with a slightly mischievous grin. "Isn't that right, dearie?"

"I...guess?" Feray answered. "Then...what are you doing here?"

He handed her the wristwatch she had given him previously. "You can use it now," he explained briefly. "I'm a busy man, dearie—even if I want to pay you a visit, I can't do that every day."

"Well, I know that."

"Izar!" Zanna suddenly perked up, though she kept her distance from him. To Feray, this was quite unexpected, as Zanna always seemed to like to lean as closely as she could when speaking with others about something she was excited about. "Today is Feray's birthday. Is that why you came?"

"How could I have known that it's her birthday?" Izar retorted. "I came only for the watch. The sooner you get it back, the better. Isn't that so?"

Bentley: The day is over. Zanna brought a lot of food in the morning and spent the whole day with us. She also decided that she'd spend the night here, which is why she's in bed next to me now as I write. You really don't have a lot of room here, but it's just enough. Best, Feray.

Feray: I see. That sounds like you had fun then. Though—she ditched Grandma just to spend the night with you? Best, Bentley.

Bentley: She said Grandma called her friends over for a drink...Best, Feray.

Feray: ?! Best, Bentley.

Bentley: Yep, that's what she said. Didn't you know? Best, Feray.

Feray: Not at all, no. Well...well. Their whole family is rather unique, I guess. Best, Bentley.

Bentley: Now that I think of it—when's your birthday? We haven't heard you talk about yourself that much, I apologize for that. Best, Feray.

Feray: Tomorrow, actually. More accurately, it would be now. Look at the clock. Best, Bentley.

Feray glanced at the clock. She was sitting at the desk, and Zanna had returned to her position in bed, which was right next to the desk. Waylon's room was of a similar design.

"What is it?" Zanna asked.

"Bentley said to look at the clock...oh, it's just past midnight."

"What about it?"

"It's his birthday, apparently." She sighed.

"He could have said so sooner!"

"I know, right?"

Bentley: Happy birthday, then. Does that make me the first person to say it this year? Best, Feray.

Feray: Thanks, and yes. I don't think Zanna knows either. Best, Bentley.

Bentley: She didn't. She looked kind of shocked just now when I told her. Hey, open the curtains. Best, Feray.

Feray: I opened the curtains. What am I looking for? Best, Bentley.

Bentley: If I remember right, you should be able to see the moon from that room. I'm in your old room, and I can see it from here too. Do you think we see the same thing? Best, Feray.

Feray: Hm...I think the moon on your side might be a little clearer. Here, everything is too bright outside—you know, with the lights and all. Why? Best, Bentley.

Bentley: Nothing. It just feels a little closer to home when I know we're looking at the same thing, even if we are technically living a world apart. Best, Feray.