I rushed over, pouting slightly. "Grandpa for the last time you don't have to leave."

"No, I'm just gonna be cramping your style," he insisted, zipping up his coat.

"Impossible."

"Yeah for that to happen we would need to have some sort of style, to begin with," Zola quipped from her place near the television. Grandpa laughed but still made his way to the door.

I followed him, swinging my arms as I sighed. "This is sucky, it will be the first year we don't celebrate my birthday together."

"That already happened, you know, two weeks ago," Azar pointed out.

I turned my head sharply, waving his comment away. "Quiet you," I snapped. "It's tradition! We take a photo in the orchard and then have dinner."

"What, you never have a party with your schoolgirl friends?" Casimir asked, walking in from the kitchen with a bag of ice. Zola burst out laughing, nearly doubling over in a fit of giggles. Sunita was also suppressing some giggles of her own, sitting primly on the edge of the couch next to Maayan. I felt my face flush red at his comment, mostly because of Zola's reaction.

"Oh my god, say that again," Zola begged between peels of laughter.

"No, never say it again!" I retorted.

Zola let out a cough, wiping the tears away from her eyes in a delicate fashion. "Come on, it's cute, he sounds like a little old man."

"And that's my cue," Grandpa muttered, reaching to open the front door.

I reached over to grab the handle so I could stop it from turning. "Noooo!"

"We can still have dinner together dear, another day," Grandpa said, placing his hand on my shoulder. "Please don't worry about me, just have a good time with your friends. I feel bad you had to miss out on all your fun at the harvest festival."

"Ugh, don't remind me."

Grandpa gave me a quick kiss on my cheek and ran out the door. I could hear the truck start up and knew he was gone. I walked back over to the couch to find Zola trying to bribe Casimir into saying 'schoolgirl' again.

"Please say it again, I will give you five dollars, right now," she teased, chuckling as she spoke.

Casimir crossed his arms over his chest, sighing slightly. "Okay, it was a slip of the tongue can we just..."

"Casimir is an old soul, he can't help it," Maya piped in.

Zola took a moment to stare at the young man standing before her, pausing as she took in his appearance of jeans, sneakers, and a long-sleeve thermal.

"Hm, that is true," she conceded, adjusting her glasses as she spoke. "He does seem older than his years."

"What about me?" Azar asked, smiling coyly.

"You seem like a normal teenage boy," I scoffed, leaning against the arm of the couch.

"Ouch," Azar responded, grabbing dramatically at his heart.

"Azar is much nicer than the other boys," Sunita piped in, causing us all to look over at her. The young girl's face flushed brightly at the attention and she looked down into her lap.

"See, Sunita knows the truth," Azar said, directing his comment at me. Sunita glanced up at Azar and he gave her a wink, causing her to make a small 'eep' noise.

"Azar is super sweet!" Maya agreed, jumping up from the couch. The lunar fairy seemed like they were moving in for one of their trademark hugs but instead leaped skillfully onto Azar's back, clinging to him like a koala bear.

Azar reached out his hands to support Maya's legs, grumbling slightly. "Ugh, you're heavy Maya."

"No, I'm not," they insisted. "So let's go!"

"Where are we going?" Azar asked flatly, resigned to his fate.

"Outside for our walk in the orchard right?" Maya stated, glancing over at me for approval.

"Sounds good," I said, laughing at the sight of them

Azar began to walk, heading towards the front door. "I'm not carrying you the whole way,"

"Boo."

"Well, that settles it then. We're going on our walk, chop-chop people! " Zola shouted, following Azar towards the front door. She grabbed Sunita's hand, pulling her along as she passed.

"Yay!" I called out, jumping up to go grab my coat and scarf.

We all got dressed in our outerwear, shuffling outside to enjoy the cool autumn afternoon. Leisurely we began walking towards the orchard, chatting happily as we went. The apple trees weren't much to look at in November with most of the fruit and leaves gone, but I wasn't going to let this tradition pass.

"Sorry my idea of a party is so boring," I apologized loudly, as we stomped our way down the hill and into the orchard. Casimir opened the gate for everyone and I glanced at him. He was still avoiding my gaze. I made a face as he walked away quickly, moving to stroll next to Azar, who was still carrying Maayan on his back.

I saw Zola shrug as she looked around, glancing at a bird flying across the sky. "Hey, I get it, a nice walk to unwind, especially after the past few weeks. Remember I'm the one who likes nature over here."

"I guess," I sniffed, smiling at her.

"Let's race!" Maya shouted, jumping down from Azar's back. The lunar fairy began to trot ahead, waving at us to follow.

"This is supposed to be a walk," Azar countered.

Maayan just laughed and took off running. "I'm winning!"

I heard Azar scoff loudly, as he slapped Casimir on the shoulder. "We'll see about that. Come on Casimir we're racing."

"Seriously?" Casimir asked, as Azar took off running, quickly catching up with Maayan, who I suspected wasn't running as fast as they could. "We're seriously doing this..." Casimir muttered, glancing back at us apologetically. He took off, easily matching pace with the other Terrarins. I let out a loud laugh as they disappeared down the road.

"Boys," Zola scoffed.

"And Maya," I added.

"And Maya," Zola amended.

"I think it's nice that they are all so close," Sunita said, blushing slightly.

"It is kinda sweet," Zola admitted.

"It's something," I added, shaking my head slowly.

Zola raised her arms up, turning around so she could face both myself and Sunita. "Okay gossip time," she announced with a loud clap of her hands. "Please tell me what is up with you and Casimir."

"Whaaaat? Nothing," I gulped, glancing around wildly. I had no idea how Zola always picked up on this stuff. My friend's eyes narrowed as she looked at me, surveying me behind her deep blue glasses. I felt my face flush under her intense gaze. "Is it that obvious?"

"Only from space," she stated.

"You're exaggerating," I groaned.

"He does seem out of sorts," Sunita said with a small tilt of her head.

Zola stuck her arm out, gesturing over toward Sunita. "See, even Sunita noticed!"

"I'm very observant," she replied dryly. "You know this."

"Yeah, rude," I remarked. I glanced around, making sure Casimir or the others were nowhere nearby before I spoke. "What exactly have we all observed?"

"The longing stares, the halting stops in conversation. The fact that he refuses to stand anywhere near you," Zola listed.

I laughed dryly, stuffing my hands into my jacket pockets. "What, like he would stand so close before?"

"Girl, please."

"He does also seem nervous," Sunita observed, "but perhaps he's worried about the trial or things at school?"

"Zachary's trial won't be 'til forever," Zola started with a wave of her hand, "but how much you wanna bet his daddy will just make it all just go away."

"That would be a stretch," Sunita murmured quietly.

"I'm sorry, do you not watch the news? Do you not see how many rich white boys get off with little to no consequences for their crimes? The justice system is a travesty."

"God honestly, I don't really want it to go to trial," I moaned. I wasn't sure I wanted to tell my friends just yet that I was taking Zachary's money and letting the whole situation drop. I couldn't explain to them the ordeal with the wraith and they would never believe Zachary had turned a new leaf, just like that. Especially not after everything he had done. Maybe that's why he doesn't want to go back to school, I wondered.

"Well, we've got your back whenever it does happen," Zola added, giving me a thumbs up.

"Yes," Sunita confirmed, with an enthusiastic nod.

I stopped for a moment, realizing that we could no longer see Casimir and the others. I squinted, looking off into the distance for any sign of them.

"How far are they going to go?" Sunita asked, sighing slightly.

"They'll probably stop when they hit the mountain," Zola said with a dry chuckle.

I stood there, silent for a moment, pondering my options. I knew if I wanted to tell them it was now or never, and I knew Zola wouldn't let up until I told her.

"Casimir and I kissed!" I blurted out. I covered my mouth, surprised at how loudly I said that.

"What?!" Zola screeched, stopping suddenly in her tracks. "Stop, no, wait, are you serious?"

I nodded, slowly, afraid to meet her eyes. I reached out with my talent, hoping she wouldn't be too upset. I could only feel excitement and surprise.

"Well don't stop there!" Zola insisted.

I looked up at her, my mouth agape. "I don't know what else to say,"

"Well, first and foremost, did you want him to?"

I paused at first, wanting to say no in a strange attempt to defend my character. I was usually the grumpy and unapproachable girl who didn't think much of boyfriends or romance. The words almost tumbled out of my mouth but I knew deep down inside that I would be telling a lie. The kiss may have started by accident but I most definitely wanted it to continue. The more time I spent around Casimir, the more I enjoyed his company. Maybe the whole bodyguard relationship was clouding my judgment but I couldn't deny how that kiss made me feel.

"Ugh, yes," I eventually responded, groaning as I clutched at my face in embarrassment.

"Why ugh?" Zola pressed, unconvinced.

I looked over at her, at a loss for words. "I dunno, just ugh."

"Was it a bad kiss?" Sunita queried politely.

"No, it was great," I spat out, my face hot. "I-I liked it."

Zola threw her arms up in the air, smiling broadly as she shouted. "Woot! Go, Team Casimir!"

I grabbed at her arms, shushing her. "What, no, no team anything. Put your arms down."

"What I was rooting for him. He's cute and you're cute. You'd be cute together."

"Stop saying cute."

"Fine, I was just thinking it was about time you got yourself out there," Zola reasoned. "That experience you had with Len just soured dating for you for too long."

I saw Sunita shaking her head at Zola, her brow furrowed. "That's not fair to Diana. Lenard was very creepy. He was one step away from stalking her."

"Ugh, I don't want to talk about Len," I said flatly.

Zola shot me a look, letting out a sharp huff. "Fair enough. So what happened? The kiss was great and then...?"

"Then we stopped?"

"But why is he avoiding you? Did you bite down too hard, knock your heads together?" Zola guessed, tilting her head as she spoke.

"What, no."

"Did your Grandfather catch you?" Sunita offered.

"Ooooh that would kill the mood for sure," Zola agreed.

"And probably also kills Casimir," I reasoned. "I don't think there would be a birthday party if Grandpa caught us kissing in bed."

Zola's jaw dropped open and she gripped me firmly by the shoulders. "In bed? Oh my gosh, my baby is growing up."

"No stop, aaargh," I groaned, pulling backward as she tried to hug me. Maayan's happy laugh broke through our conversation, causing the three of us to stop talking. We watched as the rest of our party returned from their race, chatting loudly as they walked.

"Who won?" Zola asked as soon as they were in earshot.

"Casimir!" Maya announced with a twirl.

"What does he win?" I joked, glancing over at him. Casimir placed his hand behind his head, seemingly embarrassed that he had won.

"How about the first picture with the birthday girl?" Zola offered, pulling out her phone and opening up the camera mode. "Gather around people, it is time for the commemorative photos."

(to be continued in Part 3)