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March 20, 2009

 It was my birthday. My 17th birthday. My father went missing on the day before my birthday and my mother didn't have the time to prepare for my birthday. She was busy working as a lawyer. I closed my books and put them in my bag, along with my pencil case. It was 9:07 pm. I got up from my chair and went downstairs.

 I walked towards the living room to the balcony, taking small steps. I opened the window of my balcony and went outside with my bare foot. I sat on a bench and rested my knees on my chest. I wrapped my arms around my legs and looked up at the starry skies. I remembered the exact time I made my wish. 9:10.

'One day... I want to have a friend... A friend that is always by my side... A friend that is a friend....'

I closed my eyes and finished my prayer. 'A friend that can help me fight...'

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Chapter 1: A Friend

 I staggered down the hallway with unwieldy textbooks stacked in my arms. I rushed to my locker, hearing murmurs from other people that were pointing at me. I ignored them and watched where I was going. 'Oh, look! It's that blondie geek!' I sighed and passed them, not saying a word. My locker was only a meter away. Just as I ran to it, CRASH!, I accidentally dropped my books on the floor.

 I mistakenly bumped into a boy. He had black, spiky hair. He was just about one foot taller than me. His eyes were cute, chocolate brown, and big. His skin was pure white, but a little tanned on the arms... Yet, it was perfect. I went down and picked up all my textbooks. He ducked to the floor and helped me. 'I'm so sorry,' he apologized with a gasp. I wasn't expecting the boy to take the blame on himself.

'I-It's okay... I should watch where I'm going next time... I'm the geek here.'

 I wasn't excepting the boy to take the blame on himself. We looked at each other, never leaving eye contact and stood up from the floor. He smiled at me and stacked the books on my arms.

'You're actually being nice to me?' I asked, scanning the boy to see if he was one of those "haters".

'What do you mean?'

'Like, no one has ever been this nice to me in school... If they were, it was only from a bet or a dare...'

'Oh, of course I'm not pretending. My name's Mike, I'm new here...'

'Oh, I-I'm Chester...'

 As soon as I noticed Mike was new, I thought of him leaving me as soon as he got to know me just like how the other new kids did. But, he didn't... Instead, he stayed and offered to be friendly.

'Look Chester, I'll help you put your things back in your locker. Can you help me find my classroom?'

 Without telling Mike my lock number, he just opened it like a genius. I settled my textbooks inside my locker and grabbed the ones I needed for first period. I slammed my locker and asked Mike which teacher he was with for first period. 'Mrs. Bentley,' he replied.

'Oh, I'm with her for first period too.'

'Alright. Can we sit together?'

'Sure.'

  Mike's smile made me so blissful. I guess it was the first smile someone has ever given me for real. I took the nearest seat as we entered in Mrs. Bentley's classroom. Mike took a seat next to me, as Mrs. Bentley entered in our classroom. She spotted Mike and smiled, walking towards his seat. The scent of her strong perfume caused me to sneeze.

'You must be our new student.'

'Yes, and you must be Mrs. Bentley.'

'Indeed. You may call me Talinda. That's what they call me here.'

'Alright, Talinda, you are a really beautiful teacher.'

'Why, thank you!'

Then, she looked at me.

'Is he your friend?' she asked me with a little giggle.

'Yes.'

'Alright, then. You two enjoy my class and Chester, I'm allowing you to stick your desk with Mike's for three days. You can help him, yeah?'

'Um... Yes, Talinda.'

'Good. You kids have fun!'

 She grinned and walked away to her desk. Mike looked at me, giggling. I giggle along and for the first time, I smiled at an actual person my age.

~.~.~

Lunch time.

I called Mike and invited him to eat with me, as he passed by my table.

'Hey Mike, wanna eat lunch with me?'

'Sure!' Mike put his tray next to mine and joined in, sitting next to me. Before Mike came, I sat with this kid named Brad. He never really spoke to me until then... After Mike sat next to me, Brad leaned on me and whispered, 'Is that your boyfriend?'

'No.' I retorted.

 He nodded and went back to eating his lunch. I rolled my eyes and looked at Mike. I watched as he stiffed the bun of his hamburger in his mouth. As he opened his mouth, he noticed my gaze and paused, never leaving my eyes. He put his food down and blushed. 'Is there something on my face?' He asked in a shy tone. I chuckled and shook my head.

'No. It's just that... I don't know... I was just watching you eat.'

'Oh. Okay. Should I consider that as you being creepy or...?' Mike laughed. I smiled.

'You can continue eating.'

 We laughed and giggled for no reason. Just looking at each other made us laugh.

~.~.~

 

 That day, after school, I asked Mike if he could hang out at my place so we could get to know each other. I didn't know why, but something about him made me like him even more. When nighttime came, I invited him to my balcony.

'What are you doing, Chester?'

'Just lookin' at the stars. Come on.'

 Mike smiled and sat next to me, moving himself close to my body. I continued looking at the stars.

'So, Mike. Where do you live?' I asked him, as he gazed into the dark skies.

'I don't live anywhere.' he replied, still looking at them.

'What?'

'I don't live anywhere.' he smiled, resting his head on my shoulder.

'Can I rest on your shoulder?' he asked.

'Sure.' I whispered, feeling my heart stop for a second.

 Forgetting about his answer on where he lived, I asked him more questions.

'Are your parents okay with you staying here? It's getting a little late... don't you need to go?'

'I don't have any parents.'

'What?'

'My parents don't exist.'

'Oh Mike, I-I'm sorry...'

'Its okay. I never met them anyway.'

'Oh... Well, when's your birthday?'

'I don't know.'

'You don't know?'

'Yes, I don't know.'

'Mike, how come you don't know your own birthday?'

Well... 'I don't know how old I am... I don't know where I was born... and I don't know how I was born...' he breathed out.

'Mike... Are you... serious? I don't know what to say... I feel so sorry...' I said, putting an arm over his shoulder.

 I brought him close to me, pulling him into a friendly hug. But, he wouldn't budge. 'You don't have to do that...', he whispered. 'I have to... I don't want you to get hurt or anything...' I whispered back, as I hugged him tighter.

But... there was something wrong with Mike...

His body was cold.

So cold...