A lot of time passed since the dream with the orb, I couldn't get it out of my mind. It was a beautiful dream, but I had no idea what it meant.
Also, Dad lied. He still didn't want me to go to kindergarten. I asked him every single day, eventually even Mom started 'asking'.
He gave up on October 3rd. My first day of kindergarten.
[Sunshine Sprouts Kindergarten, Havok, Monday, 8:00 AM, October 3rd, 2015]
Once I met the head-teacher there, I was sort of left to my own devices in the playroom, where a bunch of the kids were.
Feeling shy and awkward, I spun on a swivel chair quietly until a hand tapped my shoulder.
It was a kid my age, with black eyes, long black hair tied in three distinct ponytails, each hair tie holding his hair together was different, from left to right it was red, green and blue. He had a dark leather jacket on and a simple black t-shirt underneath it. Also some dark jeans.
???: "Hey! Come play with us! You look lonely over here."
I looked at him with a raised eyebrow and hopped off the chair.
James Karawei: "Uh... Hi. Why do you have ponytails? I thought they were for girls."
The moment I asked that question, I felt someone running up behind me, and I ducked on instinct.
It was a girl that tried to tackle me but ended up bumping into this kid.
She stood back up and looked at me as if I had offended her. She also looked my age, she had purple eyes, black hair tied up into one big ponytail held up by a blue hair tie. She was wearing a blue sundress with sunflower patterns on it.
???: "How dare you! Ponytails aren't just for girls! Don't be mean about his hair, dummy! Moron. Hmph."
She scoffed and turned away, arms crossed, and the boy from earlier just laughed and shook his head.
Jack Daniels: "Don't worry about her, she's like that with everyone... I'm Jack Daniels! Nice to meet you!"
He extended a hand in greeting, and I promptly shook it.
James Karawei: "I'm James Karawei, why DO you have three ponytails though?"
Jack Daniels: "Oh, it's just I don't like cutting my hair, so I learned to tie my hair and stuff. No biggie."
The girl from earlier suddenly pushed Jack out of the way and came to shake my hand, then crossed her arms again.
Cathy Ariston: "I'm Cathy Ariston, and I helped him tie his ponytails this morning! I also made this grumpy cat drawing! Not that you care... Weirdos!"
She pointed to a piece of paper glued to the wall, it did have a grumpy looking cat on it.
James Karawei: "Ariston... As in Ariston Industries? You must be rich then..."
She put both hands on my cheeks and grunted, shaking my head from side to side.
Cathy Ariston: "How dare you! Where did you hear that from?! You..."
Jack suddenly pulled me away by the sleeve of my shirt, and Cathy trailed behind, still looking grumpy and irritated, mumbling under her breath.
Jack Daniels: "You might not want to talk about her family, she doesn't like that."
We kept walking.
James Karawei: "Why is that?"
Jack Daniels: "I don't know, I wouldn't If I were you."
I decided not to pry further.
We reached the corner of the playroom and saw a girl playing with a train set. She had yellow eyes and long blonde hair tied up in a ponytail... Apparently that was the style here. She wore a yellow t-shirt with a bee on it and black pants.
Jack Daniels: "James, meet Jasmine, Jasmine meet James! We're gonna play Cops and Robbers together, and we need a good cop! I'll be a robber, of course." He grinned and pointed at himself smugly.
Jasmine Olson: "Heya! You look confused... Don't worry, I don't bite! I'm Jasmine Olson! You can call me Jazzie, Jamie~" She said, extending a hand to me, which I shook.
The girl then got up and ran over to the other side of the room. Jack followed... Only Cathy stayed behind to glare at me.
James Karawei: "Sorry... I've never had friends before or talked to people other than my family for this long."
Cathy's eyes softened slightly at my words, and her hands dropped to her sides. She got closer to me and still tried to fake a pout while extending her arms out as if she was offering a hug.
Cathy Ariston: "W-well... Don't be stupid, we're friends now... Let's talk about it! My dad kind of sucks too!"
And that's how I met them, my four good friends... We spent a lot of time together from that moment onwards, playing, talking, getting into trouble with the grownups.
I found out where each of them lived.
Jasmine lived in Darrilyn, her father is from Taured and her mother is Ryomanian so this is more of a secondary house for them. She lived somewhere on the other side of the town at the other edge of The Redwoods, a large forest in Darrilyn which consisted of red trees, bark and leaves, both red.
Cathy lived in Havok in a house somewhere in the suburban district, I took Jack's advice and didn't talk with her too much about her personal life unless she decided to share. All I understood is it was a two-story house and it was near a pizzeria.
Jack also lived in Havok, in the rich district with all the mansions... I soon found out his family is outrageously rich, they owned a large corporation and various other smaller companies.
And I lived in Darrilyn, which is where we all met up and hung out. Jack was sent to this kindergarten by his family so he could experience the countryside, Cathy was sent here due to family issues.
They taught me so much about enjoying life and I grew up around them.
We ran every day around town, stole apples, and swore we'd never grow up.
But time had other plans.
[Outskirts of Havok, Thursday, 6:47 PM, May 7th, 2020]
A whole five years had passed since I met them, and we've been through a lot together. Getting into all sorts of trouble.
They were the ones who helped me get out of the house more and break down my parents' rules. They even helped me gain enough confidence to explore the whole town, Darrilyn, and sometimes near the outskirts of the city.
Which is where we were headed at this time.
I was walking alongside them as we were approaching the city of Havok. My parents were already waiting by the car up ahead on the road. It was my last day here before leaving the country.
My parents have been planning this trip for the past 2 years, and we were headed for the country of Taured, where Aunt Lara was living.
My Aunt and Uncle moved there when both of my parents were younger for the same financial problems we have now.
There were better business opportunities there; being a mortician in Ryomania wasn't paying well since the population kept rising. More born than dead. Which was good overall, just not for my parents.
And obviously, them also being farmers didn't help much, so the plan was to move to Taured for a while... maybe five years and then return rich, in theory. Reno was also working overseas and sending us money, but she didn't get the position she thought she'd have and she couldn't necessarily send us more than two thousand Dracos a month.
(Dracos being the main currency of Ryomania, representing the old monarchy and the myths about dragons)
I kept my head down as I kept walking alongside my friends, and the sun was already faded over the horizon. I was just deep in thought.
Jasmine poked my shoulder as she was on my right side, she was always the social butterfly.
Jasmine Olson: "Jamie... You're so quiet, something on your mind, handsome?~"
I snapped out of it and glanced around, suddenly stopping. I looked behind me to notice the golden wheat fields in the distance, and my house could faintly be seen.
James Karawei: "Huh? Oh... sorry, I was just thinking. It's nothin—"
Cathy suddenly threw a rock at me and went over to lean against the fence by the side of the road (they were put in place to stop small animals getting into the fields).
Cathy Ariston: "What's wrong, dumbass? Stop acting all nostalgic and keep walking! You have a ride to catch, remember?"
I rubbed my head and looked towards the wheat fields again.
James Karawei: "Sorry! Ow... Um... I was just thinking about when I met all of you... How much we've been through, my head feels kind of weird. Oh, but not from the rock. Like Deja Vú but weirder? I dunno."
I trailed off in thought as my legs started moving on their own, already walking ahead. Cathy quickly hopped off the fence and followed behind, sighing. Jack reached over from the left to put a hand on my shoulder.
Jack Daniels: "Look, it's not your fault we broke Old Lady Dana's windows... I told Jasmine not to kick the ball at me, and well... you know her. Plus, Cathy wasn't being a good goalie."
He shot Cathy a glance while smirking. She threw another rock at him, but he ducked just in time, laughing.
I glance between the two of them and put my hands in my pockets.
James Karawei: "No... It's the fact that I'm leaving for Taured, I guess. It feels so sudden. I don't think I'm ready to leave you guys."
Jasmine squeaked and threw her arms around me in a hug, Cathy shuffled closer, her arms dropping to her sides.
Jasmine Olson: "Aww, well, aren't you sweet? We'll miss you too, Jamie... But don't feel too bad, you'll get to see my homeland before I do! That must be a bonus, huh?~"
The second Jasmine let go of the hug Cathy snuck up behind me and grabbed both of my shoulders as we kept walking. She didn't say anything.
Jack Daniels: "My sister sent me a postcard from Taured once. The only thing on it was the price tag." He said while kicking a rock away onto the other side of the road.
Cathy snorted and let go of my shoulders, she moved past and elbowed Jack, suddenly walking ahead of us and turning around, looking at me as she began walking backwards.
Cathy Ariston: "Don't worry, James, I'm sure we'll see you again one day. Plus, it's not like you won't be able to call or anything... And you'll only be there until your parents have enough money! That's like... what, 5 to 8 years?"
She slowed her pace again.
James Karawei: "5 years. And it is a long time... But what is Taured even known for anyway?" I asked, matching their strides.
Jack Daniels: "It's a city on water, dude, what more do you want to know?" He also slowed down, the four of us walking side-by-side.
Jasmine Olson: "By the way, wasn't your sister getting a job or something? Why even move at all?" She asked, nudging my shoulder.
Cathy Ariston: "It's a... good job, and it's better if his parents are working too. Ariston Industries controls Havok's economy after all, making Reno's job a big deal." She spat the words out, tasting bitter on her tongue.
We eventually reached the car, and Jack suddenly took the bags from me and threw them at my parents. My dad luckily caught both.
Alexander Karawei: "What a strong boy you've become, Jack! Thanks for helping out, I'll make sure to remind James to call all of you rascals."
He opened the door for me. I looked back at my friends, my right hand already on the car door.
James Karawei: "I'll miss you guys, thanks for... being cool and for everything, I guess! I promise to return in five years!"
I smiled genuinely and turned to them, Jack came up to me, shook my hand, and nodded. No words needed.
Jasmine hugged me, however briefly, and smiled.
Cathy... stood there, arms crossed. Looking away into the Redwoods on the other side of the road. Her hands started shaking, and there was a tremble in her voice.
Cathy Ariston: "Goodbye, dumbass, don't cry too much when you think of us..."
She slowly turned her head to meet my gaze and then suddenly turned away towards the Red Woods, her hands balled into fists.
Cathy Ariston: "Ugh! Whatever... Stupid James, stupid trip... Stupid car..."
She didn't look back.
She muttered to herself and started walking past the car and further up the road. Jack followed after her.
Jack Daniels: "Cathy, what kind of goodbye is that?!—"
His voice cut off as he ran after her. Jasmine chuckled as she leaned against the car, watching the two of them argue in the distance.
Jasmine Olson: "I'll keep an eye on them Jamie, we'll all miss you very much. I'll also take care of the house as promised."
She nodded confidently and smirked, walking towards Jack and Cathy.
My mom tapped my shoulder to get my attention.
Eleanor Karawei: "Don't mind Cathy, sweetie, I've known that girl since she was just a little bean sprout; doesn't mean she doesn't care."
My mom then pulled me into a hug, suddenly letting go and pushing me into the back of the car.
James Karawei: "Agh! Mom! Stop being uncool..."
She laughed and hopped into the passenger seat. Dad got in front. I rolled down my window to look at Jasmine one more time.
James Karawei: "Hey Jazzie? I trust you... Okay? You know where the key is. Don't go snooping around in my room..."
Jasmine Olson: "Yeah, yeah, while I'm at it, I can steal your crops too!"
She chuckled and came up to the window, booping my nose.
Jasmine Olson: "I know. Don't worry. And make sure to have a safe trip!"
"Safe trip", the last words I heard from her as Dad started driving away. The engine was rumbling; it was an old sedan, and it was loud.
I looked back and saw Cathy heading North into the Red Woods after arguing with Jack. Arms still crossed and still not looking my way—Or at least the car's way. My guess is she knew I'd look at them one last time.
Jack then stopped and turned to wave towards the car, after that he started walking South into the wheat fields. He always knew where the best shortcuts were. Heck, I'm pretty sure he knew the entire layout of the city, the town, AND the nearby farms outside of Darrilyn further up south.
He always liked taking long walks and he had the freedom to do it too, he was brave.
He took a shortcut to get into the suburbs of the city. Right near the subway station.
Jasmine just turned back west, heading towards my farm. She was the only one who lived close by anyway. She had an argument with her parents, which got her kicked out of the house... But that's a story for another time. So the plan was for her to basically live in our house for five years. Not sure if that's even legal, but we all agreed on it.
As for me and my family? We went East. The Country On Water, Taured.