As the seasons changed, a year passed, and life subtly shifted for Star and his friends. Star had come a long way — he wasn't the same fearful, awkward boy who once trembled at the sight of strangers. While he still wasn't entirely comfortable around new people, his fear had dulled into a quiet nervousness, and he could now hold short conversations without freezing or panicking. His friends noticed the change, proud of the progress he had made.
But it wasn't just Star who was evolving — all of them were chasing their dreams, their lives slowly taking shape.
Henry, with his incredible artistic talent, was selected for an artist role in a well-known company. His drawings, once just simple sketches shown to his friends, had grown more intricate and expressive. Star had always admired his art but now saw it recognized by others too. Henry often joked that one day he'd draw something so realistic it would "walk off the canvas."
May had gained a reputation in town for her mesmerizing magic tricks. What started as simple sleight-of-hand tricks shown to Star during quiet nights at his house now drew crowds at local events. People adored her flair for the dramatic — she could make a coin disappear or seemingly pull a flower out of thin air, all while keeping a bright, confident smile. Star once asked her if it was real magic, to which she laughed and said, "It's all about making people believe in a little wonder. I am not a real magician like you."
Luna's passion for music had also found its wings. Her hard work paid off when she earned a spot in a youth music program, slowly building her reputation. She spent her days practicing guitar, singing softly at Star's house while he listened, sometimes giving simple feedback — "It sounds... warmer," or "It feels... sad." His words, though few, meant the world to Luna, who saw him as her older brother. Star and the others even attended one of her small performances, watching with pride as her voice echoed through the town square, drawing claps and cheers from the crowd.
Kade's wild energy had a purpose now — he had been selected for the town's soccer team. His speed, agility, and love for the sport made him a natural choice. He often dragged Star to practice matches, tossing a ball at him and yelling, "Just kick it!" Star, still clumsy, wasn't great at soccer, but Kade didn't mind. "You don't have to be good — just have fun," he'd say, a wide grin on his face.
Eric had enrolled in law school, aiming to become a lawyer. Even though he was silent and an experimenter, he observed injustice all throughout his life and was serious about justice, wanting to defend those who couldn't defend themselves.
He still visited Star, bringing books from the library, though now they were mostly about law — thick, complicated volumes that made Star's head spin. "Don't worry," Eric once said with a smirk, "you don't have to read them. Just know the law exists." It definitely came as a shock to everyone, Eric aiming to become a lawyer.
Gem's love for nature had blossomed into something bigger when he got selected by a wildlife program for his breathtaking photography. He'd often wander into forests, capturing moments — a bird mid-flight, a quiet deer grazing, or the sun spilling through the trees — and show Star the pictures afterward. "See this?" he'd say, pointing to a shot of a river at sunset. "This is life — always moving, always changing."
Nia, with her gentle and caring nature, had decided to become a cook. She was now preparing for culinary school, experimenting with recipes and sometimes using Star's house as her test kitchen. Star tasted all sorts of dishes — some sweet, some spicy, and some so strange that he didn't know what to say. Nia would just laugh softly and tell him, "Honest reactions are the best feedback."
And Lila, confident and radiant, had set her sights on becoming a model. She was slowly building a portfolio, practicing poses and looks. Star didn't understand modeling at first, but Lila explained it's not just about beauty — it's about confidence, expression, and storytelling through fashion. "It's like magic without the tricks," she told him. "It's about making people feel something."
Despite their growing dreams and busy lives, no one forgot Star. They still rotated staying at his house, keeping him company during the nights.
Luna, still without a permanent home, lived with Star full-time, filling the house with music and her constant chatter about her music program.
The others would visit — some in the morning to drag him outside to town, others at night to chat, laugh, and share their days.
Even as they pursued their own paths, they never left him behind. Star wasn't alone anymore — he had a family now.
It hit him during an unexpected moment — a day when Star fell ill. It wasn't anything life-threatening, but the fever left him weak and disoriented.
He had grown used to his friends always being there, so his first instinct was to reach out. He asked for their help, expecting the usual flood of support, but the responses were... different this time.
Henry was in the middle of an important meeting for his art projects.
May was preparing for a big show and couldn't leave her rehearsals.
Eric was caught up with his law studies and court internships.
Kade had a crucial practice match for his team.
Gem was out in the wilderness for his wildlife program.
Nia was busy with a cooking event.
Lila was at a photo shoot for her modeling portfolio.
There was no news of Jack.
The replies came with a certain coldness — not cruel, but distant. Some of them sounded a little annoyed, apologizing but firmly stating they couldn't come right away.
For the first time in a long while, Star felt... alone again. A familiar ache crept into his heart, a painful whisper of the isolation he once knew. His mind spiraled — Were they getting tired of him? Were they too busy for him now? Had he misunderstood their friendship all along?
But then there was Luna.
She didn't hesitate — she stayed. Even though she had her music program, she put it aside for the day, placing a cold cloth on Star's forehead, making him drink water, and humming softly as she always did. "Don't worry, Star," she whispered. "I'm here."
And then, a few hours later, someone showed up — Jack.
"I couldn't just sit around knowing you were sick," he said, his voice firm but kind. "I know we all have our lives, but... you're my friend. You're family. And well sorry I was stuck in a tricky situation and couldn't get out. Was almost getting caught by the cops."
It didn't end there. Slowly, as the hours passed, the others started arriving too.
Henry came right after his meeting, still carrying his sketchpad.
May rushed in, slightly breathless from her practice.
Eric showed up during a study break.
Kade arrived after his match, still in his uniform.
Gem returned from the forest earlier than planned.
Nia brought homemade soup, her apron still dusted with flour.
Lila came right after her photo shoot, makeup still on but her eyes worried.
They didn't abandon him. It wasn't that they didn't care — it was just that life sometimes demanded their attention elsewhere.
Some of them even apologized.
"Sorry I couldn't come sooner," Henry muttered.
"I didn't mean to sound annoyed earlier," May added softly.
"We just... we have stuff going on too," Eric explained.
And Star slowly realized something important: their moments of coldness or distance weren't about him. It wasn't personal.
They still cared, they still loved him but they had their own dreams and struggles to handle.
It was a painful, yet necessary, lesson for him.
He was learning that friendships didn't mean constant presence — it meant trust. Trust that even when they weren't around, the bond remained.
As he lay there that night, with Luna resting against the couch and the others chatting quietly around him, Star felt something new — not just the warmth of friendship but the maturity of understanding.
They were his friends, his family — but they were also people with their own paths to walk.
Another year passed...
Star's circle of friends, once nine had now reduced to seven.
The first to drift away was Gem. His photography career took off, and with a better income and rising recognition, he seemed to become a different person.
He no longer visited Star's house, no longer responded to messages, and when the group tried to talk to him, he brushed them off with polite excuses.
What hurt Star the most wasn't just the absence — it was the avoidance.
There was one incident where Star saw Gem in town, surrounded by colleagues and fans. When Star and the others tried to approach him, Gem pretended not to know them. He forced a smile for the crowd, keeping his distance as if acknowledging them would somehow damage his reputation.
Then there was Lila.
Her modeling career flourished, and as she gained popularity, she began cutting ties with anyone she thought would "hold her back." She stopped responding to Star's attempts to stay connected, and when May confronted her, Lila coldly said that keeping in touch with "old friends" was just a waste of time.
For Star, it was a painful echo of his master's words — "Friends are only temporary. They leave when it suits them."
The betrayal weighed on him.
_ _ _
One evening, as the remaining seven friends gathered in his home, Star sat in silence, his head lowered.
"Maybe the master was right," he finally muttered. "Maybe... people really do leave when they don't need you anymore."
But Kade was quick to respond. "That's not true, Star," he said firmly. "Yeah, some people leave — but not everyone. We're still here."
May added softly, "People change, but that doesn't mean every friend you make will abandon you. It hurts, but you have to learn this — not everyone is meant to stay in your life forever."
Luna took his hand. "We're your family, Star. Even if they left, we didn't."
It wasn't easy, but slowly, Star began to understand. Losing friends didn't mean he was destined to be alone again.
Then, Kade brought up something unexpected — a job.
"Star, you've got magic. Real magic," Kade said. "Why not use it for something good? Something that helps people?"
Star hesitated. "But... it's black magic," he replied, his voice low. "It's not meant to help anyone."
That's when Henry chimed in. "Black magic is just a tool, Star. It depends on how you use it. You're not your Master — you control it now."
Still unsure, Star asked, "But how... how do I use it for good?"
Eric leaned forward, a thoughtful look in his eyes. "We can be creative with it. You can use your magic to find lost things — like tracking spells. Or help people get rid of curses and hexes. There are tons of people in town who'd pay for that kind of help."
The idea sparked something in Star. It wasn't about his magic being dark or light — it was about his intentions.
Over the next four months, with Eric's ideas and the group's support, Star slowly built a reputation in town as someone who could solve mystical problems.
He used his magic to break minor curses placed on people's homes or belongings.
He crafted protective charms for those who felt uneasy about supernatural events.
He helped a family find a lost heirloom by tracking its magical energy.
He even assisted in banishing lingering dark energy from a shop that locals believed was haunted.
At first, people were skeptical. Star still had a hard time talking to strangers, and his reputation as a "quiet, awkward guy" lingered. But the results spoke louder than his hesitation.
Word spread — not about Star the ex-servant of a dark master — but about Star, the mysterious yet kind sorcerer who helped people.
With every successful job, Star gained more confidence.
He wasn't just surviving anymore — he was living.
And the money wasn't bad either.
His once-empty house now had little signs of his newfound stability — a better bed, a few decorations that his friends brought him, and even a small shelf of books (thanks to Eric).
Though the scars of Gem and Lila's betrayal still lingered, Star was learning another crucial lesson: losing some people doesn't mean losing everyone.
His circle might have gotten smaller but the bonds he had left were stronger than ever.