A party huh. I’ve never been to a party before, not even when I was little. I had no friends, but my sister had birthday parties at our house a few times but nothing too fancy. I don’t know to expect since my sister’s birthday parties were all when she was young… As she got older, she stopped having birthday parties and starting going out for her celebration.

“Talli what should we do? We didn’t get Yosh a birthday present.” Sparky whines.

“Just give him money, he can buy something he really wants..” Talli answers.

“But that’s so boring! Let’s go shopping!” Sparky smiles, “Ori wanna go shopping?”

“Uh…Um…Sure!” I answer.

I’m working on being more adventurous and pushing myself out of my comfort zone like my therapist suggested. Normally I would say no way to a party and definitely no way to shopping. I go shopping maybe twice a year, it makes me anxious making decisions and being in crowded stores. But if I don’t get out of my comfort zone I’ll be alone forever...

“See Ori wants to go!” Sparky says making puppy eyes at Talli.

Talli sighs, “Okay, whatever. We can’t go many places; the party starts at 8pm and is at the Thorns night club.”

A night party? At a night club? I’ve never experienced either of those things. I’m kind of scared, night clubs on tv look scary… Maybe I should back out. I can always use ‘the I’m sick’ excuse…

“Okay, okay. Then let’s get going soon!” Sparky smiles.

We all get dressed and head out.

“We will have to walk to the bus station and catch a bus into town.” Talli says as me and Sparky follow.

We walk for a few minutes and sit on a bench to wait for the bus.

“Do you know anything Yosh wants?” Sparky questions.

“I have no idea… Anything will be fine, it’s the thought that counts.” Tallius says rubbing his hands together.

Not for long and the bus arrives. We all three pile onto the bus and Tallius looks at the bus route.

“We can go to this shopping mall, it’s close to Thorns so we won’t need to drive there.” Tallius points on the map.

“That’s okay” Sparky giggles, “if it’s at 8pm, how are we gonna get back to campus? This bus stops running early.”

“That’s a god question, I’ll make Kiyoshi pay for the cab fee.” Tallius says looking at the map.

“But he’s the birthday boy!” Sparky grunts.

“Exactly it’s his fault.” Tallius smiles.

Eh? Is Tallius smiling? As I stare at him his smile fades and he look away quickly. I look away quickly as well.

“Why didn’t you come to Pond for the first term Ori?” Sparky questions.

“I-I needed more time to make a decision…” I answer.

And because I don’t like warm weather. The first term starts in April until July, which is super hot. I decided that starting during the second term during September through December would be best for me.

“Ah, I see. I’m glad you decided to come! Let’s make this the best first year…last year of high school for you!” Sparky cheers.

“Thank you… I’m glad I chose Pond as well; it seems like a good and fun school.” I smile awkwardly.

After some minutes we arrive at our stop and step off the bus. We walk into the mall and begin to look around. Should I buy him something too? I know we just met but I feel rude if I don’t get him something…

“Let’s go here! This shop has cool shirts.” Sparky skips over to the shop, “look at this one. It’s totally cool!”

Tallius nods, “That looks more like your own style though…”

“Hmm. You’re right! Should I buy two so we can be matching?” Sparky asks holding up two shirts.

“Ahh… If you think he will like it.” Tallius cringes.

“You’re no help Talli!” Sparky grumbles, “Ori what do you think?”

“I…I think it’s cute.” I lie.

Sparky’s face lights up, “See I told you! Should I buy three so we can all match? Or four?”

“No no no! You don’t have to do that!” I exclaim.

“Ah, okay then.” Sparky smiles.

Sparky walks over to the counter and pays for the shirts.

“Talli, do you wanna go to another shop? We have time to waste.” Sparky smiles.

“sure” we answer in unison.

“Let’s go to that one” Sparky answers pointing to a stationary shop.

Ah, my favorite! The two times I go out are shopping are for places like this and to buy new clothes when mine are in tatters.

We follow Sparky into the shop and I immediately start looking at different things. I know what I would like as a present but I have no idea what to get Kiyoshi. Sparky is currently rummaging through discount stickers and Tallius is idly standing around slightly looking around next to me.

“Hey, um. Talli, what does Kiyoshi like? I want to get him something…” I ask.

“You really don’t have to. He’s likes this kind of stuff though.” Tallius says flicking keychains.

“Ah, okay!” I smile.

I stand next to Talli and look through the keychains. They’re cheap so it’s not a huge present but it’s a little something to show him I care and want to be his friend. I pick out a squishy rabbit one that looks cute.

I hold up the keychain to Talli, “Would he like this one?”

“Yeah probably, he doesn’t have one like that yet.” He answers, “want me to buy it?”

“Eh? No I can get it.” I say sharply and go over to the register and pay.

Somehow in that short timespan Sparky also picked out some things and bought them.