I explained today’s events to both my parents. Cerila gave my mother an abridged version, but I decided against it. So instead, I told them everything from getting lost, fighting the boys, and meeting Cerila. I didn’t want to lie to my parents about something so trivial. Besides, there is a good chance they would find out anyway. And the best son in the world didn’t lie. 

Just withheld some truths, is all.

Of course, my mother was immediately worried about hearing that I got into a fight, and asked me if I was okay. I was fine, the other boys… not so much. My father seemed disappointed in me and I could see a hint of anger in his eyes, especially after explaining how I fought the boys. 

However, Cerila quickly moved in and smoothed things over with him immediately. She might not be able to hear conversations, but she looks pretty adept at reading the room.

I’d have to ask her later what she told him and thank her. I understood why my father would be upset. Hearing about your son getting in a fight probably makes any parent frustrated. Not to mention I could have at least tried to run and get help, but I chose to stay and fight instead. But I wasn’t willing to risk getting hit with a rogue spell. 

And in the process of fighting, I hurt one boy pretty badly and forced another to nearly succumb to mana sickness. But in all honesty, knowing what I know now, I would have done it again. Cerila was being targeted, and those boys started everything. 

So I don’t believe I did anything wrong.

“You should have called for help instead of getting in a fight with those boys, Kal,” my father scolded me halfheartedly. Yet he couldn’t help but smile. “But you already know that, huh? You did a good thing helping Cerila. There is no point in having strength if you don’t use it to protect others, Son. It seems you already understand that.”

Well, in hindsight, yes. I’m glad I helped Cerila and became her friend. But at that moment, I was ready to abandon her and wanted nothing to do with the situation. I also might have let my anger cloud my better judgment. But I didn’t have the heart to tell him that after he just praised me like that.

"Just remember, violence isn't always the right answer. There are many ways you can solve problems in this world, and it doesn’t always have to be by violence. And when you respond to violence with violence, it only adds to the problem. Does that make sense, Kal?"

"Yes, Dad. I understand."

Although I don’t regret what I did, I understand where Dad is coming from. I guess overriding years’ worth of training and a lifetime’s worth of combat experience wouldn’t happen in just a few months. Fighting came as naturally to me as breathing. 

I didn’t want it to be that way anymore. I didn’t need it to be that way anymore.

Mom clapped her hands and smiled. "It's nearly dinner time. Would Cerila like to join us?"

"I'll ask her." 

I motioned for Cerila to lend me her tablet and wrote to her. <Would you like to eat dinner with us?>

<Sure. If it's okay with your family.> she told me.

I gave Cerila a thumbs up and told Mom she would join us tonight. My father took the tablet and spoke to Cerila as my mother made dinner. It was nice to converse with my new friend at the dinner table. 

Both my parents seemed to like Cerila and were very friendly towards her. Cerila giggled and had a smile on her face the entire time she spoke to either my parents or me. Seeing her smile and enjoy herself like this brought a warmth to my chest and a smile to my face. 

This is a nice feeling. I like this feeling.

When Mom served the food, Cerila took no time to dig in. She completely demolished my mother's mushroom stew before I was even halfway done with mine. She even asked for seconds. I guess the girl can put some food down. The way she destroyed her dinner made it seem like the poor girl didn't eat very much. 

We all enjoyed the post-meal silence with full bellies until Mom spoke up, “It’s getting late. You should walk Cerila back to the village, Kal,” she told me while smiling.

Yeah, I guess it is getting late. I’m still convinced Cerila doesn’t need any protection, her strength is insane, and she is only a few years older than me. Imagine her in a few more years. She could probably just destroy her foes with a single punch. But it would be rude of me to at least not walk her back. This is something friends do…

I think.

Cerila said her farewells to my family, and we began our walk back to the village. The weather didn’t change around here. It was pretty much just a constant state of summer heat until the rainy season hit. But right now, the breeze was outstanding as it blew through the village, dismantling the jungle humidity and heat from the late evening air.

We simply just walked in silence and enjoyed each other's company. Today had been a long and eventful day, and I was fully drained. I was looking forward to passing straight out tonight.

No, I couldn’t do that, not tonight. Before I called it a day, I needed to get some lesson plans down for Cerila’s sign language lessons. The sooner I taught her. The more narrow the communication gap between us would become.

I looked back at Cerila, and she had her hood back on, covering her entire head. The cloak seemed just a bit too big for her. I wondered why she covered herself so much. I thought about it earlier, but I can’t understand why. I guess I’ve just never been able to hide very well. I’ve always stood out wherever I go, not that I want to.

But for all I know, she might be uncomfortable with her appearance. My mother said she looked like a doll. I wasn’t sure what kind of dolls my mom had growing up, and I had never seen any dolls myself. 

Yet, I found it to be an accurate description of Cerila. She almost didn’t seem real. Her ethereal snow-white appearance in the middle of a lush tropical jungle. She must be a long way from home, ancestrally speaking.

I didn't have much time to ponder as we finally reached the outskirts of the village. Cerila began to write to me. <Thanks for today and the food, I had fun, Kaladin.>

<Sorry about my parents. They can be overwhelming sometimes.> 

I couldn’t hide my embarrassment as I felt my face flush. Both my parents pretty much assaulted the unfortunate girl. 

She began to shake her head no as she wrote quickly. <No, no, it’s okay. Your family is very nice.>

I simply nodded and remembered one of the many things I wanted to ask her. <What did my mom say to you before my dad came in?> 

She sunk deeper into her hood as she read the tablet, and I couldn’t get a good look at her face. <It was nothing. Don’t worry about it, Kaladin.> She hastily wrote out.

Mmmm okay. Keep your secrets, then. I don’t mind.

<My family calls me Kal by the way. Feel free to call me Kal as well if you’d like.> I told her.

<Okay. I'll see you later, Kal.> She wrote. 

I read the tablet and gave her a quick nod. She packed the tablet away into her satchel and ran back towards the village, waving goodbye to me with a fang-filled smile.