"What in the world are you doing here? Come hug me," Juniper held her arms open and I laughed softly, walking over to hug her tightly.

"I wanted to gauge if I could walk from my apartment to the cafe and see if it would be hard with a wheelchair. I ended up driving but it shouldn't be too bad. Kai invited me to go shopping and get lunch with you two to get to know each other."

"Why would you need a wheelchair?" She looked at me surprised.

"I fell 4 stories off of a hotel balcony when I was 12 and shattered my leg from the knee down," I lifted my pant leg to show her the prosthetic, "there was nothing they could do at the hospital to save it. My prosthetic doesn't fit great and I haven't bothered to replace it. I'm due for a new one. But I get tired easily and so I'll use my crutches or wheelchair. That's all."

"Did it hurt?" Kai whispered from behind me and I smiled at him over my shoulder.

"When you shatter your tibia into dust and your fibula in 7 different places as well as having your foot essentially pulverized, you don't notice the pain anymore. I was in shock. The fact that all I lost was half my leg, got a few small scars on my thigh, and spent 2 years learning to walk again is a miracle. I should be dead. But I didn't hit my head or break any part of my spine. My upper body landed in a moss patch of all things. But, I was a kid. Tried to land on my feet."

"I'm glad you made it," he smiled and gently squeezed my shoulder.

"I was born like this," Juniper cut in, "no feeling to my legs. My circulatory system hates me. It was surprising to our mom, Kai is perfectly fine… well no but he's good, so she was shocked to find out I'd never walk. But it doesn't stop me from living my life. Kai does."

"I'm all you have left, Juniper. Don't start with me," he huffed, "I don't control you. You're a grown woman. How many times a week does Connor stay over?"

"4."

"Exactly. He basically lives here. Do I make him leave? No. Because I know he loves you."

"Who is Connor?" I looked between them confused.

"My partner. He’s amazing! We met a few years ago. Started dating last year. Kai loves him, don't let him fool you. He comes into the coffee shop a lot. You can't miss him. Long bright green hair with a blonde strip on the left side. Don’t give him caffeine. He’ll try to trick you. It messes with his HRT if I let him drink more than a cup or two a day. It’s not supposed to, but it affects him strangely,” Juniper smiled.

"Where is Connor anyway?" Kai sighed, switching out jackets.

"He had to go to his mom's until the semester starts. She's not doing well."

"Did they get a diagnosis?"

"Early onset Alzheimer," Juniper grabbed a few things from the counter, slipping them into her backpack and hooking it onto the back of her wheelchair, "Connor is looking into a long-term care home for her."

"That's rough. Tell Connor if he needs anything let me know. I'll try to help. Anyway, this conversation got sad, so let's hit the road. Shi, you can ride up front with me. Juni has to take the back."

"Whatever works," I smiled, "I need to get my crutches from my car first. My prosthetic is cutting badly into my thigh."

"We'll load up while you do," Juniper squeezed my arm as she went past, "You're prettier than I thought you'd be," she giggled as she headed out of the front door.

“I am not,” I called after her, and she waved me off.

“She’s brutally honest. So if she thinks you’re pretty, she means it,” Kai laughed, before gripping the counter.

“Are you okay?” I rushed over, placing my hands on his back gently.

“I didn’t go to physical therapy this week. Been too busy. I got into a motorcycle accident a while back and I have nerve damage in my spine. So if I’m on my feet too long, I have some pain that shoots through me. I’m actually supposed to use a cane to walk around.”

“Can I get you anything?”

“No,” he shook his head carefully, “I refuse to use my cane if I’m out with Juni. I don’t need everyone staring at me too.”

“There’s nothing wrong with using it,” I rubbed his back gently, “we all need a little help sometimes. I’m not saying you have to, but know that I understand better than most okay? People stare at me because I look like a child. Then they see the crutches or the wheelchair. Sometimes, I wear shorts and I’ve had adults stare at my leg as if it was some issue. I’m not ashamed. I know who I am. It’s just a tool to give me mobility. That’s all. No different than you. But do what you’re comfortable with and let's go have some fun.”

“Thank you, Shi,” he whispered and turned, pulling me into a sudden hug and making me jump, “oh gosh. I’m so sorry. I wasn’t thinking. That was incredibly inappropriate of me.”

“I don’t mind. Just not used to being hugged,” I laughed, squeezing him, “really, though. Your sister is probably going to kill us by now. Let me do what I need in my car then we can go.”

“I’ll meet you out there.”

“Oh?"

“I need to grab my cane,” he released me and I reached up, gently wiping a tear from his cheek.

“Okay. I’ll be in the van with Juni.”

Heading outside, I waved to Juniper as I sat in the passenger seat of my car. After taking off my prosthetic and cleaning the small wound that had started to form from the sleeve pinching, I pinned back my pant leg, grabbed my crutches from the backseat, and my backpack and headed to Kai’s van.

“You took forever,” Juniper huffed, staring at her phone.

“Had to talk to your brother for a minute. That’s all,” I smiled at her over my shoulder, “whatcha doin?”

“Telling Connor that Kai’s new coworker is the cutest person I have ever laid eyes on. He’s jealous. Needs to determine if it’s true and if he needs to worry about you stealing me away from him.”

“Tell him he doesn’t need to worry about me stealing you. As beautiful as you are, I’m gay.”

“Oh! Well, that’ll be easy then. Also, love the cardigan. Where’d ya get it?”

“Online. Want me to order you one?”

“Please,” she wiggled happily as Kai made his way down the porch, “holy… shit. He’s using his cane.”

“I convinced him to. He said he was in pain.”

“I try all the time. He never listens to me.”

“Sometimes, you need an outside view and I can relate to him. That’s all,” I smiled at her as Kai got into the van, setting his cane in the seat behind him, “hey you.”

“Hey,” he smiled, “everyone ready?”

“Mhm.”

We made our way to the mall and I stared wide-eyed at the scenery we passed. Oregon was far different than the rural town in Idaho I had been raised in and I was thrilled. I loved my hometown, but being somewhere larger, and far busier, was exciting for me.

“You remind me of a puppy,” Kai laughed and I turned to look at him.

“The town I’m from only had 400 people. Max. It was all ranches and one small area for shopping. This is vastly different than I’m used to and I love it.”

“Are you going back to Idaho?” Juniper reached up and twirled a piece of my hair.

“Permanently? I haven’t decided yet. But I don’t think so. There’s nothing for me there other than my parents. I have a twin, Isaac, but… he had a pretty intimate relationship with my now ex-boyfriend. So I cut him off. No need for someone in my life that treats me like that when he’s supposed to be my best friend. We were close. I’ll go back at Christmas to see my parents, but that’s it. I’d rather start a new life here. I’m only 22. I just turned 22 actually. The day before I came up here.”

“We missed your birthday?” Kai gasped, pulling into a parking spot.

“It was a tainted birthday this year. So I’m not heartbroken about it. I took myself to a nice dinner -sushi and wine- did some shopping to furnish my apartment, and took a great nap.”

“Well. We need to fix that. The shop is closed Sunday. Dinner party at our house,” he smiled brightly at me.

“Really?”

“Yes!” Juniper called from the backseat, “Absolutely. Plus, Connor will be back then. I think. Hopefully. Anyway, dinner party. What can’t you eat?”

“I’m not allergic to anything but I hate asparagus.”

“That’s so specific,” Kai snorted, grabbing his cane to climb out as Juniper used her ramp, lowering it and I climbed out as well.

“It smells funky. I don’t know,” shrugging, I threw my backpack on, “what are we getting?”

“Whatever we want,” Juniper laughed, “no I have specific things I need. You are banned from following me into Valeria’s Secret. Don’t need my brother watching me pick out stuff for my anniversary.”

“Gross,” Kai gagged.

“Make sure it’s a lemon yellow or aqua,” I smiled, “that’ll look best on you.”

“Oh, you’re so right! Thank you,” Juniper smiled, “alright let’s go!”

With a laugh, Kai and I followed her into the mall. She split off from us, heading into the store she wanted and we made our way to a store I pointed out so I could get shoes for work.

“Hi!” the sales associate smiled at us, “what can I do for you?”

“Hey. I need a pair of these,” I held up a gray athletic shoe with a strap across the top instead of laces, “in a size 9 and a half, please. And those,” I pointed to the tan slide-on sandals with a strap on the back, “but in a 9.”

“You got it. Anything for you?” she smiled at Kai.

“Oh. No, I’m okay,” he smiled, shaking his head.

“Got it. Be right back!”

I led Kai to the counter and leaned against it, yawning softly.

“Tired?” he laughed, scooting closer to me.

“I don’t sleep well in my apartment. It’s nice, but… I’ve never lived alone so it’s peaking my anxiety.”

“I can’t say I understand, but if it’s ever too much, you can call me. I don’t sleep much. I’m happy to sit and talk when you struggle.”

“Really?” I smiled at him.

“Duh,” he laughed and poked my nose softly, “we’re friends remember?”

“Right.”

The sales associate returned a few minutes later and I paid for my shoes along with a pack of brightly colored knee-high socks.

“Thank you so much,” I smiled, hanging the bags from my backpack.

“Of course. Come again soon!” she waved as Kai and I walked out.

“Where in the world is Juni?” he sighed.

“She’s fine. She’s right there,” I pointed into the store she had gone into, “you can literally see her looking at things.”

“I… I’m overbearing… aren’t I?” he rubbed the back of his neck, a flash of shame gracing his features.

“Overbearing? No. You love your baby sister. I can see that. So it’s okay to worry. But you told me yourself, she’s fiercely independent. She doesn’t need us to hover over her. If she needs you, she has a way to contact you right?”

“Her phone,” he nodded, “she also has a button on her wheelchair that sends a message to me if she needs me for any reason.”

“Then there ya go. No need to be so worried. She’s over here living her best life. You have to let her and know that if she needs you, she will let you know. I know nothing of why it’s just the two of you, it’s not my business, but you can have faith that if she needs you, she will depend on you. I have her phone number too. If she can’t get ahold of you for whatever reason, we can tell her to call me instead.”

“Can I… hug you again?”

“Of course,” I laughed softly as Kai wrapped me in a tight hug, letting me lean into him for balance.

“So everyone just gets hugs while I’m buying panties? What the fuck guys?” Juniper called from behind me and I snorted, not releasing Kai.

“He needed a hug. I’m blowing his conceived notions out of the water today,” I turned my head to smile at her, “did you get the colors I said?”

“Absolutely.”

“Good. Also, add me to your emergency contact in your phone. I’ll be with Kai all the time, so if you can’t get ahold of him, call me okay? We’re friends now.”

“That’s not a terrible idea. I’ll do it in a bit. I need help to get some shirts for my classes. I want to look good.”

“You always look good,” Kai finally smiled, his hand lingering on my lower back as I released him from the hug.

“I know,” she shrugged, “but I need more comfortable clothes. So. Let’s go.”

We once again followed her to a shop and both of us started grabbing clothes, Kai following along, occasionally pulling down sweaters and tops he liked.

“Not that color,” I pointed at a highlighter yellow one he had grabbed.

“What do you mean?”

“It’ll be harsh on you. The style is good but,” I studied him for a moment and turned, grabbing the same sweater in pear green, “it’ll look better with your eyes.”

“Oh,” he cleared his throat and a blush spread across his cheeks, “right. I’m not great with color. How are you so good at that?”

“Having a twin I wanted to separate myself from meant learning what would look good on me. He only wears athletic clothing, workout gear, and things like that. I’ve always fallen more into the creative or quirky side. Once I knew what colors worked with my hair and eyes, I got curious and started looking up clothes for different skin tones, hair colors, and eyes. It was interesting,” I shrugged.

“I’ll let you know when I need help,” he laughed, “Juniper. What in the world is that?”

“I think it’s a shirt?” she shrugged, looking at the tiny piece of material confused.

“You’re gonna freeze in that,” I snorted, “it’s Oregon. It’s cute though,” chewing on my lip, I took the shirt from her and started holding it up to various pairs of pants, “what size are you?”

“2,” she looked at me in shock.

“Okay,” matching the silver slinky top with a pair of baby pink jeans, I handed them back to her, “there ya go. That’ll be cute. Just wear a jacket over it. Probably black.”

“Whoa. Thank you, Shiloh,” she beamed, “I would never have thought to go with pink.”

“It’ll look good with most pants. Regular jeans, white pants, black skirts, but the pink pants seemed to compliment. I’m glad you like it.”

“You’re the best. I’m so happy you moved here,” Juniper hummed softly to herself before leaving Kai and me to go look for more clothes.

“Thank you,” he whispered softly, “it’s hard for me to see her as an adult sometimes. I remember the baby and toddler that I took care of. It’s just easy to forget that she’s a grown woman now.”

“I can get that. But, I’m happy to go shopping with her whenever. We all needed a friend apparently. She has Connor, but I’m guessing she wants to be able to surprise him. I love going shopping. I have to stop spending money though,” I laughed, “I’m living off my savings for a few weeks and while they’re a lot, I want to make sure I still have a cushion if you decide to fire me.”

“Why in the world would I do that?”

“Because you haven’t seen me work yet. You’ll see tomorrow.”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine. Come on,” he gently touched my lower back again and I followed him to the register.

After making our purchases, the three of us headed out of the store, coming to a stop as I adjusted my bags.

“Where should we eat?” Juniper smiled.

“Wanna go to Rainbow? I think Shiloh would like it,” Kai smiled.

“Oh, that sounds fantastic! We haven’t been there in forever.”

I smiled, watching the siblings interact and we left the mall, my heart warm.

I’m so glad I met you two.

Thank God I came to Oregon.