“Let’s go, follow me,” Nova said hesitantly, but decided to follow Solari, while Lucas, who still couldn’t process everything, absent-mindedly followed the two. 

“I see, you guys are one of those miserable souls. Your arrival in the Luminary was sooner than expected.” Solari said, leaving them confused, especially Nova.

“Miserable souls? Me? You might be referring to him but not me,” Nova denied and pointed fingers at Lucas. Seeing this, Lucas frantically shakes his head in disapproval.

“Not me either,” Lucas denied. Nova scoffs at him, recalling all the happenings this morning—or rather, the happenings on the island.

Luminary almost looked like the island they were on earlier, but much brighter and lively. Abundance of fruits, number of people—there’s even small huts on this island. 

“I didn’t know this place existed,” muttered Nova.

“Where are we? Mom’s going to like this place,” Lucas said.

"Oh, she did,” Solari muttered. “As I’ve mentioned, you guys are here in the Luminary. If you need something, just ask for me; everything you need is in here.”

The three continued to walk on the island. Lucas and Nova observe everything in awe, but despite that, the two are still skeptical about this place.

“And here we are; these two huts will be your accommodation.” Solari stops in front of two identical huts. 

“Here?” Nova asked.

“Yep, I’ll leave you two here and get some rest, or you can walk around the place up to you two. Bye~” Solari then walks out, leaving the two.

“I guess this is where we’ll part. Glad I’m cut out of the drama.” Nova stretched her body and faced the door of her hut. “Bye, never seeing you again.”

“Huh? Wait, no! I don’t know anyone here.” Lucas objected.

“Well, not my problem.” Nova then shuts the door, leaving Lucas in disbelief.

Leaving with no choice, Lucas faced the door of his hut and decided to open it. A neat, bright room welcomes him. He then let out a sigh of relief, ran towards the bed, and flopped himself on it. 

“I miss mom,” he said while still having his face buried under the mattress. Minutes later. A sound of the opening and closing of doors outside was heard by Lucas. Curious, but at the same time hoping that it was Nova, he jumped out of bed, tied his wavy shoulder length hair, and opened the door. Nova was caught walking out of her hut. Seeing Lucas made her face angry, and she let out a breath. 

“What?” 

“Where are you going? Can I join you?” Lucas asked.

“Obviously no. Mind your own business.” She then proceeds to walk but Lucas decides to tag along instead. That makes Nova stop walking but before she turns around,

“I promise to keep my mouth shut; just let me go with you,” he pleaded. Nova continues walking, which makes Lucas smile.

They continued to explore Luminary without any restriction. Nova sees a large tree crowded by fireflies and is reminded of the injury Lucas got.

“Is your head still hurting?” she asked. Lucas was surprised by her question and smiled. He touched his head to check, but strangely, no matter where he touched it, he could not feel the bump.

“Wait, it’s not here. The bump,” he said. Nova rolled her eyes, thinking it was another stunt of stupidity Lucas was pulling off. “It’s real. Look.” He walks faster, overtaking Nova, and proceeds to part his hair and show her where his bump was supposed to be. Nova became skeptical. It’s not really there.

“It's really gone,” she said. He noticed her tone was different.

“Why aren’t you happy?” he asked. “Did you think that I deserved that bump?”

“No, I’m really relieved, I mean it. I just wish that would happen to my mom too,” she explained.

“Why? What happened?” he asked. Nova stopped herself from talking. Lucas noticed the mood and didn’t ask again. A tear left Nova’s eyes, and she hurriedly wiped it away. “If you want to talk about it, you can tell me. I mean, if you’re ready and willing, of course.” Nova then proceeds to sniff; she almost cries but manages to stop herself.

“I just miss my mom. I wonder if she has already woken up. She must be looking for me,” she sadly wondered. “She’s sick. Badly sick. She almost died yesterday, but gladly she managed to hold on. I’m so happy she did but at the same time hurt. I know that she’s having a hard time already, but... I don’t want to lose her.” Her tears flowed freely after saying those things. 

“I know it must be hard for you, but even though I just met you, I know you're a strong person, Both of you, you’ll get through this.” Lucas said softly. Nova took a deep breath and wiped her tears away. She looked at him.

“Thanks… for those words. Appreciated, and I mean it." Both of them chuckled. “I’m Nova, Nova Reed," she said, introducing herself and extending her hand. Lucas, being shocked, can’t process the thing she said. 

“You told me your name,” he unbelievably said. “I-I’m Lucas, Lucas Anderson,” he said, accepting her hand for a handshake. “We’re now friends,” he happily said.

“Nope, not friends, acquaintances,” she denied, breaking the handshake.

“Come on, I barely had friends when I was in elementary school; let’s become high school friends. Which school do you attend?.”

“Wait, you’re a high schooler?” she unbelievably asked.

“Umm, yes. ? Why?”

“Pft. You don’t look like one. You look like the type of person who still wets their bed.” She laughed hard after saying it.

“Hey, I may be shorter than you by a few centimeters and have a baby face, but I’m a high schooler. It’s just that puberty hasn't hit me yet.”

“Hah, lame! Puberty hasn’t hit me yet,” she mocked.

“Hey, you don’t look like a high schooler either. You don’t have... never mind. Change topic.”

“A what?! Huh? I dare you say it? You pervert! I’m only 12. Mom said I’ll have them when I turn 13 next year!” Despite all Nova said, Lucas was focused on learning her age.

“You’re 12? Same! I’ll turn 13 next year too. We’re really destined to be friends,” he said excitedly.

“Ugh, your enthusiasm is really burning me. I only hang out with people a few years older than me. We’re acquaintances, okay?”

“We’re supposed to be best friends ‘cause I saw you cry already.” Lucas protested.

“That only applies to the same sex!”

“It's not though. Come on, Nova, you and me? We’ll be the bestest friends.” Lucas said happily, then grabbed her hands, dragging Nova, and danced in circles.

“No! Objection!”

“If she won't, then I’ll be your friend then.” The two stopped after hearing the voice.