“Jace, thanks for helping out. You’re such a nice boy, I’m sure your mom is so proud of you.” The old woman spoke sweetly.

“Haha, you’re welcome granny. I like helping out with the kids, and the allowance I receive as compensation isn’t so bad too.” He replied politely with a smile adorning his face. “It also helps me with my extra stuff so I won’t have to bother my parents for money that much.”

“Well I put in a little extra there, since you’re going out today. I hope it’ll help you somehow.”

“Awww, you’re so nice granny. Thanks a bunch. I’ll make it up to you next time and work harder!” He said, clasping her wrinkled hands in his.

Jace made his way out of the orphanage and waved back to the small kids waving at him from their windows.

Jace turned to the left upon reaching a small jewelry shop. He went straight ahead for a couple of minutes and stopped in front of an amusement park. From the outside it looked like a kingdom of colorful happiness, with a rainbow design on top.

There were some cloud-shaped waiting benches near the parking area. He approached one of them and saw someone was already occupying it. He glanced at his white watch and its hands indicated that he was still ten minutes early.

“You’re early.” Oresa spoke.

“Not as early as you.” He grinned. He noticed that Oresa was wearing a white dress, the top showing off her collarbone and shoulders. There was a red ribbon slightly above the middle of her chest. The bottom part of the skirt was laced with ornate designs.

“Actually, Rosie was here first but she already went ahead and bought the tickets.”

“Oh. Is this her treat?”

“Sure, if you want her to slap you.” Oresa smirked.

“No thanks.” He paused. “I never knew you two knew each other though.”

“The world of the academe is a small one if you take time to explore it.”

“Uhuh…” Jace sounded sarcastic and tried to speak formally. “What you speak of is beyond comprehension for someone like me.”

“Oh hush.” Oresa said, rolling her eyes.

“Hey cuz.” A guy with wavy black hair greeted. “’Sup Jace. Thanks for helping out at the library last time.”

Next to him was a girl who was a few inches shorter than him; she had amber hair in pigtails and wore an orange top and a cream-colored pants. “I saw Asari on the way here.”

“Hi Oresa. H-Hi Jace…” she greeted shyly.

Oresa and Jace both greeted her back.

“Hey, you guys aren’t enjoying the party without me, are you?” Zach greeted as he walked to them.

“Bro, you made it.” Jace greeted, they exchanged some sort of handshake.

“’Course. I wouldn’t miss this for anything. I mean I know Jace barely has a social life so I was happy to oblige.”

“Stop making me sound so bad, I thought we were buddies.” Jace said, trying to stop himself from laughing.

“Well you know, people wouldn’t be fooled about you being bad if you didn’t show signs of it.” Someone else spoke.

“Rosie!” Zachary said and lunged into a hug with the brunette. She just brushed him off.

“Rosie, you got the tickets?” Oresa asked.

“Yeah, all seven.” She replied.

“Hmmm. W-We seem to be missing one person though…” Asari pointed out.

 “I thought you’d never notice.” She flipped her long, curly blonde hair.

Her heels clicked as she walked.

“I was looking forward to this day. As for the reason for this day at the amusement park… I must know!”