“I’m sorry for killing you,” I said on my deathbed, the hospital’s heart rate monitor beeping steadily like a timer counting these final seconds.

“Don’t say that.” Leif chuckled and shook her head dismissively. “Think of it more like… I’ve lived through you.”

I smiled tenderly, feeling her presence with me. Then I suddenly felt a wave of exhaustion. I didn’t fight it, but I felt terrified. Even though this was something billions of people experienced before, it still felt so abnormal.

“It’s okay. I’ll see you on the other side,” Leif whispered gently even though she didn’t know if there would be another side. But it reassured me long enough for it to be the last thought I’d process. She then said one, final thing.

“Close your eyes.”

…

“Close your eyes.”

“Seriously?”

“Just close them!”

I sighed deeply and grinned, rolling my eyes as I resigned. There was something about knowing I needed to be hospitalized soon that made me feel like this could be my last time doing this. But, I tried to avoid thinking about my worsening symptoms as I let Gale lead me away. She seemed so excited to make me happy.

Even before I could open my eyes after hearing the word “surprise,” I already knew the whole family was there with cake and balloons. Of course, Leif was there too, cheerful as ever.

“Happy birthday, dad,” Gale smiled sweetly at me. I looked at her fondly.

She grew up so fast.

…

She grew up so fast.

That was the only thought in my head when I saw how the child actress from my childhood was… well, no longer a child actually.

“They’re making a reboot of that show she was on,” Piera told me when she came in and saw the show Leif and I were watching together. I didn’t know who “they” were, but the reboot mattered more to me.

“Which show? The Land Down Under or Penny Farthing?” I asked curiously.

As per usual, before Piera came to join me on the couch, she went straight for the kitchen sink to wash off the saliva from baby Gale. Promptly, Leif left to give us alone time, but I didn’t notice.

“Penny Farthing, of course,” Piera giggled sweetly.

“Oh, my favourite!”

“I was never a Penny Farthing kid, but I trust your judgement, dear.”

“We could let Gale watch it when she’s old enough.”

“And when would that be?” Piera questioned as she finally came to join me on the couch. Her head nestled onto my shoulder as I wrapped my arm around her. “How old would she need to be?”

“Hmmm… around six.”

…

“Hmmm… around six.”

“Am or pm?” Leif inquired with a head tilt.

“Pm. My top surgery appointment is in the afternoon, after work,” I explained with an eager grin.

I wrote the date down on the neat little calendar I was proud of maintaining, highlighting it by looping my marker around it twice.

Leif watched me with a fond look. “It must be exciting after you’ve been on the waitlist for years.”

“Yeah! I’m glad it’s finally happening. I only hope it goes well as T therapy did.” My expression softened as I turned to face her. “…Do you think you could be there with me?”

“Of course.”

…

“Of course.”

Piera sounded so certain, but doubts flooded my head faster than my heart was beating. “Are you sure…?” I murmured as I looked down at the river water beneath the log.

“Yes, of course, I’m sure. I’ll be fine!” She insisted and climbed onto the log.

I nervously glanced around, partly hoping we’d get caught for this before things get out of hand. I wished Leif would stop this, but I knew she couldn’t. And even if she could, she was too entertained to get involved anyways.

“What if we get in trouble? What if we get grounded?” I whined.

“We’d only get grounded if our parents find out,” Piera scoffed as she slowly rose from her crouched position, hands still on the log. “And you’re not gonna tell on me, right?”

We both knew I wouldn’t. But that only meant I had no reason to talk her out of this dangerous feat. I managed to mutter the words “Just be careful, please,” but I don’t think she heard my quiet voice.

I was so certain something bad would happen when Piera removed her hands from the log and stood straight on it. But, instead, when she slowly rose to stand up straight, it felt like the world stood still. Tall, regal, her hair catching a light breeze. If only for a moment, it looked like not even an earthquake could shake her.

Piera was… stunning. And I felt my cheeks grow warm.

This was an unfamiliar feeling to me.

…

This was an unfamiliar feeling to me.

Everyone was three or four times taller than me, and all I had with me was my favourite blanket, and my Penny Farthing backpack packed with a grilled cheese sandwich. It may sound like I had everything I could ever need, but I was missing one thing. My parents.

“I can help you find them,” A voice suddenly spoke up.

And there she was. She had short, golden hair, and a really cool blue dress. No one else could see her except me, but she felt so real to me.

“Who are you?” I inquired, my eyes lighting up with wonder.

“I don’t have a name yet,” She shrugged lightly. “Do you have any ideas?”

I let out a thoughtful “hmmm” and tapped my chin, bouncing slightly in place. “How about… this?” I wrote down the name in the dirt using a stick.

“That says… Leif?” She questioned.

“Yeah, I love leaves! Every leaf is nice.”

“Aw, thank you. You’re nice too.”

“You think so?”

“Yeah,” Leif smiled sweetly, “Nice people get nice things. I think you’re gonna have a good life.”

“Will you stay for it? All of it?”