Kiva's pheonix

itches, and fairies were nothing more than stories-tales told to children t

at least, that's what I used to believe. That was bef

amily-wealthy, well-known, always in the spotlig

s and servants. My parents were always "too busy"-a phrase that became a bitter

y, but it was hollow-like trying to fill a bottomless pit with gold. There were days w

ulders and extended down to my lower back. It pulsed with heat and pai

d. A lot. Whenever I had one of my strange "episodes"-when I saw something no one else could s

even as a child, I could tell they were hiding something. Running from something-

currying around like ants. I cornere

father's business, honey," she

d again-

muttered to myself, "It'

t. A massive mansion surrounded by t

hough eerily silent. As we pulled into the driveway, I glanced at my o

at me, as if sensi

my room. Lala chirped softly and flew to

id, "I wish I could make some

ing to shake the heavy loneliness

good friend." I froze

?" But she was still happ

y much not my falcon. "Of course birds don't

h caught in my throat, and my kne

. Had I imagined it? Was I going crazy-like the other kids always said? I sa

nce. The soft rustling of Lala

t crazy. I'm not crazy." Lala fluttered to my sho

la? I'm no

e came again. "I'm s

y tennis bat, the one I kept by my bed for safety-just in

himmered-like a burst of sunlight or a r

y, really. No lar

y or cartoon-like. She looked almost human, but with a sharpness to her-pointed

: a dwarf. Grumpy and wrinkled, with a sour

ief. "So... I'm not

ave me a warm smile. "No, Kiva. You'r

r, half with wonder. "Why me

-" Before he could finish, the fa

vously, my hand reaching out on instinct, and I tou

st time I'd truly laughed in months. The sound was foreign to me, almost a

in her eyes. "Now that's more like it! We didn't think

ried. "I do believe! I believe in you

dded softly, my voice faltering

We won't leave you. But you must understand, Kiva. This is bi

ny? Me? A normal, lonely girl with a strange birthmark

the air. "I'll name you Echo," she said, as if it was the most natural thing in the w

inting at the dwarf,

ted. "F

-had cracked open to reveal a truth more magical than I ever imagined.

ompared to the grandeur of the mansion her family had moved into. The hallways buzzed with the sounds of teenagers lau

It was something Kiva had long since learned to live with, even if it left her lonely and adrift. But this time, her loneliness was sharper,

She took a seat in the back, hoping to go unnoticed, just another faceles

of his nose, sat down next to her. He was new, to

dly grin. "You're new, right? I

dgeting with the hem of her sl

ew months ago, so I know how weird it i

dn't expect anything from her, unlike the many other students who seemed to already have their groups

so far?" he asked, til

s alright. I don't

d at first. But hey, I'm Sean," he added, extending a hand. "If you ever nee

d for a moment before

meet yo

strange things that happened around her, or the fact that she had a falcon as a pet. He simply accepted h

er, and even took walks after school. Kiva found herself laughing more than she ever had before, even for

ies of her past. Sometimes, she felt a pull-an undeniable connection to something larger, something she didn't fully understand. But when she was

alone in the hallway, her mind lost in thought. She was so caught up in her swirling thoughts

on her a little too long. One of them, a girl with

dripping with mock sweetness. "Lo

seen this kind of behavior before-the quiet cruelty of hi

g else, Sean appeared, his lanky figu

m?" he asked, his

t wondering why someone like her is even her

ir words sinking deep into her chest. But

arrying more weight than they seemed to

p of students exchanging glances. Fina

stepping aside. "Just don'

ffering a small, reass

ht of the encounter hung hea

t to you. People like that always have to tea

stood up for her without hesitation, without fear of being ostracized himself. It was a

ve a friend. It wasn't about appearances or status. It wasn't about fitting in. It was about trust, acceptance

with Sean, and the occasional flare-up of strange magic that Kiva couldn't quite control. Th

rounds, talking about everything and nothing, Kiva felt a tug in her chest.

"Have you ever felt like... like you'r

g the late afternoon sun. "You mean like dest