Charley patted the knee resting against her armrest.

“And yet you look like you could be-”

“Don’t say it. It’s really gotten old, and I am so over it.”

James’s boom of laughter shook the trees. “Fine, fine. You don’t want me to tell you that you’re the most beautiful two-hundred-something eighteen year old around? No problem.”

She mock-punched his shoulder.

“Ahem.” Cael stood in the frame of the sliding glass door, so very different from James in every way except height and form, shape and strength.

Lily snuck in under his arm-an easy feat given her tiny stature. “You’re awake.” She slid her butt onto the edge of the chair at Charley’s toes. “Feelin’ better?”

“I screwed up, Lil.”

“No, no. Giving up who we are? That’s how we move on in this world. You know that better than any of us.” Lily’s head bobbled. “How’d you know he was the right one, though?”

Charley caught James’s gaze before Cael’s. “It’s a long story. I just can’t believe we met up tonight, of all nights.”

“Any other day of the year you’d have been safe to show off your wild and youthful age.” Lily giggled.

“Ooh… and about that. Happy Birthday, Charley.” James leaned in, added a kiss to her forehead.

“To eighteen again!” Cael smirked and held out his fist.

She bumped it.

Lily eyed her with a hint of mischief. “Maybe he was your birthday gift. Maybe that means another chance is around the corner.”

2

One year later

The blare of the bell vibrated through speakers as the masses began their hourly class change. Feet shuffled and screeched, shoulders bumped backpacks, and laughter rang out within the halls of West High.

“Whoops. Sorry, man,” Wyatt called over his shoulder. A hand-as sincere an apology as he’d get-waved back at him. Like the others, he jostled for space and position amidst the sea of sweaty, over-cologned jocks and pretentious girls. Five minutes between classes didn’t offer much time for socialization, though as senior class president, Wyatt found himself the forced exception.