That night, after Serco walked me home, I lay in bed staring at the ceiling. I couldn't even remember the last time I blinked. Fairytales aren't supposed to come true—they're meant to entertain or scare children into behaving.
As a kid, my mom told me stories of Guardians befriending humans. In those tales, the Guardians felt human—tangible, flawed, and kind. But those stories never felt real to me. Not compared to what I knew of reality: Infaniyans protect humans only as a means to lure out Afarions. We're bait. That's all.
Outside of that, they want nothing to do with us. That's why real interaction between Guardians and humans is practically unheard of.
Yet today… Serco talked to me. He thanked me. Apologized. Held my hand and looked straight into my eyes—human eyes. I raised my hand and stared at my palm. It was still faintly pink and warm where he had touched it.
I didn't imagine it. But maybe I'm the one who's not real. Maybe my life is a fairytale.
I was jolted from my thoughts when my phone suddenly blared to life. I scrambled to answer it.
"Hello?" I croaked, wiping at my tired eyes.
"You left me! How could you?!" Nacina's voice came through, half dramatic, half genuinely upset.
I sighed and smiled faintly. "I'm sorry… you just seemed like you were having so much fun. And I was really tired."
It wasn't entirely a lie. Nacina was probably the only one who did want me there. The thought made me feel lonelier than I wanted to admit.
"You could've said something! I was worried something happened."
"I know. I'm really sorry. I won't do it again, I promise."
"You better not." She exhaled. "Where are you now?"
"I'm home," I answered. There was a brief pause before she said,
"Alright… since it's late, I'll just see you tomorrow."
I opened my mouth to say "okay," but stopped myself. I remembered—I had plans tomorrow.
"Actually… I'm sorry. I have plans."
"What?! Really?" she blurted. "Did you meet someone at the party or something?"
"No… nothing like that," I said quickly.
"Is it Will? Are you hanging out with him?"
"Well… not tomorrow."
"Did he ask you out, though? Because he's totally into you."
I felt myself bristle. "No, next weekend we're just hanging out. As friends. I don't think he likes me that way."
Nacina groaned. "Yes, he does! How dense can you be?"
"No, he doesn't. He barely even knows me. And why would someone like him like me?" The irritation in my voice surprised even me. The idea of Will liking me made my stomach churn—and not in a good way.
"He doesn't have to know you well to like you! You're in the same class, and I see the way he looks at you."
"Can we change the subject?" I muttered.
"Alright, alright," she teased. "So what are you doing tomorrow?"
"I… don't know yet. But I made plans, and I'm not sure how long they'll take."
She hummed thoughtfully. "Well, let me know how it goes, okay?"
"I will," I lied, unsure if I could actually explain anything afterward.
"I'm heading to bed. Talk to you later. Love you."
"Love you too. Goodnight."
She hung up, and I lay back down, returning my gaze to the ceiling.
Wow… I have plans tomorrow. I can hardly believe it's real.
When I woke up the next morning, panic struck me: I never exchanged contact info with Serco.
Is he just going to show up at my house? That sounds like a nightmare. What will my mom say? What will she ask me? "I'm going somewhere with a guy I don't really know. We're not friends or dating, and I don't know where we're going or when I'll be back."
Yeah. That'll go over great.
When I went downstairs, Mom was on the living room couch with a book and a mug of coffee. I fixed myself a bowl of cereal while mentally rehearsing excuses. Should I say Serco's name? Is that private? Can I even say he's a Guardian?
After breakfast, I got dressed and waited on the porch. We'd figure it out together. That's a good plan. No—a great plan.
"Good morning." The voice startled me, though I recognized it instantly.
"Hey, Serco." I smiled as he stepped through the gate.
In the daylight, I noticed things I hadn't before. His eyes, usually glowing, were now a dim reddish-brown. His hair was straight at the roots but curled slightly at the ends, relaxed from its usual blazing form. Most striking—his wings were gone.
"You look… like a human," I said before I could think of anything better.
"This is just how I look… powered down," he explained.
I wanted to ask more, but something else was more urgent.
"What should I tell my mom?"
He shrugged. "Say you're hanging out with a friend."
"She knows I don't have many friends. She won't buy it."
He sighed. "Then I'll talk to her."
And just like that, he brushed past me and stepped inside. I scrambled after him.
"Hey," he greeted my mom casually. She looked up from her book.
"I'm your daughter's friend. I'd like to spend time with her today. Is that alright?"
My mom raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "What's your name, your parents' names, your net worth, your future ambitions—and what are your intentions with my daughter?"
I panicked. Serco didn't.
"I'll answer one of those. I want to make your daughter happy. I'd like to give her a day she'll never forget—and, perhaps, become better friends in the process."
Her expression stayed flat… then she smiled.
"You're awfully serious. Fine. Just be back before dark. If you're Akina's friend, I'll trust you."
Are we friends? I wasn't sure, but I smiled back.
"But before you go," Mom added, "you have to at least tell me your name."
"Shion," he said.
He lied…? So his real name is a secret, after all.
She nodded. "Text me when you get there. Keep your location on."
I nodded. Serco took my hand again—his touch was as warm as I remembered. He led me outside, and I realized I hadn't pulled away. I thought about it…
But I didn't, because I knew I'd regret it.