Chapter 14: Winter Wonders

Dear Journal:

Winter's here already?

Well, I shouldn't say that. It's been here for a while now. I guess I just haven't left the house enough to really notice it.

But Miraj sure did.

Even though I graduated and all that, I still had to get him to school.

I made sure he got to school on time, or at least had an excuse for lateness. He really wanted to go with me to see me register as a self-employed sculptor.

Then came the holiday.

Chapter 13: Growing Pains

Dear Journal:

What is it with me and forgetting birthdays? Like, that seems to be a recurring thing with me.

Well, Miraj didn't outright say it was a birthday. But I saw the cake, and drew my own conclusions.

Here, I thought, it can't be his birthday again already. It only seems like yesterday we had the last one. I told him, isn't it a little early for you to celebrate your birthday again?

Chapter 12: The Future is Spooky

Dear Journal:

Spooky Day came and went.

I wasn't really in the mood for trick-or-treating. Never really have been since my voice cracked. I figured, I'm getting too old for free candy anyway.

Miraj decided to stay home, too. I told him, if he wanted to go out and do it, I wasn't gonna stop him.

But nah, he said he'd rather stay home, and give out candy to the other kids.

Even though it had to be boring as hell, he said he didn't mind. And this way he didn't have to figure out what to go as for a costume.

Yeah, costumes can be creepy if done right. But there's scarier stuff than plastic masks and fake blood all over the place.

Chapter 11: Love Hurts

Dear Journal:

I've never even considered dating. I mean, what's so great about it? Sure, I went on a date with Lisa once, but that was it. And she and I were better off as just friends.

Miraj, well, I can't really see him dating, either. But just because I couldn't see him with someone else, didn't mean it couldn't happen.

I heard him talking on the phone when I got off from work a few days ago. He was talking to Lisa's mom if Darlene was there.

Darlene. Why Miraj would want to hang with Lisa's little sister is beyond me. But there he was, asking if she could come over.

Last I saw her, she wasn't much taller than Miraj. But then, that was when I last saw her.

The girl that showed up later...