The first week was hard

  Missing her hometown, her moms', and the smell of the air after a cold night. She even missed the stupid birds that would sing outside her window.

  The third week is when it started getting easier.

  Crying after video chats with her moms' didn't happen anymore.

  It was the fifth month that Aria finally felt at home in Ligera City.

  Thanks to Tommy's help, transitioning from country life to city life was smooth. They showed Aria all the best places to eat. Which supermarket has the most produce without being too expensive. Most of all, Tommy showed Aria a Mom&Pop nursery that specialized in vegetables and herbs.

  Not long after, the twos' apartment had tomatoes, cilantro, sweet and hot peppers, and some leek onions. All of them reside in the various spots on the patio.

  When Aria talked about getting supplies for potatoes, Tommy said no. So Aria convinced them to let her grow some raspberries and lemons.

  The one thing Tommy loved that Aria grew, was the variety of sunflowers. Three shades of yellow, two pinks, and a red.

  Thanks to Tommy's Water Magic and Aria's Earth Magic, every flower, fruit, and vegetable was thriving. The vegetables were coming in nicely, looking ready to eat soon. The raspberry and lemon flowers mixed beautifully with the sunflowers. Giving the apartment a fantastic smell.

  Opening her shoe cabinet, Aria looked through her collection. Grabbing a pair of pastel blue high tops, she quickly slipped them on.

  Making her way to her bathroom, Aria did the final touch-ups of her makeup.

  Finally, she'd be meeting Tommy's friend group for the first time, and she was nervous.

  Only positive things were spoken about their friends and Tommy's wanted all of them to meet. Unfortunately being adults means schedules can conflict from time to time.

  Tonight, the stars aligned, and everyone had the night off. One of the friends was throwing a party and everyone was invited.

  When her morning shift was over, Aria rushed home to get ready. While Tommy excitedly texted their friends.

  "Aria! Are you ready?" Tommy asked from the front door, "We're going to be late!"

  "I'm coming!" Aria answered back, rushing out of her room.

  Sharing an excited smile, the two quickly left their apartment.

  Happily chatting away, Tommy explained how thrilled their friends were to meet Aria. All Aria could do was smile as she listened to her friend.

  All six were very close. If they couldn't spend time all together, pairs would make plans.

  A lot of times Tommy tried to invite Aria to brunch with their friend Aster. One thing or another would keep the two from meeting.

  "We're here!" Tommy all but lept out of their Egoi ride, and made their way up to the huge two-story house.

  Not house, mansion!

  Maybe that still isn't the right word, it was more like an estate.

  They had to drive through a privacy, iron, gate. Keypad and everything. After the gates opened, they had another five-mile drive to go.

  Even though Aria was warned that Aster was wealthy, she still wasn't prepared.

  They did say Aster was a self-proclaimed trust fund baby.

  Trust fund baby to whom?!

  The Southeasts'?!

  "Am I even allowed to come inside dressed like this?" Aria asked, walking up to the ivory, ornate, front door.

  A fingerprint lock on the handle.

  Adjusting her purple crop top, Aria fixed the straps of her black overalls.

  Reaching to take out her pink, fuzzy, scrunchy, Tommy pulled her hand away.

  "You're fine!" Tommy assured, before giving the door a rhythmic knock and ringing the doorbell a million times.

  "Tommy! I will sick Alejandro on you if you don't stop! The door is already unlocked!" a voice shrilled from the doorbell.

  "I'm Alejandro's favorite, he won't touch me!" Tommy teased, grabbing Aria's hand and skipping inside.

  How is the house bigger inside?!

  The ceiling lights bounced off the crystal chandelier. Soft purple and pink gems dangled from it, giving a fairytale look. The walls were the same ivory as the front door. Floors a shiny marble, so clean Aria thought she was walking on a mirror.

  Traveling further into the house, the denser the human population became.

  A few famous faces were sprinkled in the crowd.

  "Is that Belle?!" Aria whispered to Tommy, trying her best to not stare at the pink-haired pop star.

  "Yeah, she and Aster did a photoshoot together," Tommy answered.

  "So, Aster is more than a trust fund baby?" Aria asked, keeping her voice low and a tight grip on Tommy's arm so she didn't get lost.

  "She was a pretty big following on QuickPics," Tommy commented, leading Aria to the backyard.

  As Tommy looked around for their friends, Aria looked at the one-acre backyard. It had the most beautiful flowers and blossom trees decorating the area.

  Something about the layout of everything was familiar to Aria. Combining the beautiful foliage with the lavish house, it all came together.

  "Wait, is she-?"

  "Tommy, there you are!" the voice from the doorbell interrupted Aria.

  Looking at the voice, Aria nearly dropped at the beautiful redhead making her way over. The pale lavender dress hugged her body perfectly, matching with her chunky heels. Sun-kissed skin glowing thanks to whatever shade of light hit her.

  "Why didn't you tell me you're friends with the Aster Butterfly?" Aria hissed at Tommy, keeping a smile on her lips.

  "I wanted to mess with you," Tommy smiled sweetly at their best friend.

  "I'm not sharing my vegetables once they're matured," Aria's empty threat fell on deaf ears.

  The beautiful giant hugged her pixie-like friend. Rocking each other side to side before turning to Aria.

  "Aster, this is Aria," Tommy introduced.

  "It's great to finally meet you," Aster greeted, "Tommy has not stopped talking about you."

  "All of it about my plant obsession?" Aria asked.

  "I'm so glad you said it and not me. Do you really know how to grow Pink Sunflowers?" Aster asked a sprinkle of hope in her voice.

  "Yeah, after I learned how to grow Lilac Tiger Daffodils, I tried my hand at Pink Sunflowers!" Aria explained, excited to talk about flowers.

  "You can grow Lila Tiger Daffodils?!" Aster and Tommy asked surprised.

  "Yeah!" Aria answered.

  Opening her photo albums, Aria opened the one titled: "My Babies". With a quick scroll, Aria pulled up the picture of her daffodils hugging the corner of a fence.

  Its vines were slowly growing up the posts, just inches from the mailbox. The white trumpet petals with lilac strips stood out beautifully. Looking up at the sunny sky and soaking in its rays.

  Looking from the phone to Tommy, Aster said, "How could you keep her from me?" her words were accusing with a hint of teasing.

  Jaw-dropped, Tommy looked to their friend offended.

  "Don't worry, I'm not like Tommy, I know how to share and won't keep you to myself," Aster looped her arm through Aria's and guided her away.

  "Hey!" Tommy snapped, catching up to the two.

  "Come on Aria, let me introduce you to the group," Aster spoke, ignoring Tommy's pointed look, "And after I introduce you to everyone, we have to talk about you helping me get some Periwinkle Pansies."

  "Oh, that's easy! Let's talk about a day that works for us and I'll come by to get started!" Aria eagerly agreed.

  Ideas of complimenting flowers to go with Periwinkle Pansies were discussed. Along with how to arrange them, and where the best location for them is.

  "I could also get some Blushing Lavender to grow with it. They pair scent-wise perfectly with Periwinkle Pansies, and they keep wasps away!" Aria gushed, "And once those are mature enough, we can add some Mint Penunias, mosquitos hate them!"

  So tangled in plant talk, Aria didn't notice how close to a group of four they were.

  "Wow, she really does like plants," the redhead of the group teased, "You must be Aria," he added, holding his hand out to her.

  "That is me," Aria greeted, shaking hands, "Tommy gave me a rundown, minus one big detail," she gave her roommate a pointed look.

  "You didn't tell me you could grow one of the most popular flowers in the world!" Tommy snapped back, "Me not telling you I was best friends with the top social media star makes us even."

  "Potatoe, tomato," Aria answered with a wave of her hand.

  "Oh my Goddess, I'm keeping her," Aster said, hugging Aria's arm closer to her.

  Among the twins of the group, the one with long hair rolled his eyes with a smirk. The one with short hair smiled at Aster and Aria.

  Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  Smiling at her best friend, Aria asked, "Will you love me again if I grow blueberries for you?"

  The promise of blueberries made Tommy's eyes widen in hope. Only for a second before continuing to pout.

  "Yeah, yeah, maybe," Tommy waved off, "Just show if you've paid attention to what I told you."

  "Right, so they're the twins right?" Aria joked, pointing to the redhead and brunette.

  That earned a chorus of snickers and chuckles.

  "No, no, you're Jason," Aria said to the redhead, "And you're Steve," she added, turning to the brunette with a beard to match his wavy hair.

  Gliding away from Aria, Aster wrapped her arms around Steve's waist. In return, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Placing a kiss on her forehead.

  "And you guys are Kousuke and Kouya. You're Kouya," Aria looked from the short-haired twin to the long-haired twin, "And you're Kousuke."

  They gave Aria a wave as a greeting.

  "Tommy says you're a Terra User, right?" Kouya asked.

  "Yep!" Aria confirmed happily, "What about you guys?" she asked.

  A waiter walked by with a tray full of drinks and Aria grabbed one with Tommy and Kousuke.

  "I'm a Pitch User," Kouya answered.

  "Oh my Goddess, you guys are Geminis?!" Aria asked astonished.

  The twins kept their poker faces on perfectly. Ready for the possibility Aria wasn't as amazing as Tommy described.

  Living the life they've lived has made them cautious of people.

  Being born a Gemini wasn't a bad thing, it just meant being born a Gale User. However, if twins are born Geminis, one is a Pitch User and the other a Radiant User.

  Dark and Light.

  Pitch Users can shift the shadows surrounding them. They can also see in the dark.

  While Radiant Users can bend any source of light, redirecting it wherever they want. The ability to create small pockets of light is also possible.

  Centuries of rumors were made that they could also manipulate people's souls. Bend them to their will. Make them slaves to do all their bidding.

  "That's so cool!" Aria gushed, catching the twins off guard, "My Uncle is a Pitch User also! There's no way I can be so lucky to know two sets of Gemini Twins! I need to buy a lotto ticket," Aria continued, so happy to be a part of a cosmic coincidence.

  Another reason Pitch and Radiant Users are normally shirked away from. They only make up about .01% of the human population. So because they are so few and far between, they're treated as pariahs.

  Smiling wider, Aria said, "I can't wait to tell my Uncle, he's gonna think I'm messing with him."

  "What about the Radiant User?" Kouya asked.

  "That's his sister, she's too busy living in a camper in the woods. Busy living her best, hippy, life to care about stuff," Aria chuckled, "If I told her, she would just say: 'That's nice my Woodland Sprite, can you check on my rutabaga?', I love her so much."

  A smirk curled on Tommy's lips, and their eyes traveled to Kousuke.

  Blue eyes taunting the Radiant User: 'I told you she was awesome'. Taking pride in proving the oldest twin wrong for being skeptical of their friend.

  Rolling his eyes, Kousuke ignored the Hydro User. Not letting them have complete satisfaction about being right.

  Didn't matter, Tommy still took this as a victory.

  "What about your parents?" Jason asked, taking a sip of his drink.

  "My Momma is a Hydro User and Ma is a Pyro User," Aria answered, sipping her drink as well.

  "Hey! Your Ma and I have something in common!" Jason declared.

  "You're constantly having to calm down your parent's anxiety about which cardigan looks best on her?" Aria asked in mock surprise.

  "You just described Jason and Tommy's friendship," Steve snorted, earning a few snickers.

  "Jason, my shoes," Tommy joked, pointing at their open-toed wedges.

  "Yeah, yeah, real cute, matches your top," Jason answered, not looking at Tommy, taking another swig of his drink.

  "I'm wearing a dress," Tommy said deadpan.

  "Yeah, yeah, you're beautiful," Jason teased, making Tommy roll their eyes.

  "What about you Steve?" Aria asked.

  "Well, thanks to this awesome lady right here, I have this fabulous 'Not My Birthday' party," Steve said, giving Aster's forehead another kiss.

  Eyebrows furrowed in confusion, Aria tried to understand the simple riddle.

  What's a 'Not My Birthday' party? Was his birthday on a day that he had to work? Does he not know when his birthday is? Did he transition and today is the day it happened?

  Seeing the hamster in Aria's brain start to get tired, Kousuke leaned over and whispered, "Today's February 28th."

  Ok, so today-

  "You're a leap-year baby!" Aria finally put it together, getting a laugh out of Jason.

  "Bing!" Steve congratulated.

  "How does it feel to be seven?" Aria asked.

  "It sucks!" Steve answered, his smile not wavering made Aria laugh.

  Leap-year babies are similar to Gemini twins. When leap-year babies are born, they're Bolt Users. Their magic allows them to feel electric currents and sometimes change the flow of the currents. They can even charge electric items, basically being a walking battery.

  "Aster, you're a Gale User, right?" Aria asked.

  "Of course," Aster smiled, very proud of her magical abilities.

  From then on, the seven talked cannonly with one another. Making jokes, talking about interests, just a pleasant time.

  It felt familiar to be talking with each other. Like they had known one another all their lives. Friends that grew up together, but had to part ways in life. Only to come back together as if nothing changed.

  Conversations ebbed and flowed. Jokes earned laughter of different kinds. There was never a lull in the group.

  As they talked they walked around Aster's backyard before making their way inside. That's when Aria drifted off for a second to freshen up.

  Finished washing her hands, Aria examined her look in the mirror. Making sure her outfit was still in place, Aria took a couple of selfies.

  The lighting in the bathroom was better than any ring light.

  With one more look over, Aria happily made her way to the living room.

  Turning a corner, new friends in sight, Aria picked up the pace a little. Until she was abruptly stopped by a man stepping in front of her.

  Taking a few steps back, Aria looked up at the man confused.

  "You're friends with Aster right?" the man asked, flashing a smile to show his pearly whites.

  "Uhh, not really," Aria answered un-easy.

  "Well, I saw you talking to her just now," the man said, "So you must know her good enough. Can you get me an in?"

  "Excuse me?" Aria asked disgusted, not hiding it from her face, "You know she has a boyfriend right?"

  "Yeah, sure she does," the man chuckled, glancing at the group of friends talking with each other, "Has to be for show. I'm sure she has something on the side."

  "Excuse you?!" Aria spat.

  While this stranger was keeping Aria from the group, Kousuke had been keeping an eye on them.

  The man had been trying to find a way to talk with Aster all night. He was caught staring at her hours ago and a few times after, and the group made sure to keep tabs on him.

  It wasn't uncommon for random people to try and talk with them so they could talk to Aster.

  A handful of the time it's just a fan wanting to compliment her. Or tell her how cute she and Steve are together.

  A few times, it was someone trying to sell Aster a product for her to advertise.

  The majority of the time it's men trying to hit on her.

  When Kousuke noticed the man talking to Aria, the Radiant User kept watch. The group knew how to handle intruders, but did Aria?

  Because of that, Kousuke paid close attention in case he was needed.

  Curiosity was answered when Aria's face showed disgust and her eyes glowed. Whatever she snapped at the man, made him flinch away.

  He must not have liked being yelled at by the way he squared his shoulders.

  Jabbing his finger in her face, Kousuke quickly stood up, ready to speed over.

  The sudden action startled the group, and when they saw him looking off they followed Kousuke's gaze.

  Having been berated for a second too long, Aria grabbed a drink as a waiter passed by. Throwing the drink in the man's eyes, he let out a yell and stepped back.

  "Take a damn hint you walking Q-Tip!" Aria snapped, finally able to walk around the man.

  "Hey!" the creep snapped, grabbing Aria by the arm.

  That was all Kousuke needed to see and rushed over. His twin and Jason were right behind him and Aster quickly texted her security.

  "Don't put your hands on me!" Aria yelled, slapping the man across the face.

  The force of the slap made him let go of Aria. Disorienting him a bit thanks in part to the amount of alcohol he consumed earlier.

  Once the room was done spinning, he charged at Aria. Until Kousuke and Jason rushed in front of her. Each grabbed the man by his shirt collar and pushed him far away from the Terra User.

  "We got a problem here?" Kousuke snarled, double halos growing in his blue eyes.

  While the Radiant and Pyro User handled the intruder, Kouya gently guided Aria away by her shoulders.

  "Are you ok?" Kouya asked, looking at her arm for any bruises.

  "I'm fine," Aria assured, "His grip is as soft as his ego."

  "Come on, Aster already contacted security," Kouya informed, walking with Aria back to their friends, "Kousuke and Jason have this under control until they get here."

  Thanks to Kousuke being a Radiant User, the man was too scared to move. What if Kousuke decided to use his "divine" magic to smite him?

  "Are you ok Aria?" Tommy asked worried.

  "Yeah, he was just a loser," Aria answered with a wave of her hand, taking a seat by Tommy, "Am I going to experience that kind of harassment being your Gardner?" Aria asked Aster.

  "Yeah, sorry, it's a weird clause in all my contracts that friends and loved ones take on some suffering due to my fame," Aster joked.

  "Hmm, you may need to find a new Gardner," Aria apologized, scrunching up her nose.

  "Nope, to take backsies," Aster said, sipping her drink.

  The group shared a chuckle until they spotted security.

  Three burly men made their way over to Kousuke and Jason. They were still keeping the troublemaker away. A few times he tried escaping but the two best friends would just grab him again. Keeping him in place.

  The tallest of the security guards walked up to Kousuke. Talking to each other before Jason shoved the trespasser to the two other guards.

  Before he could run off, they quickly grabbed him and escorted him away. Allowing Kousuke and Jason to return to the group.

  "Thanks for helping me guys," Aria told Kouya, Kousuke, and Jason.

  "Anything for a damsel in distress," Jason teased, giving Aria a huge grin and wink.

  Looking at Jason, Aria smiled sweetly at him. Reaching across, she gave his knee a few pats, turning his grinning lips into a confused line.

  "Bless your heart," Aria said kindly.

  That was the wrong time for Steve to take a sip of his drink. A chuckle rose up, making the liquid get caught in the middle of his throat, causing Steve to choke.

  Startled by her boyfriend's choked chuckle, Aster looked at him confused.

  The Pyro User looked at Aria like a deer in headlights.

  "Come on Aria, he ain't know any better," Steve chuckled between coughs.

  Snorting at the slight twang Steven put in his voice, Aria took a sip of her drink.

  "Oh my Goddess, is this Southern speak?" Aster asked annoyed, looking between the two.

  "Just a little babe," Steve chuckled, putting his thumb and pointer finger close together.

  "Hey, wait, what did you say to me?" Jason asked, confused more than ever now.

  "Don't bother Jason," Aster said, waving the matter away, "Just know that if someone from the south says something nice, they might be calling you dumb."

  "You were calling me dumb?!" Jason asked Aria so fast his words pushed together.

  "What, little me? Never!" Aria feigned shock, looking at Jason with big doe eyes.

  "I don't believe you," Jason grumbled.

  "Smart choice," Aria said, copying Jason's grin and wink.

  That earned a snicker from Kousuke. Who received a glare from Jason and all the Radiant User did was smirk at him.

  "What was it like growing up in a small town like Hueco Aldea?" Kouya asked.

  "It's amazing," Aria smiled, "I mean, you do have to deal with small-town gossip, 'cause nothing happens there," she explained, "Not a lot happening is the best part. It makes it easy to relax and just breathe. We're one of the number-one spots for weddings because of our vintage buildings and the few ranches that were converted to venue halls. My moms' got lucky and were able to get a plot of land and build our home on it just on the outskirts of the city limits."

  "Sounds like a fairytale," Tommy sighed, "Didn't you say you lived by some woods that you would explore?" they asked and Aria nodded.

  "It's like your moms' knew you were going to be a Terra User," Kousuke joked.

  "Do you miss living in a small town?" Jason asked.

  "Sometimes," Aria confessed, "I'm going camping in a few weeks to take a break from city life."

  "I could never sleep in a tent in the middle of nowhere," Aster said with a shiver.

  "Neither can I," Aria laughed, "I'm gonna be staying in a cabin. There is no way I'm sacrificing electricity, hot water, and a private bathroom."

  "That, I could do," Tommy agreed.

  Everyone, but Steve, followed in sweet.

  "Well, if ya'll wanna keep me company, you're welcome to join. It's a three-bedroom cabin," Aria offered.

  "How did you swing that?" Steve asked surprised.

  "It's my Aunt's," Aria answered, "She's a Hydro User and likes the lakes near here, so as an anniversary gift, my Uncle bought a plot of land that included a lake and built a cabin by it."

  "Your Aunt likes lakes, so instead of taking her to one, your Uncle bought her one?" Kousuke asked, with an archbrow and smirk.

  "Yep!" Aria answered, smiling at him, "My Uncle is extra if you couldn't tell."

  "Noted," Kousuke chuckled, "When are you leaving?" he asked.

  "On the thirteenth, you wanna come?" Aria asked.

  "Yeah, I'll go, you coming Kouya?" Kousuke asked his twin.

  "I should be able to if that's ok?" Kouya asked Aria unsure.

  "Of course!" Aria beamed, "If you guys really wanna come, you should! The lake is beautiful and warm around the time I'm going! There's also this cave I wanna check out! It's supposed to have one of the rarest flowers in it!"

  "Cave crawling? Sounds cool, count me in!" Jason beamed.

  "I'm in, sounds fun," Tommy agreed, then added, grinning at Jason, "Plus, I need to make sure this idiot stays alive."

  "Hey!" Jason protested, and Tommy stuck their tongue at him.

  "Wanna experience what country life would be like with modern-day technology?" Steve asked Aster.

  Ready to say 'no', Aster paused when she saw Steve's yellow eye shining with a puppy dog pout. The only thing that Steve knows she can't turn down.

  Rolling her eyes, Aster smiled at him before confirming she would join the trip. Earning her a kiss on the cheek.

  Buzzing with excitement, Aria took a sip of her drink to ground herself. So happy to share this experience with her new friends.

  It was going to be amazing!

  The joyous feeling Aria received from this group of friends was infectious. It was smooth and bubbly at the same time.

  All something that Aria hadn't felt in a long time since coming to Ligera.