The tangled emotions Effaced brought me were washed away with the sight of a familiar face. Adam wore a maroon suit with a black undershirt. The lack of a tie made Adam appear nearly casual. Well, as casual as the upper-class boy could attempt. His brown hair was slicked back as usual, and he wore a half smile in greeting.

"Adam, you're here. What a surprise!" I said as I beamed at him. All the little worries that grew in my chest evaporated upon the sight of him.

"I hope it's not a bad time," Adam said with a touch of regret on his face. "I meant to come sooner. It just wasn't possible."

"Your uncle came over. He told me there was a family emergency." I said as I reevaluated Adam. He didn't look injured or out of sorts. Did his father go through some difficulty? Come to think of it, I haven't heard anything about his mother or if he has siblings.

"My…sister," Adam said with great difficulty, and I clutched the door. "She's fine now, but things were uncertain."

"So you have a sister," I said thoughtfully. Was I a bad friend for not knowing this? Or am I too used to dominating the conversation, and it was never brought up?

"Only recently… It's complicated, but we're family now." There was warmth in his gaze as he said this.

So, a new sister? Instantly, my brain rushed toward how a wealthy family welcoming a new child could become complicated. Countless stereotypical storylines ran through my head. At the top of that list was an illegitimate sibling. Instead of asking, I kept my mouth shut.

"I always wanted a sister," I said with a wry smile. What I got was a fuddy-duddy, Gus. "Were you happy to meet her?"

Adam's expression was blank for a second before he gave a slow nod and said, "When I was younger, I wanted nothing more than a sibling. If I had one, maybe there wouldn't be much pressure, but she isn't what I expected ." Adam said as his eyes swirled with regret and something else I couldn't identify.

"Tell me later?" I asked, unsure how to navigate this new facet of our friendship. Another day, I would ask Adam about his family. His expression seemed entangled with it; maybe later would be better when things weren't so fresh.

"Soon. Right now, I still need to process how I feel." Adam said as he ran a hand through his hair, and I watched, fascinated by how he mussed it up. He must really be conflicted to do that to his hair. I reached out with a smile to grab his free hand. Adam squeezed it, and I squeezed back.

"I get it. Family is complicated." I said with a small smile. Oh wait, I forgot one of the most important things, "Wait, what's her name?" I asked with a sheepish smile, "I should have asked you sooner."

Adam opened his mouth, but Wyatt, the interloper, started yelling from the upstairs hallway. "Wendy, what's taking you so long? Are you putting together snacks or something?"

I groaned as soon the thunderous chorus of Wyatt and Nips came barreling down the stairs. Per usual, when Wyatt was over, Nips became his conjoined twin. The two looked at Adam and me with identically surprised expressions. Nips stayed glued to Wyatt instead of greeting Adam or even myself. Damn, he might as well be Wyatt's dog.

I moved to pull my hand free so I could stomp up to Wyatt, but Adam's grip on my hand tightened. That grip stopped me from taking more than a step, and I looked back at Adam. The vulnerability from before was gone, and in its place was a polite mask.

The two hadn't had another chance to meet in the previous six months. I had certainly complained about the loss of Nip's affection and Wyatt's antics enough for Adam to know Wyatt well. Adam had yet to meet Lucia or Lucas, though. Today may be the perfect day for that to change.

"Are you staying, or did you just come by to talk?" I scanned Adam's eyes as I asked him this.

"Staying," Adam said, then looked past me at Wyatt and Nips. "You weren't joking, Nips really does love Wyatt."

I made a sour face at that. "Why'd you have to remind me?" I said with some difficulty.

"Hi, I'm Wyatt. We haven't met properly." Unable to remain ignored, Wyatt stepped forward to shake Adam's hand.

Once again, I tried to drop Adam's hand, but he didn't let go. I gave him a look, but he disregarded it as he used his other hand to shake Wyatt's. How strangely precocious this interaction was.

"I'm Adam," Adam said with a polite smile. The two looked amicable while I looked cross. Why am I stuck in this odd position next to these two? I wiggled my fingers, and Adam squeezed back. He met my gaze with mischief in his eyes. What a poop.

"We were just about to play a game. Join us?" I asked Adam, and he gave a little nod.

"Well, let's go upstairs to play then. What game did you guys pick?" I turned to ask Wyatt, more than a bit curious about the games of this world. They all sounded similar to the ones from mine, but each had a unique twist.

"We picked Gaolbreak," Wyatt said with a gleeful wiggle of his brows. Nips yipped in either agreement or for attention, regardless of why Wyatt reached down to stroke his fur.

"You band of miscreants," I said with a grin.

"Who else is here?" Adam asked and I mentally oopsy.

"Lucia and Lucas, her brother. They came over for a surprise visit with Wyatt." I gave a few more details about them as we headed up the stairs. I told Adam about them, right? Or did I forget that?

"I remember what you told me about them," Adam said reassuringly. It was as if he could hear my worries, or maybe I carried them on my face.

We made quick work up the stairs, Wyatt leading the charge. "We're back and with an Adam!" Wyatt announced loudly as he burst open the door. Nips barked along with Wyatt as the two barged into the room.

Lucia looked up, sweeping a stray lock of hair behind her hair as it fell. Her smile paused as she took in the presence of Adam. I watched her eyes examine him. Her eyes looked him up and down before dipping to Adam's intertwined hand with mine.

Awareness of her eyes and Lucas's on this heated up my cheeks as I once again moved to drop Adam's hand. This time, he let go, and I quickly moved to sit down next to Lucia.

"You're going to have to explain the rules," I said as I looked at the board that had been set up. It sure looked cheery and safe for a kid-friendly game about being a criminal.

Adam and Wyatt sat down as Lucia explained the rules. To my annoyance, Wyatt took the empty seat next to me. Adam then sat across from me. Lucas came over and took the final open seat next to Adam. Nips laid on Wyatt's feet, and I looked away to take in the rules.

Gaolbreak was as explained before, but you took turns using cards.

"It's like the game, sorry," I muttered under my breath. But instead of just moving your pawns to the end, you were trying to escape.

"Like what now?" Wyatt leaned in to whisper loudly in my ear. I pushed at him, shoving him away from me. I ignored his jester cackle and met Lucia's eyes.

"How are we deciding the order of turns? I asked as I grabbed one of the pink pawns.

"The game's rules say the order goes by age. Youngest goes first." Adam was holding the rules sheet as he said this.

"Lucia and I are thirteen. Wyatt is fourteen." Lucas spoke up, and I grinned, smelling victory. I get to go first!

"I'm thirteen as well," Adam said, returning my smile with a small one of his own.

"Yes!" I stood up, cheering shamelessly at being the youngest. "I'm twelve!" I said as I looked at Adam.

"One can certainly believe you're the youngest." Wyatt's voice tickled my ears, and I turned to see him smirking.

"At least I act my age," I said with a prim sniff as I sat down to grab the three other pink pawns.

Lucia, always the peacekeeper, looked at Adam, "When's your birthday? I share a birthday with Lucas, and it's February 3rd."

"My birthday is-" Wyatt started to interject, but I shoved a throw pillow over his mouth.

"You're the oldest. We don't need to know it." I snipped at him before looking to hear Adam's response. I wanted to know when his birthday was. How could we be friends for so long without my knowing this? Today, I learned the actual details of his life. I failed as a friend, and it was time to change that.

"My birthday is December 31st." Adam looked at Lucia as he said this, which gave me time to mentally mark down that date.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

"We'll have to do something around then for it," Lucia said with a soft smile, and I joined in with a bright yes. It kinda sucked that she beat me to the punch, but regardless, we needed to do something for Adam.

Adam looked at me, "When's your birthday, Wendy?"

I looked away from everyone as I said. "Oh, it's already passed. It was in March." My actual birthday was today. Wendy's, on the other hand, had already passed. Technically, I was right on both accounts. My chest stung at the realization I would have to celebrate in secret. I was fortunate everyone gathered here today. It would have been a lonely day otherwise.

It was also great that this world kept to the same twelve-month calendar as mine. Of course, it was created by an author, so it made sense that it was similar. This world didn't have horoscopes based on a star sign. Instead, their system was quite simple. They divided people up by the time of day they were born. It took Morning Bird to a whole new level since many people born in the morning would not identify that way.

"I read in a book once that the month and date you were born determines your personality. This horoscope depends on when the stars aligned when you were born." I said, attempting to change the subject. I could teach them this since the writer of this world lazily slapped them in the same solar system when creating this world.

"Is it accurate?" Lucia asked.

"I'm a Pisces if it is. Their symbol is two swimming fish." I made an attempt to draw this in the air and pucker my lips to gulp at the air.

"What about March 24th?" Wyatt asked as he bonked me with the same pillow I tried to smother him with.

"An Aries. The symbol is a ram." I said, then watched as Wyatt's chest pumped up at my words, and I rolled my eyes at him. He certainly fit the headstrong, active type. "Aries are confident natural born leaders."

"You and your brother would be the water bearers, aka Aquarius." I grabbed Lucia's hands and smiled. "You bear with a lot of other people's stuff. But also are clever, kind, and intellectually innovative. "

"And Adam would be Capricorn. The symbol for a Capricorn is a sea goat. Which is symbolic of how Capricorns have good IQ and EQ capabilities. Another cardinal sign like Aries, so a real leader type." I grinned at Adam.

"What about October's horoscope?" Adam's question threw me, and I blinked at him, pulling my hand away from Lucia. I wrapped a hand around my midsection.

"It depends on what part of October. Technically, two overlap with that." Who did Adam know that was born in October? His new sister?

Before I could ask, Adam was already talking, "The end of October, right before the end of the fourth week."

I paused before saying, "That would make them a Scorpio." Like me. I added the second part silently in my head. I looked down at the board game and started to place my pink pawns in their designated cell space.

"What are Scorpios like?" Wyatt's question ripped my attention to him. He shrugged at me when I shot him a look, "It's the only one you didn't go into detail for."

They're the best sign, I almost blurted out. Instead, I silenced that thought and said, "A Scorpio tends to be independent, stubborn, and curious. Although they can hold a grudge forever, they're one of the most loyal signs."

"What is their symbol?" Adam asked this, and I looked at everyone's face. Of all the horoscopes, why were we focusing on the one no one technically had in this room.

"A scorpion, but according to many astrologists, they're also the phoenix." I smiled as I said this. There was a reason why every witch in my family was born at the same time of year without fail. The magical power that granted us so much was due to our familial connection with one unique creature, the phoenix. It was very fitting to be called a phoenix witch.

"We can go into this later. Let's play. Be prepared to lose." I urged everyone to move on, and luckily, the conversation shifted.

While I watched Lucia decimate Wyatt and send one of his pawns back to its cell, I sunk into my thoughts.

The Keeper on the box Effaced couldn't be the Keeper I heard of in passing. My Grandma prayed to that Keeper, and their name wasn't Mordecai. Was it just a coincidence and the name of a company? Even as I hoped, I knew it was fruitless. That box contained magic from my world.

I came in second place, sadly. Adam, of course, came in first. He had top-shelf luck. Lucia came second to last, with Wyatt taking third. Lucas sweetly forfeited so his sister wouldn't fall to last.

The visiting trio, plus Adam and myself, ate some snacks as we talked further.

Sadly, it was getting late, and the trio needed to go. Wyatt and Nips ran outside to play and say goodbye while Lucas cleaned up our mess in my library. I was still determining where Adam went as we dispersed, and soon, it was just Lucia and me in the kitchen. Of course, Grandpa Evans wasn't too far in his usual seat watching a strange Nigerian comedy show.

"Keep the games here so that next time we can play some more," Lucia told me as she wiped up the counter before her. I'd tried to stop the girl, but she shooed me off so she could clean.

"I'll ask Grandpa Evans tonight about you guys staying here overnight. It was originally mentioned in my deal with Wyatt, but even without the help on the farm, I'd like that." I said.

"I hope he says yes," Lucia whispered fervently, and I nodded.

"Are you guys coming over on Monday then?" I asked her, catching myself in time from slipping my unfinished cup into my space. Dang, if it went into the space, that delicious last few sips would be kept hot.

"Yes." Lucia helped me finish cleaning the kitchen, and soon, we were all outside saying goodbye. Well, everyone but Adam, who was still suspiciously absent.

"Goodbye, friend," Wyatt said with a tireless grin as he used his height to pat my head.

"Goodbye, friend," I said as I reached to flick his forehead. He dodged at the last second, and soon, it turned into me trying to chase him down to flick his forehead.

Lucia broke it up, and soon, I was waving at the trio while they entered the forest.

Now, it was time to go find Adam. Where was he?

I found Adam in my room, of all places. He was seated at my desk, and I quickly looked over my room. Crap, he saw the messy state it was in. Once again, my bed wasn't made, and things scattered here and there on the floor.

Adam looked up at my entrance, and I gave a smile. "They left." I moved closer to him as I spoke to see what he was looking at. I wasn't sure what I left on my desk. Organization of the physical world wasn't my priority when I laid my head down at night. Testing and strengthening my powers meant I was lucky to not faint when I was done most of the time.

My plans for the Evans home were off my desk. Those were turned into Willaim, who was still working on the homestead or scrapped because I didn't know what I was doing.

What was the last thing I wrote at the desk? Random scribblings between the lines of my attempt to translate my world's language with the variation of English Wendy's world utilized. My chicken scratch was barely legible, so I doubted Adam could read and understand it. I never needed to write as a literary witch. With a wave of my hand, my thoughts could appear as letters before me. I always thought Gus was strange for choosing to write out what he wanted. Maybe he was onto something…if someone was going to take a look at what you wrote, you need to be able to actually write.

So, it was lucky that my writing was unreadable. Adam shattered this thought with his words in the next heartbeat. "Who is Gus?" Adam held up a piece of paper as he asked me this.

I took the sheet and saw that I wrote, "Suck it, Gus." As the title of an Ode to my brother. The title is always one of the essential lines of any work. It was also the one line that I made bold and readable. I attempted to bite back a chuckle but failed. I looked away from Adam as a laugh spilled from my lips. "Oh, it's nothing." I managed to say this in between my laughter. Luckily, my terrible handwriting was in my language, making it harder to understand.

Adam leveled me a look, and I made a face, and soon, I felt compelled by his boss' energy to spill.

However, I managed to maintain my secrecy and said, "Gus is short for vagus. You know, like in the body." I looked down at the sheet, avoiding Adam's eyes.

I heard a soft chuckle, and my eyes shot up to see Adam smiling. "Are you creating a language or translating?" Adam asked as he gestured to the paper on my desk.

"A bit of both." I shrugged as I put Gus' ode back on the desk. "Are you leaving soon or…" Can you stay the night? I stopped myself short of asking Adam that.

"Can I stay the night? We talked about it before." Adam was looking at the desk as he asked me this.

"It would be a lot of fun if you did. And I do owe you one." I said as I sat on my bed and swung my legs excitedly.

"I'll phone for some clothes and food to be delivered." Adam pulled out a satellite phone to do that, and I left my room to talk to Grandpa Evans.

Unsurprisingly, Grandpa Evans didn't have an opinion on Adam staying over. By the time I reentered my room, Adam was off the phone.

"So what should we do?" Adam had a twinkle in his eyes as he looked at me.

"Goalbreak round two?" I said with a wicked grin.

We played a few more rounds, and much to my dismay, I lost each time. We only took a game break when Adam's clothing was dropped off. Along with the clothes was a bundled-up meal for all of us to enjoy.

The food was spread out on the table, and I stared in wonder at all the dishes I couldn't name in sight. I wiggled in my seat as the scents from the delicacies washed over me. Even Grandpa Evans had an eager glint in his gaze as he joined us at the table.

I loaded Grandpa Evans' plate first by taking a bit of everything the spread offered. When it came time to fill my plate, I did the same. There were noodles and veggies, spiced and diced in ways I'd never seen before. I found myself drooling a little bit but had the grace to look at Adam to thank him.

"It's my turn to feed you," Adam responded with a slight smile on his lips.

My mouth was too full to respond properly, but I gave a thumbs up in thanks. This delightful explosion of flavors could only be bought with the most expensive of tastes. It was all so good!

The highlight of all the tasty food was the finale. Bite-sized desserts offered us half a dozen variations.

I stared at the lemon tarts that appeared on the table as I slowly swallowed my last dinner bite. Those lemon tarts looked like the one from my dream. I reached for one and brought it up to my nose to sniff. It even smelled like it. I took a chunk out of it and marveled at the sweetened sour that coated my tongue. The cream from the rose topping had a charred covering that deepened the flavor. I made a noise before downing the last of the bite.

"The tart is that good?" Adam's question drew me out of my thoughts.

I raised my head to meet his eyes. My tone turned sheepish. "I had a dream you brought these before. They looked just like this one but were in a box. Like the box the cookies were in."

"They were made by the same chef. Maybe that's why you dreamt it." Adam said nonchalantly, and I peeked at him. How was he not bothered by my talk of magic or dreams? It was strange for such a logical kid.

"They looked exactly like these tarts, though. And there was a cherry one for Grandpa Evans." I said before darting my eyes to look at Grandpa Evans. He was happily munching on a cherry one.

Prophetic dream or happenchance? I guess it was just one visit off.

"That could be, or you just really like lemon tarts." Adam's voice interrupted my thoughts, and I laughed. I must have started talking out loud. Oops.

"It's possible; I love almost anything lemon," I said with a little shrug as I popped the rest of the tart into my mouth.

After the lovely grub, we went on a walk around the property. Molly and Nips greeted us and soon joined us on our merry walk.

There were many new things to show off, but walking around after all that food was still good. When we were done, we said goodbye to the pups and headed upstairs to the study. Old Tom greeted us, and I gave his little head some extra love.

"I have some homework due tomorrow," Adam said, and I tsked mentally. Not even during a sleepover could he spend a whole night being a kid?

"I'll just sit here and read a little." I smiled brightly in an attempt to reassure Adam. I watched Adam sit on the floor to use the coffee table as a desk. I should have brought in a desk for the library, huh. I lounged on the sofa behind him, looking up occasionally to see his head make little movements as he wrote. That was how an average person wrote. How the heck could Gus be so stiff. I shook off the mean thoughts about Gus and returned to my book.

Unknowingly, this night would mark the first of several nights we sat in companionable silence, each of us doing our own thing.