OOC: I'd just like to say that I've loved this story for VERY long and it was one of my proudest stories. I've skidded in and out of The Host every few years and its been even longer since I've been solid on . This is the start of me trying to get back onto it, so I need all the pushing I can get. If you like it, please review and more importantly, subscribe. Thank you.

I was a soul. I didn't belong in these caves, but apparently I was wrong. Mel loved me. Jamie loved me. Jared loved me (sort of). Jeb loved me. But most of all, Ian loved me.

But, looking around the home I now share with all the people I love, I feel different. Human, one could say. I had feelings, I had friends, I had restraint, and I had hearts to warm. I tell my stories to stretch smiles.

They even try to stretch my smile, despite my protests. And even though I expect it now, I never really do. A flower from Ian (How did he know I loved white cala lillies?), a hug from Jamie (One of my favorite gifts), and a birthday party from well...everyone.

I'm a soul, souls don't celebrate the year they were born and neither had any of the planets I had visited. Humans were the first. Maybe it was an instinct? An element of survival? Not to say "I'm one year older.", but "I made it one more year." It might explain why I don't feel attracted to the whole concept.

But Melanie's too stubborn to ever listen. So, suprise birthday party it was.

It was the biggest event I'd ever seen in the caves. The entrance to the dining hall was painted in balloons and streamers. With a big "Happy 18th" banner hanging waaaay above my head. Every single person gathered inside, ready to celebrate for me. I was in disbelief.

"Thanks everyone," I tried to shout, though it was quieter. More like a release of air than a shout. But the gesture was there.

I was approached by my immidiate family in the caves: Melanie, Ian, and Jared. I cuddled myself into Ian's mucsles, until Mel pulled me out into her own arms for a hug. This hug was different, but I liked it just as much.

"CAKE TIME!" the kids started chanting. Jamie joined in. For being 16 himself now, he was still just a big kid. Though after seeing him guard me with a gun, this was wonderful. He was finally starting to enjoy himself again with Mel here. He stared back at me begging with big puppy eyes.

"Alright, lets get some cake."

The cake was vanilla and was frosted with sparkly silver icing. It had silver strands coming from it. It was quite impressive, considering we couldn't even grow half the ingrediants for cake. Though I felt a little bad slicing into it, even if it was a derpy clone of a real soul. But it was delicious.

Next up was the presents, though all I really needed was my friends.

From Sunny and Kyle (Mostly Sunny) was a pair of new sundresses. One had a dazzling sunflower design that sparkles like my eyes and the other that blossomed with cherries.

From Melanie, a photo album filled with pictures she had snapped at times I didn't even know existed. Times of us laughing, playing, and just being sisters. It made my eyes just scrolling through it. Though I'd have to look through it again later.

But the one person I didn't get a gift from was Ian. Not that I needed a gift from anyone, but out of anyone, I thought Ian would be the one to give one.

But as the day went on, it slipped my mind. We had some dances, had some fun, and even had some drinks. But we eventually had to get back to work. Holidays can't last forever in the caves. Besides, I was glad to get back to work.

That was until Mel dragged me off.

"Shouldn't we be in the fields right now?" I asked her, but she just shook it off.

"Nope, Ian has a suprise for you."