A/N: *stirs from a hundred years of sleep* Woah. Have I been out that long? Nope. I guess not. Nobody can live (and sleep) that long anymore – if you don't count Sleeping Beauty.

Anyway here I am from my looong hiatus. At first I hesitated in writing this. But then I thought, "Oh come on, you're only creative once!" But then I realized that I have never been creative in my life. Not really. Not exactly. Let's just say that this is the result of an impulse to write and of having a very wild imagination.

Oh and if you happen to be interested with the story below please leave a review. And if you have questions, or suggestions don't hesitate to p.m. me.

P.S. I don't know if there would be lemons in the story since in my mind Jamie is still a child – even if he does happen to be sixteen in my story, he's still a minor but there could be. It's Rated M because I'm pretty sure there would be character death. Questions for readers: How old was Jamie when Melanie and Wanda found him in the cave with the others?

~ xXx ~

Luna's POV

They say sight is the most important sense of all. I disagree with people who say seeing is everything but on the other hand, if I would be given the chance to exchange with people who has the ability to see physically I wouldn't hesitate to exchange with said people. You could say that I'm being a hypocrite but that's just how it works. If you were a blind person like me, you'd want to see. See the glorious sunrises and vivid sunsets. See the mystical patterns of a butterfly's wings. See the face of the person you love.

I don't believe though that sight is something that you can't live without. It's not the only thing that helps you identify a person. It's through the heart that you really know what that person's like. And a certain situation helped me understand that you really can 'see' a person not just with your eyes but also with your heart. I can say that being blind made me realize you can still be loved even though you are imperfect in a way.

Jamie's POV

"Happy birthday Jamie!" chorused of all the people in the cave. I idly noted how small our population had become through the years. Not just in our group but in the other human communities out there who are suffering the same problems we're having. With our stock of food decreased by half, Jared and the others would have to go out again for a raid. Same with the medicines. And we have to be careful in getting souls now since the seekers have been doing frequent patrols near our place. Many were frightened of course. They didn't want the souls anywhere near us and doing those patrols. They were afraid of being noticed and caught. But today is a special day – my birthday. A day to be celebrated, no fear and all fun. At least I hope so.

I smiled and blew the makeshift cake – a tray filled with sixteen chocolate cupcakes topped with a candle in each cake. Everyone clapped and I felt embarrassed. Geez, they were applauding me for blowing candles while Jared and the others haven't received any when they return from a raid with food and other necessities. Sometimes, I don't get what's in the minds of these people.

I sat down hardly believing that I turned sixteen today. Sixteen and still in a world that's been terrorized by aliens. If Melanie had told me about this when I was five I'd be laughing at her nonstop. But now my reaction would be so different.

"Jamie? You okay Jamie?"

I started and looked around to see that it was Ian. "Yeah. I just can't believe that I'm sixteen now I guess."

"Well everybody - even you have to grow up eventually," Melanie butted in. Jared chuckled.

I frowned. "What do you mean by 'even me'?"

Melanie looked at me with wistful eyes. "Jamie, you were still so small when we were young and uninhabited."

Uninhabited was the term she used when describing Earth as a soul – free planet so as to not hurt Wanda with her usual words like 'barged' or 'terrorized'. It was like euphemism for her.

"And now, well look at you. You've grown taller, your arms are longer and your face is more mature. I hate to think that you're not my little brother anymore," she finished.

I grinned. "I'll always be little to you huh?"

She smiled in return. "Always."

"Well look who's gotten mushier," Kyle said. He was carrying two paper plates filled with spaghetti and was getting some bread from our place. The table was designed like a self – service catering.

Mel's face went sour. "Look who's still got an appetite of four people," Melanie said as she eyed the two paper plates Kyle was carrying.

"This is for Sunny. She already wasted food when she slipped at the other end of the table a while ago. I ask you, who slips at a cave floor?" Kyle asked bemusedly.

"Sunny is a fragile soul Kyle. Learn to have patience with her," Wanda said. "Is she alright though? This floor isn't what I'd call soft."

"Yeah. She's sitting over there with Lily and Heidi," Kyle answered casting a glance at Sunny. Although he tried to hide it, I think I've seen the adoration when he looked at her. Same with Ian and Wanda. And definitely with Jared and Mel.

It struck me as odd and unusual that people and souls alike could fall in love even in these conditions with so many tragedies and problems.

It didn't matter that Wanda was different and practically an enemy; Ian still loved her. Even though Melanie was not Melanie anymore and she was a host to a soul, it didn't matter to Jared; he still believed that she was there and loved her continuously.

I guess that's the key. No matter how many problems you have and how difficult they are, it'll always feel light if you have a partner who would be there for you through the problems.

I felt a sudden pang. What about me? Would I find 'the one' for me? The one who's supposed to spend the rest of her life with me?

I heard a loud thud and saw that a brown package was sitting in front of me. "What's this?"

I looked at a tall frame that was Uncle Jeb and he just smiled. "I figured you could use some new pillows and blankets."

I smiled and whooped gaily. "No way! You did? Sweet! Thanks Uncle Jeb!"

"Woah woah Mister," Melanie tutted. "This one's from us. Since Jared is so good with raids, ours is probably the best present you'll be getting." Melanie winked at Jared who laughed heartily.

Their present skidded in front of me. It was wrapped in yellow pad paper. I raised my eyebrows. "Your grade with the present is still unknown but with the wrapping I'll give you a D minus."

Melanie scowled and said, "It was the only paper I've got so don't be choosy."

Ian patted me on the shoulder and said, "Wanda did the wrapping so we'll get an A plus plus right?"

Their present landed in front of me and it was wrapped in blue gift – wrap. I laughed. "Yes. You definitely get an A plus plus."

"Where did you get that Wanda?" Jared asked Wanda curiously.

"Oh I have my ways," Wanda said mysteriously.

"That was so unfair Wanda. Getting gift – wraps by stealth," Mel muttered. "Anyway open our gifts now."

"Mel don't boss the birthday boy around. I'll open them later when I'm all alone in my room. Aaron isn't here right? So I'll have the room to myself tonight," I said. "But it's still weird that you didn't accompany them Jared."

"They're just patrolling – like the seekers. They promised to stay in the perimeter. They won't be out for an hour," Jared said smoothly but I could sense that he was uneasy. He looked at his watch and paled. "I changed my mind. Melanie, I'm going for Aaron and the others. I have a bad feeling about this."

"What? Then I'm going too!" Melanie protested.

"Mel, don't be stubborn. I'll find them and bring them home," Jared said firmly.

"But – "

"Be here for Jamie. It's his birthday," Jared continued.

Melanie slumped in resignation. I felt a pang again because something in her actions told me that she wanted to be with Jared and not with me. Shut up. She's just worried about him.

"Jeb, I'll be back in a while," said Jared.

"Be careful Jared," Uncle Jeb answered. He sat down in Jared's chair and talked with Melanie in an undertone.

"Well, Jared will be back in a few. I'm sure of it," Wanda said confidently.

"Yeah. He always does. I'm more worried for the others," Ian said.

"He'll bring them back," Wanda said as she took hold of Ian's hands and lightly massaged them.

At that moment I felt alone. I was beside myself with worry as I always was when I feel like our community was threatened. All the others who heard Jared were worried too but unlike them, I had no one to share my worry. I was alone. I tore the yellow pad paper and saw that inside it was an intricately designed picture frame – and a picture of my family from before. Melanie, me, Dad and Mom. The Stryders when we were still whole. I felt the tears coming and I hastily blinked them away.

Happy freaking birthday to me.

~ xXx ~

A/N: How'd I do? Please leave a review. I'd really appreciate it if I had an inkling of how bad or good that was. So. Was that very out of character for Jamie? But in defense to myself Jamie has grown up now and is ready for some looove interest.

Sorry it is so short but I'd like to know if you guys liked it or not. Anyway, that's all for chapter one. Thanks for reading (And reviewing. Hopefully)! :))) Love y'all!