Anna looks at her reflection in the mirror with a frown on her face. It is a special day for her but she looks unhappy instead of delighted for this special occasion. She stares disappointedly at her own face and her eyes travels to her hair. Noticing the girlish green bow on top of her head makes her grimace all the more. The green dress is nice. It's her favorite color. But then she prefers jeans and her regular cotton shirts. However, her Marmee Rose surprises her with this dress. She sighs a bit.

"Why does Marmee insist on making me wear this stupid dress? It's my birthday so am I not allowed to choose what I like to wear?" she exclaims to her reflection, as if it will answer back.

"I think I should change. Popsie will understand. He has always been understanding with what I like." she continues to complain.

She looks back on her morning jogs with her dad. They love the time spent together breathing the fresh morning dew and earthy aromas. They take the trail past the willow tree. Both doesn't mind the early morning chill. It's very relaxing for them. Anna and her Popsie Reed spend their time talking almost about anything. Even her fantasy stories about werewolves, vampires, fairies and other creatures are lengthy topics for their discussions. His dad shares her adventurous personality.

Anna's reflection gave her a wide grin, as if to tease her.

"Marmee is right you know? We should be ladylike, like a true Princess. Besides, that green dress brings out the glow in our green eyes." interrupts her reflection, praising Anna so as to convince her otherwise.

"Well, you and Marmee don't really understand! I wish Jo is here already. She will agree with me better than you!" Anna argues back as if it's a normal thing to discuss with your reflection like that.

With a last frown towards the mirror, Anna rushes out the door as her reflection disappears from the mirror.

Downstairs, Popsie Reed and Marmee Rose are already waiting for Anna. Standing between them is a skinny girl in blue sweater, black jeans and white sneakers. The girl is as tall as Anna but has a little darker shade of skin tone than hers.

Upon seeing Anna going down from her bedroom, the girl smiles widely.

"Happy birthday, Anna! You look really pretty my friend!"

Anna stares at her best friend’s clothes and wishes she was wearing the same as her. However, seeing her friend is enough reason for her to forget how she feels ridiculously awkward with her attire today. She smiles back widely.

"You're here already! What took you so long? I can't start my birthday party without my best friend!" Anna jokingly complains as she gives Jo a tight hug.

They giggle excitedly as if they haven't seen each other for a while when in truth, they were busy early morning helping Marmee Rose make sandwiches.

"Sorry I had to finish some packing of my unused toys and things. My mom says she has to get rid of some stuff too. So, I took some time sorting my things. A bit wrong timing but you know how Mom is when she starts on something, she would not stop until they are done. But I'm here now so let's start the party." Jo replies apologetically, handing Anna a small wooden box.

"I hope you'll like this." She gives her best friend a proud smile. "Popsie and I worked really hard on this very special project for your birthday," she adds.

"Thanks, Jo. Let's eat! I'm hungry already." Anna grabs Jo's hands as she leads her towards the dining table filled with all of her favorite food.

"Marmee you're the best! Thanks for all of these. I love you, heaps!"

"You're most welcome dear. Anything for our little sunshine!" Marmee Rose responds happily.

“By the way Joanna, where is your mom? I prepared so much food which is more than enough for all of us.” Marmee Rose asks.

“Sorry about that Marmee. Mom told me to apologize that she cannot join us today. She went to Aunt Lila’s house. She finds it an urgent matter to bring her extra stuff there today.” Jo replies with humor.

Anna stares at all her favorites; tomato pasta, baked potatoes, cheese bread, garden salad and a lime cake! The cucumber sandwiches that Jo, Marmee and Anna prepared this morning are also enticing Anna to start eating.

"Darling, aren't you going to wait for your other guests to arrive before you start?" Marmee Rose asks.

Anna and Jo look at each other, smiling at the same time. Then Anna replies, "I didn't invite anyone else because I am positive no one else will come anyway. I am totally fine with just me and Jo here!"

Anna shrugs her shoulders to show that it's not a big deal for her. Holding her best friend’s hand, Anna moves closer to the table. Jo lights the green candles on the lime cake. Anna stares at the ten sparkling candles, lost in deep thought.

Jo, the girl who has been her protector from other kids who kept making fun of her too white skin and excessive love for nature, compared to other kids with their gadget games and internet stuff. Jo has been her ally since the day they met in preschool. Her only friend but the best there is.

"Well, whatever the birthday girl likes!" Popsie Reed blurts out gently taking Marmee Rose's hand leading her towards the table.

"Wait, I like to say a little thanks for what Mother Nature has given me for my birthday."

Anna holds one of Jo's hands and reaches out to hold her Marmee Rose's hand while Popsie Reed holds the other and Jo's free hand. They are standing around the table holding hands in a praying position.

"Mother Nature, we thank you for all of this food, which are my favorites by the way. Thank you for my Marmee Rose who worked so hard to prepare them for my birthday. Also, thank you for my Popsie Reed for always taking care of me and Marmee. Lastly, thank you for my very bestest friend Jo, for being here always for me. Thank you for my tenth! Thank you, thank you, thank you and thank you!" Anna excitedly ends. She blows the candle lights and makes a wish. The three applauds and laughs.

Anna hugs Popsie Reed and Marmee Rose at the same time then starts to grab the cucumber sandwiches with Jo after her. Both girls love the same kind of food so they are satisfied to be just the two people to share this delicious spread of food. They savor all the goodies on the table with a contented heart.

Just by observing the girls, it really is such a party already. That is what Anna prefers than spending the day with other kids pretending she enjoys their company. Her tenth birthday is perfect that way. All the people important to her is already here. That’s all she ever wanted. Well of course, she plans to change into more comfortable clothes later when she hangs out with Jo at their tree.

Reed and Rose stand back a little to observe the two girls happily devouring whatever their hands can reach. Apparently, both of them have the same thought. Has it really been ten years since this girl unexpectedly came to their lives? They prayed so hard for this blessing and now they will do anything to make sure she is happy and safe.

Reed kisses Rose's hands as if they were having a silent conversation. Both are wondering if it is time to have that talk with Anna. Is it the time to tell the truth to the baby in the green basket?

"I just can't believe this is happening? Why do you have to go?" Anna laments while hugging her best friend so tight like she will not let go. Jo holds on to Anna as well.

"I'm sorry Anna. I don't want to leave you too. You know how much our friendship means to me but this is for my mom and dad, for our family," Jo starts to explain.

She takes a deep breath and stares around. She blinks several times to keep her tears from falling. Jo doesn't like Anna to see how terribly sad she is feeling right now. She knows it will make things harder for her best friend to say goodbye too if she sees her tears.

Jo looks up to the darkening sky. The weather seems to take a gloomy mood too. It is almost sundown but the sun is as if in a hurry to set.

“It’s getting dark. I think it is about to rain.”

Jo tries to say something casually about the weather as she squints her eyes to the remaining ray of light from the sun.

"Finally, we will all be together. Dad has been away for a long time and I know that makes Mom miserable because we were left here. They have decided that I should grow up here. I should stay in a place where everything is peaceful." She continues.

“Yup this place is going to be a lot quieter without you.” Anna interjects while smirking, in an attempt to tease Jo.

"They spend so much time apart for my sake. Dad's Archaeological job has taken him away from us way too long and now that there's a chance that we can join him in Alaska, we really have to go. I think I ought to give them a chance to be together." Jo takes another deep breath.

She hopes that her speech is as convincing to her friend. She feels she finds it hard to lie to Anna. Growing up together really makes them more like sisters.

"Alaska, huh, imagine me going there? Everything is frozen, not much greens to see. I know I will miss this place a lot and most especially you!" Jo adds in a lighter tone to pacify her friend's sadness, and hers too.

"I know, I know, and I do understand, it's for your family. I am happy that finally you will all be together. I just thought we will graduate together and go to College!" Anna says but now a bit calmer.

"I wonder how you will manage Mathematics?!" she teases Jo once more. Anna grins a bit.

"Great, Anna! Thanks for reminding me! Maybe I will end up flunking my Math subject and they will end up kicking me back here quickly.” Jo replies sarcastically. At least it made her friend smile.

“I will miss you terribly! You always solve my homework. I just get confuse with all those numbers. Dad will surely have me tutored, I guess." Jo replies with a frown. She recalls the endless times Anna patiently explains to her, hoping she will finally get it but fails.

"I will chat with you every day. I know you are not into internet and stuff, but that's the fastest way we can talk to each other! I will miss you every day my bestie," Jo reminds Anna reassuringly.

Anna just nods and gives her friend another tight embrace. Her locket starts to glow. Both break away from their embrace.

“Even my locket misses you already.” Anna takes the locket out to show her friend the pulsing green light from her neck.

“Okay, okay I get the message. Hey, Anna… Stay weird alright?” Jo makes a last attempt to humor her friend.

“Well, you know me? You won’t find anyone in Alaska like me.” Anna retorts back at her with a little giggle.

"Do you still have the key I gave you for your tenth birthday? Keep it with you and keep writing to me every day like I am here. Just put every letter in the wooden box. I will read them when I get back, promise." Jo instructs her, serious once more.

Anna pulls the necklace once again from underneath her green cotton shirt to show Jo the key dangling with her emerald locket. The locket is glowing once more.

She turns around and touches a part of the trunk of the willow tree. Anna pushes a little groove in one part. After her hands found what it's looking for, she places the key to open a secret hole. Then she takes out the wooden box, opens it and takes out a blue paper.

"Here, read this when you miss me there," Anna says as she places the blue paper on her best friend’s hand.

"As for me, I miss you already. Our fifteen years of friendship will see more years to come. Take care of yourself Joanna!" she finishes as she hugs her friend again.

"You take care of yourself too, Arianna! You know what; I might end up reading this even before I reach Alaska. I will come back okay?" Jo promises again.

She folds the blue paper and places it in her jeans' right pocket. From the left one, Jo takes out a green paper.

“Here, I have one for you as well. Read it later.” Jo hands Anna the green folded paper.

"How much time do you have?" Anna inquires, glancing at the road, as far as her eyes can see. Looking at it reminds her how far of a distance her friend's destination will be. Her expression turns into a frown again.

"Actually, a little bit more. Mom and Dad are on their way here now after they leave the keys of our house to Aunt Lila." Jo answers, automatically checking her watch.

Jo stares at the blue door of Anna's house across the street. She seems to be making sure to remember it vividly.

The blue door has never changed its color ever since she can recall. Popsie Reed seems to be attached to that color.

Jo smiles to herself. I miss them already. She cannot count anymore how many times she has slept over their house whenever her Dad and Mom go out on a date when her Dad comes back from Alaska, for a short time for a break from work. Those were precious bonding moments.

Both girls sit under the willow tree, their willow tree. The tree that has been their fortress since they both learned how to climb it. The willow tree has been the silent witness of how their friendship grew. It is their trustworthy keeper of their secrets. Jo stares at the leaves overhead, that she will miss too. She can feel her eyes starting to get wet. She wipes them quickly with her fingers before her friend notices.

Anna and Jo sit in a comfortable silence with each other. Probably both are wondering how different their lives will be far apart from each other. They hold hands the whole time.

After a while, a grey van arrives in front of them. The van feels like a bell tolling to remind the girls of their ticking moments left.

They suddenly snap out from their deep thoughts. Both girls stand slowly, taking their time a bit. Both are still holding on to each other's hand.

Mr and Mrs Daniels walk up to the girls. Reed and Rose emerge from the blue door. They cross the street from their house to see the Daniels' departure.

Olivia Daniels gives Rose a tight embrace after saying, "keep in touch, Rose.”

We are not sure when we will be back because of Mark's job, but we will definitely be missing you all. Thank you for treating Jo like your own daughter."

"Oh, hush, Liv. Anna and Jo are like sisters already."

Rose sniffs, suppressing her tears from falling.

“You are family to us already.” She adds.

Rose hands a pack of sandwiches to Olivia as she says, "For your trip, Jo might get hungry."

Mark Daniels and Reed exchange a steady arm hug, "take it easy out there, man."

Then, that is it for Anna and Jo. They hug, cry and sigh in defeat.

"Goodbye for now," Jo whispers.

"Goodbye for now," Anna whispers back.

Their clasped hands don’t seem to want to separate. But they know it's really time to part for now.

So, right beside the willow tree, Mr and Mrs Rivers, with Anna, watch as the grey van of Mr and Mrs Daniels, with Jo, slowly disappears at the corner of the street.

Suddenly, Anna feels like the weather became colder, lonelier, sadder...

"Goodbye..." someone else seems to whisper. Anna glances at the willow tree.

Anna sits underneath the willow tree with her legs crossed. She is feeling restless though she should be happy for it’s her special day.

"What a birthday..." she sighs disappointedly.

She never thought she will feel so miserable and alone on her sixteenth birthday. Earlier during the day, her Marmee tried convincing her to invite a few of her classmates. She blatantly declined. She would rather be by herself. The single good thing for her today is that Marmee Rose lets her wear her casual clothes.

She misses her best friend so much. It has only been over a year when Jo and her family went to Alaska but it feels like it's been way longer than that.

Jo talks to her every day in the internet but it's really not the same. Her best friend updates her daily and she does too. Although when their conversations finally end, she misses Jo even more. It’s a consolation that her friend is doing well there with her parents. At least one of them is happy.

It is not that she is unhappy with her parents but all her life, Jo has been there for her. Maybe Jo adjusts easier than her. She sighs deeply with that thought. She has to suck it up after all.

She starts rubbing the key dangling, with her locket on her necklace that she never takes off. The key is an additional memento given by Jo, her best friend. It came with a wooden box which she uses to keep her letters for Jo.

As for the emerald locket, she can't remember when she got the necklace but her Marmee told her that she was wearing it since she was an infant. Her Marmee said it’s her natal gift for her.

Anna recalls her tenth birthday when Jo and Anna had such a great time. It didn't matter if Jo was her only guest. That's all she needs, her best friend.

But today, it hurts so much for her to spend this day alone, under their tree, Jo's and hers...like they always say "our willow tree".

Though Jo talked to her from Alaska a few minutes ago, she still feels gloomy. The distance is really hard for her. She wishes that things are simpler like they used too. Well, growing up gets complicated year after year. Maybe that is what she needs to accept.

"Anna, it's getting late. Are you ready to go inside now? You haven't even touched your lime cake." Marmee Rose shouts when she peered from the window.

"You might get cold there!" Marmee adds to remind her.

"Just a few more minutes Marmee!" she hollers back.

"Alright, honey, your Popsie and I are just here okay?" Marmee says with a worried tone.

"My Marmee, she has always been worried about me...not having other friends, not being like the other kids..." Anna talks to herself.

Anna sometimes thinks that even before she feels in a certain way, her Marmee can sense already. All the time she is down, her Marmee knows what to say. Like right now. But somehow, she gets a bit upset that she is like an open book to her Marmee Rose. It is not that she likes to hide her feelings but oftentimes, it worries her Marmee Rose a lot.

This is one of the things she usually does as if it's such an ordinary thing to do. Other kids find it weird when she talks that way. But why will she care about what they think? If only Jo is here...She senses the stress rising from her chest. She feels suffocated.

Anna resumes her sitting position. She sighs, closing her green eyes and placing both her arms on her crossed legs, palms open upward. She takes a few slow and even breaths. She repeats this breathing exercise several times to calm herself. She focuses on her breathing as well as the beating of her heart. Deep in her inner calm, she does not notice her locket glowing underneath her shirt. She stays that way for a while.

Finally, when she feels a bit better, Anna stands up and unlocks a hidden hole with her key and retrieves the wooden box. She reaches in her jeans' pocket and takes out a folded blue paper. This is another addition to her letters for Jo. Popsie Reed was the one who helped Jo to make a hole in the willow tree so Jo will be able to complete her birthday gift for her then.

"Popsie has always known me better. I never had to say anything," Anna blurts out with a smile. Marmee's heart is in the right place but she seems to be always worrying. Why does she feel like Marmee is afraid that something might happen to her?

Unlike her Marmee, her Popsie is the calmer one. Popsie Reed lets Anna join him on his morning jogs along the trail beyond the willow tree. She enjoys hearing the different sounds of nature.

Anna looks at the trail...

For a second, she feels like running away. She is being drawn towards the forest. Anna shakes her head as if to remove the thought. Why would she runaway? Marmee and Popsie will be sad. Maybe she is just yearning for her best friend’s company. Jo is her constant special guest, year after year, her only guest on her birthday. Nobody else matters.

Anna’s attention returns to the wooden box. She stares at the dominance of blue letters from the green ones. This reminds her how long since she got a handwritten letter from her friend. She sighs then returns the box.

Anna climbs to a thicker branch of the willow and starts to sit facing the trail. Though to her surprise, someone else was sitting on the other side of the willow tree. The mysterious intruder is busy drawing on the ground with a stick. She holds back trying to decide what to do next. Should she just go back to the house? She gets a little curious.

From Anna's view, it is a boy, maybe the same age as hers and is wearing a weird kind of brown clothing. Her curiosity gets the best of her.

"Who are you?" Anna enquires from above where she sits. However, she decides to say it calmly so as not to startle him.

The strange boy jumps to his feet startled by Anna's voice. He looks up with a puzzled expression then asks a question instead.

"You can see me?" still in disbelief.

“There goes my subtlety.” Anna exclaims as she stares at the boy with a confused look.

"Of course, I can see you. Do I look blind to you?" she adds.

Anna climbs down the tree and walks towards the boy who's still holding his strange stick, or a staff? Or is it a wand? Anna gapes at the boy again. He is wearing a longsleeved shirt all the way to his hips with pants tucked inside his boots all in the shade of brown. His outfit makes him look like one of the hobbits from the adventure movie Jo and Anna watched, except that he is not barefooted, and of course not as short. But he is definitely good looking. Anna smirks a little.

"I have been coming here a lot since I was young but nobody sees me ever. What are you?" the boy in brown asks suspiciously. He still has not given away anything about himself.

"What do you mean what am I? Do I look like I came from outer space or something? You're the one who looks strange!" Anna retorts, starting to get upset. Anna starts to consider her first thought, which is to leave this strange boy alone. But her interest wins over.

“I live just across the street! There at the house with a very blue door!” she is shouting now and a little flushed already.

“Great, I just pointed to a total stranger where I live! Way to go Anna, just wait for him to strangle you in your sleep…” she babbles on.

“Oh, now I even dropped my name for good measure!” Anna shakes her head ignoring the strange boy for once. She is really deciding to turn her back on him now.

Suddenly, the boy holds out his hand to Anna, "I'm sorry, I did not mean to upset you. I'm Caspian by the way." The strange guy changes his tone, friendlier now.

Anna stares at Caspian's hand still outstretched in front of her. She is debating with herself if she will accept this boy's acquaintance.

Yes, he has a weird appearance because of what he is wearing. But weird is not something new to Anna. Also, he already knows her name and where she lives due to her outburst earlier.

So, what the heck? Anna starts to consider.

"Oh, come on, I apologized already. Can we be friends now?" Caspian says with a smile. He has a cute smile too.

"Okay, your apology is accepted, only because it's my birthday today. I'm being generous. Call me Anna!” Anna explains.

“Oh yeah, I already said my name to myself a while ago…” she says in afterthought.

Caspian smiles even more. Really weird girl, but pretty, especially her eyes, he thought.

"Anna, it’s time to go inside! It's beginning to get dark." They hear from across the street.

That will be Marmee, Anna thought.

"I have to go now! It was nice meeting you, I guess. Goodbye, Caspian! See you around."

Anna hurries to cross the street without looking back while Caspian can’t take his eyes off her. He is still wondering about their unexpected acquaintance. He waits for her to go in through that blue door.

"Happy birthday, Anna! See you again..." Caspian replies in a whisper, as he disappears behind the willow tree.

Clouds start to darken the sky and the sun has already set in the horizon. This signifies the end of another day. Nevertheless, somehow, this will be the beginning of a new friendship between Anna and the strange boy named Caspian.