They say it's my birthday

[waterproofed]

It's my birthday today. So if I were back home, I would've already been old enough to vote and I'm one year away from legally drinking alcohol. [let's not point out the fact that he's already had some alcohol here. Paradisa goes by different rules]

I wonder if I'd be in college? Would I even get to go to college?

Comments

[waterproofed]

I might die first.

[freeslider]

...well, that's kind of morbid.

[waterproofed]

For a while I didn't even know if I'd make it to sixteen. I have, so now the next step is making it to college age.

[freeslider]

Is is dangerous where you come from?

[waterproofed]

It's kind of like a toned-down Paradisa. We don't go to different worlds, but we face monsters and ghosts and other stuff.

[freeslider]

Are you part of a group that does that kind of thing?

[waterproofed]

Yeah, we do that kind of thing all the time.

[freeslider]

I guess that probably doesn't leave a lot of time for homework...

[waterproofed]

I do it when I can. My stepdad helps me.

[freeslider]

That's nice of him. I don't suppose he also helps you fight monsters?

[waterproofed]

Actually... yeah. He did one time. It was pretty awesome.

[freeslider]

Sounds like you got yourself a pretty good step-dad.

[waterproofed]

He's awesome, and he makes my mom happy.

[freeslider]

That's even better.

[waterproofed]

Yep. I'm glad he's home right now. I worry enough about my family as it is without Paradisa's help.

[freeslider]

I can imagine. I miss mine all the time.

[waterproofed]

Yeah? Are they cool?

[freeslider]

Yeah. Though my dad worked way too much. I never got to spend much time with him.

[waterproofed]

I don't see my father that much, either.

[freeslider]

Your real dad, you mean?

[waterproofed]

Yep. He's in charge of a lot, so he's really busy.

[freeslider]

Hmmm. Sounds familiar.