She runs along the beaches of Heavenly, early in the morning, training for Arpie High’s upcoming entrance exams. Her breathing is heavy, she can feel the numerous drops of sweat drip down her face and body, and onto her P.E. shirt and leggings. And no matter how much she tries, she can’t stop thinking about her one true love’s rare smile. Her heart rate rapidly increases. She’s never felt this much love for someone, and she doesn’t know what to do, nor what to say…

That kiss him and I shared that night… Why can’t I stop thinking about it?

Hi, my name is Cassandra. Cassandra Alister. Since I was a little girl, I’ve always seen Belly everywhere. And I’ve always remembered his one true goal. To make friends and be there for them. But he’s so pathetic and awkward. And it doesn’t help that he’s always been the target of the most amazing boy in town, Joshua Menma. And it’s because of all this trauma and social rejection as a kid that he was never able to waken the magic within him called love.

And I’m ashamed to admit this, but all I could do was watch. I was afraid. Afraid to say something, to save him because… just like him, I didn’t have magic. I couldn’t go against Joshua and everyone else who was against Belly, not in the state I was, so instead I joined them, leaving Belly all alone.

I cried every night in our nurses office. My home. Hating myself for doing such an awful thing to Belly. Not letting him know that there really is someone out there in the world, thinking about him every night before they go to sleep. And after everything I’ve been through myself with father… how could I just leave him--abandon him when all he’s ever wanted is a friend.

But let’s move past the sappy stuff. Let’s move on to a dream I had as a little girl. A dream where Belly and I met for the very first time. I wake up in an open meadow where only a single tree resided, during the golden hour. And as I look around, I spot Belly in the distance, curled up in a ball, crying to himself. My heart sinks, I couldn’t confront him. I was too ashamed of myself. How could I talk to him after everything I’ve done to avoid him. I slowly step back, and turn around to start running away, but then I hear his sweet, broken voice.

“P-Please… I-I don’t--I don’t want to be left alone anymore… Mom, Dad… Bro.”

I cover my mouth with my hands. Trying my hardest to not burst into tears, but I just can’t.

He’s crying… begging life… begging for someone to love him. For someone to be there for him… Dammit!!

I turn around and cry out for his name.

“Belly!! Huh?”

But he’s gone. Nowhere to be found. I fall on my knees. Regretting so much. My one chance to talk to him disappeared. I hold my chest, tightly. Not knowing what to.

“Belly… I’m here for you…”

But then I wake up. It’s a Saturday morning, and once again, I wake up in the nurse's office. I don’t know what to do, but one thing is clear.

I have to talk to him… I have to go see Belly!

I change into some clothes and sneak out the school gates. I run all over town, hoping to find Belly somewhere--somehow.

Belly… Belly… Belly… Belly… Belly!... Belly!!... Belly!!!... Belly!!! Where are you??

And at this moment, my eyes glint for the very first time in my life, a tyrian purple color with broken heart-shapes in the middle. My magic awakened.

Belly!!

I could feel so many new bittersweet emotions I didn’t understand, see so many new beautiful colors I never knew existed. I use some of my unique magic to create my boost: Pounce.

I start hopping great distances. Over buildings and lakes, across streets and open fields, and I jump atop our largest of buildings to look around the entire town of Heavenly. But nothing.

I search around all day, but still nothing. The sun starts to set, and I end up going to the beach. As I look out into the sea, I can't help but think the about the truth.

I’m all alone, too… That’s why I’m looking for Belly…

I smile, and can’t help but cry. I start to cry, and cry, and cry. Desperately wishing for a friend to call my own. To be loved, to have a real home to return to. My entire life, I’ve been all alone, too. I start to cry, louder and louder.

Please… I beg of you… to whoever is listening out there… I don’t want to be alone anymore… please… just please, let me be friends with Belly.

“Um… Ex-Excuse me?”

“Huh!...”

That same sweet, broken voice I heard in my dreams. I quickly turn around, hoping it’s him.

“B-Belly?”

He stands there, holding a colorful popsicle in his hand. I remember something. For as long as I’ve known him, he’s never once smiled before. But after seeing my face, he blushed and calmly smile.

“D-Don’t-Don’t worry Cassandra!”

He offers his hand to me and giggles at my expense.

“I-I-I want to be friends with you, too! Heheh!”

I hold his warm hand, and it’s as if my heart bloomed into a thousand stars. My eyes go from a violet color to a light green with whole heart-shapes in the middle.

“B-Belly… Belly!”

I hug him, crying, overflowing with tears.

“Hic. Belly, thank you! Thank you, thank you! I-I promise Belly, I will always be your friend. I will always be here for you, Belly! Hiccup.”

And as I cry in his shoulder, he drops his popcycle and embraces me with both his arms. We’re so close to each other that we can feel each other’s heart beat. And he whispers something.

“Me-Me, too. You don’t have to suffer being alone anymore, Cassandra, for I am here now. And I will always be here for whenever you need to cry…”

I wake up once more in bed. Two weeks left until Arpie High’s entrance exams. I look out the window of the nurse’s office and watch over the peaceful town of Heavenly, my home.

That time Belly and I met as a kid… it was all a dream, too… Haha. He’s such an idiot. I can’t believe he hasn’t realized it yet. And it’s been so many years, too.

Those dreams we have--how we’re able to dream together. It’s all because of Belly. That’s his magic. To dream together with those who have a broken heart, and to help save them. He has so much potential at becoming the greatest knight, and he doesn’t even know it. He has more potential than me, and yet, the reason as to why he fights is to make someone like me proud.

I don’t think he’s ever really done anything for himself. All he cares about is being there for others because he knows what it feels like to be all alone, and he doesn’t want anyone else to ever feel the same way. I think… maybe, that’s why I… I love him…

My heart feels warm at the thought of him. And I can’t wait to see him again today.

I’ll help you, Belly. I’ll help you make more and more friends, and become the greatest knight. Because honestly, if anyone deserves it… it’s you, Belly…

My mind gets foggy, and my heart beat gets louder and louder. My entire body feels warm and cozy.

Geez… I can’t believe I’ve really fallen for that loser.