The entire mansion of the hosts for the wonderful celebration was vibrating with so much cheer. Guests were exchanging pleasantries with one another, with some playful banter here and there. Familiar faces greeted each other, as they catch up on the years they lost. The hearty laughter of the people dancing on the floor just added to the excitement and thrill of the festivity.

The eight-year-old Stefan just watched the entire event with so much boredom. He didn't ask to be here. He didn't even want to attend a birthday of a brat he didn't know. He had plans with Trevor and Devon, but the two canceled out on him at the last minute, informing him that the two needed to go back to Italy as soon as possible. Those traitors.

With so much time in his hands, Stefan was not able to refuse his mother when the latter dragged him out of his room and into the celebration. Reeve and Chris were also displeased with their parental unit, and Stefan thought that they would band together since the three of them were the disgruntled bunch.

But the moment his two brothers caught a glimpse of their crushes, the young Stefan was left in the corner, with a sharp glare on his brothers' back, and the silent promise that his brothers will face his wrath later. With a bored sigh, Stefan swept his eyes around the area and his eyes narrowed on the dimmed path towards the gazebo.

His curiosity being piqued, Stefan absentmindedly stepped away from the boisterous crowd and let his feet take him to his destination. There were wall lamps and lampposts installed, so the covered path was not that dark. As he gets nearer to the gazebo, the young Stefan felt a shiver down his spine. He stopped in his tracks to check if what he was hearing is correct, or if his ears are just playing with him.

Stefan swallowed hard and his fists clenched on his black pants. "H-Hello? Is someone there?" His voice just echoed in the empty hallway, adding to the eeriness of the place.

Stefan was just halfway to the end of the hall, where the gazebo is currently located. A sudden gust of cold wind brushed on his cheeks, solidifying Stefan's resolve to run away and ignore the muffled sobs, but every time he decides to turn his back and flee, his body won't let him.

He took a deep breath and after a few seconds of debating with himself, he made a decision.

"Ghosts can't harm me. Humans can," Stefan chanted and ran towards the gazebo.

Might as well get it over with, while his bravery is at its peak. He needs to find out the person behind the muffled cries. What if it's a ghost? That just means that Stefan can brag to his friends that he finally saw a ghost. It's a win-win situation.

Stefan's feet stopped a meter before the gazebo. He bent down, his hands on his knees, as he tried to catch his breath. The distance he ran was short, but the fear he felt earlier definitely contributed to his ragged breaths. He fished out the handkerchief from his pocket and was about to wipe the sweat on his forehead when the sobs turned louder this time.

"H-hello? Can you hear me? I won't hurt you. I just want to know why you're crying," Stefan said with a shaky voice, as he scanned his eyes around the gazebo, searching for a person.

He cleared his throat and continued, "If you're a ghost, I still won't hurt you, because I literally can't," he added a nervous chuckle and decided to step forward.

"A-am not...a...g-ghost," came the squeaky reply, almost inaudible, but it was very clear for Stefan, because of their quiet environment. Stefan heard the silent sniffles, and he followed the sound of the voice, only to find a small boy in the corner, his legs pulled up, his face buried on his knees, with his brown locks hiding his face.

The boy was wearing a white shirt and checkered shorts, with brown suspenders, paired with a black and customized oxford.

Stefan stared at the boy, trying to remember if he ever met him, but no memory comes to mind. Stefan sat down in front of the boy and crossed his legs. "Why are you crying?"

The boy just shook his head and did not reply, making himself even smaller. Maybe he's scared because he thinks that I might hurt him.

"I won't hurt you. My name is Stefan Alexandrei, but you can call me Stef. That's what my friends call me," Stefan continued, noticing that the boy flinched when Stefan mentioned the word friends.

Stefan doesn't know what to do. He wants to know what's wrong and help the boy, but forcing the boy would just yield the opposite result. "I don't know who hurt you, but I know that everything will get better. There are also times when I feel so alone, but I have friends now. Trevor and Devon. They are older than me, but we're brothers by bond. We stick to one another, and we don't let anyone bully us. We protect one another. That's why... if you want, we can protect you too. If you just trust me and show your face."

When Stefan did not receive any response, his heart drop and the feeling of disappointment slowly crept into his system. He pressed his lips together, and with an unpleasant emotion brewing in his chest, got on his feet. "I... I'm going ahead. My parents may be looking for me and—"

"No!" Stefan blinked numerous times and his eyes landed on the small fingers clutching his pant leg. From the boy's trembling fingers, his eyes traveled to his short arms, to the boy's shoulder, and when Stefan finally gazed upon the boy's face, he almost dropped to the floor. Stefan clutched his chest breathlessly, his eyes wide open, as he stared at the boy like he just witnessed a miracle.

Stefan's chest began to pound loudly when he gazed upon the prettiest brown eyes he has ever seen. There were tear stains on the boy's rosy cheeks, and the edges of the boy's eyes were puffy and red, but Stefan was lovestruck. Stefan's breathing became labored, and he couldn't take his eyes off the boy. Gone was the bored Stefan. After all, he is staring down at the most gorgeous and wonderful person he has ever laid his eyes on.

The boy bit his lip and slowly withdrew his fingers. "I-I'm sorry. A-are you leaving?" The boy asked Stefan in a soft voice, his round eyes filled with silent desperation.

Stefan pointed to himself. "Me? Of course not. You heard me wrong. Again, I'm Stef. What's your name?" Stefan's lovestruck expression became cheerful, as he sat back down in front of the boy.

"I'm Oliver," the boy replied in a shy voice, still unable to look straight in Stefan's eyes.

"I'm very pleased to meet you, Oliver. Are you okay now?" Oliver nodded and sniffled, his fist clenching on his shirt. "Um... I have a hankie. Can I wipe your tears?" Stefan showed his unused handkerchief to Oliver, and the latter blinked, before nodding in agreement.

Stefan bit his lower lip to contain his smile and lifted his hand with the handkerchief. "I'll start now," he informed the boy, and when Oliver nodded, Stefan began to rub the fabric softly on the boy's cheeks. Oliver's fingers dug into his shirt every time Stefan gets a bit closer, so the latter provided more room for Oliver. I don't want him to be uncomfortable.

"There. It's done," Stefan grinned wide and went back to his position.

"T-Thank you." Oliver patted his pockets and fished out a candy bar. He stretched out his hand to Stefan with a coy smile. "Mommy said that I should always thank people when they help me. This is my favorite."

Stefan tilted his head and crossed his arms over his chest. "And you're giving it to me?"

Oliver nodded, and this time, his lips tugged into a genuine smile, making Stefan's heartbeat faster than usual. "You helped me. This is my thanks." Oliver grabbed Stefan's left hand and pushed the candy into Stefan's palm.

Stefan gulped hard and stared at the candy. "T-Thank you. I'm sorry, I don't have anything with me but I think I have some stuff in our car—" Stefan's panic was sent to a halt and his mouth parted in surprise when Oliver's adorable giggle blanketed the space.

This time, the young Stefan thought that cupid finally did it. He can't wait to tell Trevor and Devon about Oliver. Stefan was so fascinated and entranced by Oliver that he did not notice that Reeve was calling for him.

"Stefan? Where are you? We're leaving!" Reeve's voice echoed, startling both Stefan and Oliver. Stefan immediately stood up and saw Reeve at the end of the hallway. Stefan glanced at Oliver restlessly, the latter looking at Stefan, confused and anxious.

"Oliver... I'm sorry, I need to go." But I don't want to, Stefan wanted to add, but he knows he can't stay. They had to fly to England for an important business trip. Seeing Oliver's upturned lip stretched into a sad smile made Stefan feel a small pang in his chest.

"Okay. Bye-bye." Oliver was smiling, but the sad tone in his voice did not convince Stefan.

Stefan's throat constricted when Oliver cast his teary eyes down. Stefan wanted to stay, so much, but he knows he can't.

His eyes started to burn and his breathing started to get heavier. He still hasn't asked Oliver for the reason why the latter was upset. Stefan still needs to know why Oliver cried.

"Stefan! Mom's going to get mad! What are you still doing there? Don't make me go there," Reeve said in a threatening voice.

Stefan wiped his tears and glanced at Reeve, then at Oliver. The latter's shoulder began to shake, and when Oliver's muffled sobs filled the air, the sinking feeling in Stefan's stomach got heavier. It did not help that Reeve was getting impatient, with the way Reeve started to call for Stefan in an annoyed tone.

Stefan pulled his hair in frustration and released a shaky breath. He dropped into a kneel and reached for Oliver's hands, then stuffed his handkerchief in Oliver's small palms. Oliver lifted his head and a lone tear escaped Stefan's eyes when he saw the tears Oliver's streaming down from his brown eyes.

"I... I have to go, Oliver. I will remember you. Keep my hankie as a remembrance from me. I hope that we meet again in the future. Goodbye." Stefan's smile wavered and his hand ruffled Oliver's curls. Soft curls.

Stefan got on his feet with a sharp intake of breath and started to step away from Oliver. There was something about the boy that made it painful for Stefan to just leave him. His heart throbs painfully with each step he takes.

"Bye-bye, Stef. See you next time?" Oliver asked hopefully with a sniffle, and Stefan nodded.

"See you next time, Ollie."

Stefan turned his back on Oliver, but not without taking a final glance. "Reeve! I'm here," he called his brother and Reeve just sighed in impatience.

"Come on, you brat. Mom's going to kill me. Why did you even go there?" Reeve slung his arms around Stefan's shoulders, but when Stefan did not respond, Reeve just let it be. After all, Stefan is the silent type, by default.

****