Kai was 10 when he saw that he was different. When he realized that most kids didn’t stress about bills and money. That most kids couldn’t handle the hottest summer days like it was nothing. That most kids could play out in the cold snow in winter without getting sick. That most kids were raised by their parents, and lived with grandparents, and had big families. Of course, Kai wasn’t the only one to notice these differences, as his old friends started to drift away from him. Splitting once they realize that they didn't care about the same things anymore.
Kai was 11 when he realized how tight their money was. He knew that they weren't rich, but realizing that they had so little was terrifying. Knowing that the things he needed were at times too much for them made him feel guilty. Seeing Nya work for hours to only come back and continue to stress, wearing fake smiles constantly, too tired to hang out with him.
Kai was 12 when he got a job behind Nya’s back. She didn’t want him to worry, to stress, keeping him in the dark so he wouldn’t be a burden. But it only made him worry more, made the times he had to get new clothes, and seeing Nya so stressed over money made him feel guilty. Feeling useless as he was only another drain on their limited funds, he started to work with the farmers. Doing chores, feeding animals, helping with harvests. He was careful to only work enough that he made enough money while Nya wouldn't know that he was working. Making a big enough money he would put it in a blank envelope and put it in their mailbox, and every time he did it he saw Nya relax a little bit, and smile a little wider.
Kai was 12 when he made friends with his shadow. He knew that shadows didn’t talk, but late in the evening, when the shadows were at their longest, he heard it whisper to him. They were understanding, listening to him and his problems, even offering some solutions. They helped him when his teacher found out he was working, whispering to him what he should say so that they wouldn't tell Nya. They told him stories that happened long ago and would laugh at his jokes, keep him company when he was alone and would keep an eye out for him whenever he snuck away. He found himself telling them everything; his parents, his weird abilities, even his deepest fears. Everything he's wanted to tell someone for so long, he told his shadow. And they didn't judge him, listening to everything he's always wanted to tell Nya: but he didn't want to burden her with his senseless worries. He knew she would get caught up in them, twisting around to prove him wrong, but he didn't need that. He just needed to say them; he just wanted to be listened to. He didn't want to be proved right or wrong he knew they were unfounded. All he just wanted them both to be happy. The extra money made Nya happy, and his shadow made him happy.
