100 DA (DRAGON AGE)

Dear Diary,

Today marks the hundredth anniversary of the dragons taking over the planet. It also happens to be my thirteenth birthday, and it’s the worst birthday I’ve ever had. Two months ago Mom and Dad ran off to pursue their dreams of becoming musicians. They said they wanted a better life for me than one on the road, so they sent me to live with the fairies in the Fairy Palace.

Sometimes living with the fairies feels like I’m living in a glittery, smiley, rainbow cult. Everyone in the Fairy Kingdom is obsessed with white magic and doing good deeds. I’m like the black sheep of the Fairy Palace, and they hate me for it. They’re always teasing me in the halls and throwing crumpled up pieces of paper at me during magic lessons. I wish Mom and Dad had left me with the trolls and goblins—at least I wouldn’t get into trouble for putting a bully into a headlock there.

It’s been really hard making a friend here, hence why I’ve started journaling. There’s one girl who’s a little older than me who I guess is okay. Everyone really likes her a lot around here; they say she’ll be running the joint when she gets older. She really likes me for some reason and has been looking out for me. I don’t know her name, but she stands up for me every time she sees someone picking on me.

She was the only person who remembered it was my birthday today. She made me a cake, but then lectured me about how much of it I was eating.

“Careful,” she said. “You’ll make yourself sick.”

“Don’t mother me,” I said. “We’re practically the same age.”

“I don’t mean to mother you, but someone has to look out for you,” she said. “Consider me your godmother while you live with the fairies.”

“You want to be my fairy godmother?” I asked.

“Fairy godmother?” she said and scrunched up her nose. “That sounds silly.”

It was the only time I had seen her dislike something, so naturally I had to tease her about it. “Too late, that’s what I’ll be calling you from this moment on!”

The “fairy godmother” just laughed. “Whatever it takes to be your friend,” she said.

I’ve never been used to kindness. It’s always given me a weird feeling in the pit of my stomach, just like mermaid stew.

“Why are you so nice to me?” I asked. “All the other fairies can’t stand me, so why are you trying to be my friend?”

“I can’t explain why, but I’ve always loved taking care of people. It’s sort of a hobby,” she said. “What do you do for fun?”

“I like playing cards and picking the locks of liquor cabinets,” I said. “So I don’t think I’m the kind of girl you want to be friends with.”

“Are you kidding? That’s exactly the kind of friend I want!” she said. “You’re different, and different is good! The more different you have in your life, the more exciting it is! People around here don’t understand that. I’m so bored of all these perfect and colorful fairies flying around—they’re no fun! I’d give anything to do something thrilling and spontaneous!”

“I know what you mean,” I said. “I’ve been thinking about sneaking away from the Fairy Palace and capturing a dragon! Want to come with me? It could be the thrilling and spontaneous thing you’re looking for.”

Her eyes lit up like it was the best idea she had ever heard. “Let’s go!”

I never did catch her real name, but I think this “fairy godmother” girl might be the closest thing I have to a friend. Maybe my birthday wasn’t such a bad day after all.