September 24, 2011; Saturday, 15:00 

Cassandra Richardson enjoyed painting. 

Which was why she was not surprised at all when Diana gave her a set of new paintbrushes as a birthday present. The bristles, Cass could tell, were natural hair, ox hair probably, soft and classy. The long handles were hardwood, glossy, sleek, and dark brown, with metal ferrules of shiny copper. There were seven brushes: Rigger, Round, Flat, Mop, Filbert, Angle, and Bright, with a case to go with it. They smelled of blank canvases calling to her, begging to be colored. 

Where in the world did Diana get such high quality paintbrushes? Cass thought Diana didn’t get allowances. 

“Do you like it?” Diana asked, eating the vanilla ice cream birthday cake. Her long, curly, dark hair was loose as always, framing her pale face and dark eyes. She was so different from Cass, who always braided her blonde hair. 

“Yes,” Cass said. She decided to paint something for Diana. For her birthday. Which was in two weeks. “It’s very nice.” 

“I’m glad,” Diana said, taking another bite. 

More importantly though, how did Diana know that Cass needed new paintbrushes? Diana was the type of girl who wouldn't notice if the world was ending around her. Cass had no idea Diana was even aware that it was Cass's birthday. 

“You’re twelve now?” Diana asked as if she didn’t know. Maybe she didn’t. Cass nodded, and ate her cake. 

October 5, 2011; Wednesday, 17:30 

Cass liked drawing Faeries. 

Partly because they’re so interesting to draw, and partly because Faeries don’t exist, so no one will accuse her of drawing them wrong. 

For just a twelve-year-old, Cass drew quite quickly and accurately. In two weeks, she had a half-finished painting of a Fire Faery she invented, a sketch of a Water Faery, and a large painting of a Kappa—Japanese swamp spirit—ready for Diana, though the finishing touches were added only that morning. 

“Here’s your birthday present,” Cass told Diana, handing the painting to her. Diana received it with a smile and a hug. 

Then she asked, “Did you draw this with the brushes I gave you?”  

Cass nodded. She’d discarded her old paintbrushes. 

Diana studied the Kappa in the painting, smiling. It was dancing in the swamp as it rained, its head raised to the sky. It had a child’s proportions to make it more adorable. 

“Thank you,” Diana said. “I’ll hang this in my room.” 

October 10, 2011; Monday, 21:00 

Cass had, in a few days, finished both the Fire Faery and the Water Faery (though a bit sloppily), and drawn a few snow-capped mountain peaks to boot. The mountains were only added because she was bored. 

She placed the paintings on the window sill, satisfied with herself. Then she noticed the smudge of dirt on the side of the painting. She wiped it off. 

She checked the paintings again, then went to sleep.