When Cassie went to Neverland as scheduled throughout the next few weeks, Michael did not question her or brought up the topic of her abrupt change in behaviour on her first visit, nor did he, again, invited her to the rides.

But he kept his promise, and showed her the animals. To touch the trunk of an elephant, the soft fur of a llama, to have a giraffe bonk her hand for treats ... she was almost moved to tears. Life was so much simpler and beautiful through the eyes of animals. Living in the human world, they did have their share of hardships, but once a person forms a bond with them, their love for him or her will never change. Animals were the only real things in the world ...

Michael did the gentle, baby talk to his animals. Seeing this, Cassie's guilt at venting part of her long-time anger at him intensified. But at the same time, she was grateful that he pretended nothing happened; she didn't want to talk about it.

No one, not even her parents, understood how it felt to be disliked and looked down upon, to be so isolated and different, and to not have the normal teenager years everyone else have.

Cassie's mother, a popular student during her own school days, surrounded by girl friends whom she stayed in contact till now, certainly could not understand her daughter. "You're going to school to learn and study," she would say sternly. "Not to become a celebrity."

"I don't like socialising either," her father would add, shuddering to the memories of having to entertain countless clients as an employee in the marketing and sales department. "I'd rather have lunch on my own any time."

Cassie would laugh it off whenever her parents gave her such advice,pretending she only brought up her solitary situation conversationally ... though she minded this issue – a whole lot than they could imagine.

During weekends, while her classmates were going out and having fun, Cassie was cooped up in her home, reading books. Cassie did love delving into those fictional worlds, but sometimes, she wanted to go out like everyone else too. Parties, sleepovers, a movie at the cinema, karaoke nights ...

But she didn't have any friends to do all those things with. And her parents didn't allow her to go out alone.

"It's dangerous," they would quip. "You know indecent people tend to target unaccompanied young girls like you."

Cassie was an adult now, she could go anywhere she wanted and her parents wouldn't be able to question her daily whereabouts. However, their advice remained glued inside her head – and as much as Cassie hated it, the less wild side of her agreed with them.

Yes, Cassie had a roof over her head and her three meals on time – but everyone she knew had their physiological needs satisfied as well, yet they aren't happy either ... but at least they had friends. They don't realise how fortunate they are to have real friends ...

Over the years, Cassie hid this suffocating feeling away from her family. She remembered coming home from school, locking the door and slumping against the wall of her room, consumed by fear and self-disgust. Hugging her knees protectively in a corner, she wouldn't be able to control herself from rocking forwards and backwards. She was frightened of receiving even more hateful treatment ... She hated herself, there must be something wrong with her ...

The invisible hierarchy, the glares and sneers exchanged between students that adults don't see ... Cassie wasn't threatened or beaten up outright, but the mental pressure was crushing her ... She cried silently during sleepless nights, muffling her sobs with her blanket.

Her parents didn't understand ... There was no use in confiding to them ... She really tried once, and all she got in return was a long, disappointing lecture.

"You have too much time on your hands. Look at you, Cassandra, you're wasting time feeling extremely miserable ..."

"Do you think I like everyone in my office? But what am I supposed to do? Throw a resignation letter in my boss's face? Come home and cry? Like what you're doing now?"

There was also a period of loneliness where she would talk to her reflection in the mirror. Was this considered severe depression? Eventually, however, she stopped when she realised what her parents would think if they found out ... How frightened they would be. They might even take her to the psychiatrist.

Cassie knew she wasn't mad, she was aware that she was talking to her reflection – something not alive, but the illusion she created for herself was a source of comfort ... 

When she moved out, Cassie adopted Mr Tubs from an acquaintance and Queen from the shelter she had volunteered for. She loves both of them  dearly, the two animals depended on her, but she yearned for people whom she can depend on when she needed support as well ... Just a friend.

* * *

" ... And I told her, 'You shut up!'"

"You told Madonna that? Wow ..."

"Yeah," Michael confirmed. "That wasn't nice of her. The kid was just asking for an autograph ... "

Michael and Cassie were strolling along the paths of Neverland, simply talking. The light decorations all around the grounds illuminated the night. On her previous visit, Michael had invited her to visit Neverland at night as a guest. "Don't see my home as your workplace," he had said.

"When's your birthday?" Michael was now asking.

"May 12th," Cassie replied.

"May 12th ..." Michael repeated the date under his breath, memorizing it.

"When's yours?" she asked.

"Mine's August 29th," he smiled.

They were now approaching an enormous tree.

"This is my Giving Tree," said Michael, introducing it.

Cassie's eyes followed the height of the Tree and saw that even the topmost branches were very thick. A soft breeze lifted her hair and rustled the leaves above. She walked towards the Giving Tree's trunk, touched its rough surface and let out a relaxed breath; trees always calmed her. If it weren't for the fact that she was living in an apartment, she would not hesitate to plant at least five trees in her house's backyard.

"Do you climb trees? You can climb up if you want," said Michael, reaching for the lower branches.

"Trees? You're speaking to an expert here," said Cassie, following suit. Climbing up trees to get pictures of intriguing plants or little furry critters was what she often did during her forest trips.

"Wait, wait, wait!" Michael said suddenly, holding out his arm in front of her. "Let's race up the Tree!"

His eyes were shining with excitement and mischief. Cassie raised an amused eyebrow at his silly expression. "Okay," she said.

"We'll have to back away a bit. Backwards, backwards, backwards ..." Michael chanted, waving his arms like a traffic officer.

They stood about fifteen metres away from the tree.

"Right," Michael rubbed his hands together in anticipation. "One – two –" but Michael ran at two, while shouting 'THREE!' as he sped towards the Giving Tree.

"Hey!" Cassie yelled. She only started a second late but was already struggling to catch up; Michael was beginning to clamber up the Tree's branches.

"I win!" Michael laughed, punching a triumphant fist into the air.

"That's not fair. You ran at two!" said Cassie, reaching up and straddling over a branch. "Rematch!"

"Alright," he said. Michael made to get down from his branch, but he failed spectacularly at hiding his cheeky grin.

Cassie narrowed her eyes. "You're going to cheat again, aren't you?"

Michael held up both hands in surrender. "Ahh, you caught me," he said, settling back on the branch.

Fora few moments, they sat in silence. Cassie took the time to scan Neverland from this new point of view.

"I like sitting up here," Michael said. "You know, some of my songs – they were written on this Tree. It gives me inspiration. I feel like I could really be myself when I'm up here."

Cassie looked sideways at him. "So, it's like a little hideout?" she commented.

"Yeah," Michael replied, fiddling his thumbs absent-mindedly.

Silence once more. Cassie wanted to bury her head into her hands for making such a stupid, non-in-depth response to this creative genius ...

Then, it was at this moment that an overwhelming urge prompted her to say something – to explain ... To apologize. She owed him that.

"Michael?" Cassie called.

"Yes?" he turned to her.

"Michael, I'm sorry about ... The first time I came here, you asked me to have a go at the rides and I – I'm so, so sorry if I offended you. It's ... my own problem. I'm so sorry," she finished in a timid whisper.

"It's okay," he answered simply, but Cassie was relieved to see the gentle smile on his face. "Do you want to talk about it?" he asked.

Cassie paused, then forcing a casual laugh, she answered, "It's a long story."

"I have time," he said, looking into her eyes. It was probably the absurdity of anyone becoming upset at amusement park rides that he wanted to know, Cassie thought.

But there was so much sincerity in those dark brown eyes that at that second, she felt that she could do it. Michael was different from the people she knew. Maybe she could really tell him. If only just a few bits of it.