"When someone you love becomes a memory,that memory becomes a treasure."-T.S.Geisel

Chloe's POV:

I raise the colorful spiral ribbon higher and tilt my head to Emma. She cocks her eyebrows and gestures her hand up. I tip toe on my feet, trying my best to balance my weight on the silver ladder and raise the ribbon further up on the wall.

"Perfect." She yells from down and I stick the ribbon on the wall.I bend slowly and descend the steps half way. Emma hands me two more ribbons of different size and shade.

I clutch them and climb up back. This time I plaster the other ribbons easily next to the former one making them all in equal level.

Since morning everyone is busy trying to finish off decorating the huge hall of the cafeteria. Well, it really is just a big dining hall but I like giving it a fancy name cafeteria.

 Aiden and Trinity left the asylum few hours back to get a cake for Eric. Rachel stayed behind, helping us with the decorations once it arrived to the asylum. 

Its still surprising how they let out some patient for while , well under observation of course, outside the walls of asylum but in any case, it wouldn't be right to call Aiden mentally challenged. He had a traumatic past that affects his present, I'm glad the doctors are supportive enough to let the disturbed people such as me, Aiden and the rest of us have a normal life as much as possible. Besides, they're mentally trying to prepare us for the world we would enter into after leaving this place.

The thought of going and leaving who knows where makes me shudder and I quickly shrug it off.

It was a lucky day for every staff member since no one had to make excuses or lie to their superior, Dr Donald, about hosting a birthday and farewell party. He was off for today.

Xavier offered to distract Eric until the hall is set ready and the cake arrives. Both the boys were spending time drawing in the classroom, Mel made sure to check on them secretly often to make sure Eric doesn't show up in the hall.

I sigh, messaging my arms that were aching from all the work. I walk over to one of the nurse and help them set up the table. Melissa and Emma were busy with the balloons.

After two more hours I stand beside Emma in awe as everyone stares at the decorated hall. A smile stretches on my features as I admire the colorful and decent decoration.

The hall was surrounded by different shades of balloons and ribbons. A small yet eye- catching banner was hanged near the table that is set with the cake and other birthday presents. The banner states in bold and shimmery font 'Happy Birthday Eric'.

Aiden requests the staff to switch off the lights and everyone stands in silence, in the dark waiting for the little soul.

The door pushes open and a head peeps inside. I faintly make out in the darkness that it is Xavier making sure everything is ready before he pushes the door wide open and Eric walks in beside him, holding his hand.

I take a deep breath trying to contain my excitement. Emma and Mel stand side by side next to me waiting for the signal along with the rest of the people in the room.

The lights flash open, I blink quickly trying to adjust my vision before all the members in the cafeteria greet Eric in unison.

The young boy freezes in shock, he lets go off Xavier's hand and walks two steps ahead. His grey orbs frantically eye each of us and a warm smile makes it's way as our gazes meet.

His mouth slightly hangs opens as he takes in his surroundings that are screaming his birthday celebration.

Those large grey eyes brim with tears before he quickly wipes them off with his one arm and a grateful smile forms on his face.

"Th-hank you-Thanks a lot e-everyone."

Aiden walks over to Eric grabbing his hand and pulling him towards the table. Everyone gathers around the table waiting for the young boy to cut his huge cake. A small sob escapes him as he looks at the cake that is carved with his name.

Mel walks beside him placing a hand over his shoulder, nodding at him to blow the candle. He leans towards the table, placing his tiny hands on the table cloth before blowing over the three candles.

I smile widely standing next to Emma and Bella as we all sing along wishing him. Once he cuts the cake with the help of Aiden, the hall erupts in cheers and loud claps for the young soul.

Emma once told me that Eric was closest to Aiden and Melissa. It has been an year since he stayed apart from his foster family. Both of them always stayed close to Eric since he arrived to the asylum.

The young boy blushes as he goes around smiling with a small piece of cake in his hand.He walks over to me and I bend down to his level.

He crashes into a tight hug taking me by surprise. I wrap my arms around his little frame as he sobs thanking me over and over. I break from the hug and tilt his chin making him look at me.

His doe like eyes filled with tears stare back at me and I quickly wipe them away. I lean towards him, placing a soft kiss on his forehead. He smiles at me and that's when I remember about the present.

"Eric, Mel and I baked some cookies for you, I'm sorry I di-" His eyes grow wide on the mention of his favorite treat and he cuts me off. I wanted to tell him I didn't get him a present but Eric couldn't be more happy knowing his favorite cookies await him.

"Chloe thank you!" He rushes off towards the table in search of the cookies making me chuckle. 

It wasn't a bad idea dragging Mel to help me bake those. I get up from my place walking towards the cheerful boy.

I glance around the hall looking at the number of people. Very few patients that were accompanied with their nurse came down. Some of the staff members, close to Eric were also present along with Rachel and Trinity.

I offered one of the nurses to help her serve the cake to everyone in the hall. She thanked me and took off with the plates to serve the people.

I grip the knife and slice the soft cake, placing it gently on a quarter plate. This continues till the cake tray is left with nothing but small crumbles.

I take my share of the sweet, walking over to a empty table to enjoy the cake. 

"Ooo Chloe.." A soft voice chirps behind me in a singing tone making me turn towards the source.

Emma stood few inches apart from me holding her empty plate in her hands, smiling warmly at me. I cock an eyebrow at her, suspicious of her sudden change in demeanor.

She walks gracefully towards me keeping her smile plastered over her face. " Can I have that piece of cake, I'm sure you want to go try your cookies."

I give her a ridiculous look before pulling the chair back and taking the seat. I lean back into the chair and relax as my feet were sore from all the work since morning.

"Come on there buddy." She pulls other chair sitting next to me. I roll my eyes at her knowing she won't give up for the sake of love for these cakes. I can give up anything but cakes.

I smirk at her, an idea popping in my head. She baths her eyelashes innocently at me giving her best puppy look. I grab the plastic plate holding my half eaten cake and level it to my face.

She looks between the plate and me in a hope as her emerald eyes glimmer. I lean towards the place and quickly lick the cake in front of her, not breaking our eye contact.

She sneers at me and scrunches her nose in disgust.

"Ew Chloe." That makes my grin grow wider as I pace the plate back and dig into the sweet, well aware she wont try anything new.

"Your're just cruel,you know that?"

I slowly eat, savoring the flavor of the chocolate cake in my mouth. "Bugger off Emma."

"Man, I feel like someone drained the entire energy from my body."

I look beside me as Aiden pulls a chair making himself comfortable. He places his plate on the table. I send a glare towards him which goes unnoticed as he closes his eyes.

This guy went to the town and didn't lift a finger once he came back to help us with the decorations. 

He opens his eyes and looks over my shoulders. His features lighten up seeing Emma behind me. He pushes his plate with half eaten cake towards Emma before he leans back into his chair.

I glance at Emma who eyes the cake like a hungry beast but hesitates.

"You can have it, I don't really like that flavor anyways." 

Says the one who ate half of it..

I watch closely as she gazes at the cake. For a second I debated if she will eat the cake that was already eaten by him.

My doubts clear up as she dives into the plate. Aiden gets up walking towards Eric not before sending a smile towards Emma.

"Ew Chloe" I mimic her words as she freely eats the unfinished cake from him but didn't bother doing that to me. She shrugs at me casually enjoying her treat.

I sigh and get up, walking towards the table in search of the cookies. I place my empty plate on table. My eyes scan the table before it lands on the cookies and I grab one of it.

There were only few left making me smile, grateful that others enjoyed the treat. I munch on the biscuit lazily as the flavors burst into my mouth.

"Hey,c-can I have one too?" I turn around swiftly to meet those crystal eyes. I freeze as they stare back at me. I notice them looking unusual, when a thought strikes me. Xavier swapped his persona. He seemed different.

Did he really just snap out of reality again? How?

He repeats,"C-can I have one too?" I blink at him looking around hoping to find his nurse and inform her but fail. I look back at his eyes and nod at him unsure, handing him a cookie.

He grins like a child and starts eating the small biscuit greedily.

It felt weird knowing how different both his personalities are. He chews before humming in delight. I smile subconsciously, "Tastes good huh?"

His eyes twinkle as light reflects them making me stare at those oceanic orbs. He nods his head walking up to me. My forehead creases in confusion and before I can move away or process anything, he leans closely, close enough to make my senses grow numb, making my breath hitch.

He places a gentle peck on the side on my cheek and steps away, quickly. 

Oh my Lord!

Oh my Lord!

It felt my eyeballs would just pop out. I felt heat rushing at the side of my face.

"I... err..."  My voice trails off and dies the moment I see a mischievous smile on his face. His eyes seemed perfectly normal, except they held a swirling storm behind them.

"Gotcha this time..." with that he winks and twirls around, digging his one hand in pockets and other holding the sweet.

"These taste really good, but you seemed more." His tone rings in my ears, making my heart come to a halt.

With that he casually disappeared into the crowd.

My jaw falls down, I force myself to breathe.

Did he just play me?

I cup my cold hands on my reddened face, breathing shakily.

"Oh God..."

My heart was thundering inside, I gulp fiercely. He definitely played me good, but to think Xavier could pull off such a move...

My face turns into a darker shade. I wish he would have switched right now more than anything but the fact that it made my stomach erupt into bazillion butterflies makes me want to slap myself and wake up from this dream.

But its not a dream Chloe.

He actually...

I wanted to disappear into nothing but thin air, I don;t think I can look him in the eye anymore without embarrassing myself. I quickly turn around looking if anyone caught me, but sigh in relief and rush over to the girls.

---

"Everyone line up." The man instructs as he looks through his camera before glancing at us.

Rachel decided to get a small group photo and called one of the guards to do the honors. It personally made me nervous when Emma squealed quoting it as a family photo.

I don't remember what it is like to have a family, who would be by your side and love you dearly. My heart clenched the more I thought about it.

When Mel noticed my sudden change she smiled warmly," Chloe, we are a family."

 The words rang in my head over and over.

The people I have been with for more than a month may seem like ordinary members of asylum but they grew to be much more. I sat with them, ate, worked, laughed and stayed with them.

I got used to this lifestyle, getting up every morning seeing the silly tantrums of Aiden and Mel, Emma and Bella during the lunch, Eric and Xavier leading in the art class. All of us enjoying our time on the ground. Not gonna lie, but my silly moments with Xavier too..

Is this is how a family would make one feel?

To feel loved, secure and safe, to live your life with them?

Melissa did say those words trying to assure and comfort me but they struck me deep. For the first time since I woke up from coma, I felt like I belonged.

Everyone closes the distance, smiling warmly at the camera. I stood between Melissa and Emma with her sister. The boys stood behind us whereas Eric stood in between next to Rachel and Trinity.

I numbly glanced at Xavier's back, shook my head smiling, seeing him mess with Aiden and Eric.

"Say cheese." Trinity shrieks in excitement and everyone follows, smiling widely. My heart races at those words, a natural and a genuine smile forming on my lips. I tried not to cry and look like a mess. Everyone says in unison,

"Cheese!"

'Click'. The sound echoes from the camera, capturing one of the memories of this family.

---