"Once upon a time, in a faraway place lived a king and a queen. Their kingdom prospered and everyone was happy but the rulers themselves. They had a son who was very prideful and cared nothing about hurting others."

A boy standing behind the curtains took a deep breath, when he heard those words, and softly pushed by his teacher went onto the stage.

Hundreds of eyes focused on him. They were full of expectation and impatience. All of the parents were waiting for their kids to show up.

Kirin looked for familiar faces but didn't find them. His parents had said they wouldn't be able to come yet he still had hoped. It was Christmas time and miracles were supposed to be happening.

With wooden legs he walked closer to the middle and cursing stars tried to remember his lines.

"No one will tell me what to do! I am a prince and your future king! I have no need to know what servants like you all are talking about!"

***

The play was an enormous success. Everyone was surprised at how well the story flowed and the teacher was praised all the time. It had been actually interesting to see and remember your own childhood, watching the kids in action.

"It's not only my victory but the children’s too. All of them gave it all, especially Kirin. Never even once in practice did he do everything so perfectly. He's our little star this evening."

"He sure is. Amazing work, boy."

Kirin thanked the person and waited for the teacher to let him go. She noticed that his parents weren't there and had decided to take care of him herself.

"Kirin wanna come play with us?" Veronica, often called Vera or Nica, asked him and wanting to escape all the praises he agreed.

"Teacher, I'll be with Nica, okay?"

"Yes, yes. Go and have fun, just come back to me once you're done."

"Okay" he said nodding and followed the girl to where everyone had gathered.

On the way Colin stopped him. The guy was eighteen years old and was a brother of Kevin. He was leaving the town this year to become a film producer.

"Hey, kid! You were great! Wanna tell me your secret, how you managed to pull it off? I would have expected that of Vera or my brother as they're spoiled rotten but you acting so haughty and self-absorbed was a shock. You're a talent! I tell you!" He shouted out, grabbing Kirin and raising him in the air. "Will you star in my film once you grow up? I'll need someone to make me popular!"

Kirin laughed. "Sure and then you'll owe me a mountain of candies for helping you!"

"Only? I'll be able to buy you ten!" He said putting the boy down and falling on one knee, looking at him seriously. "Just don't forget it, okay? It's a promise!"

Kirin nodded and Colin shook his hand before smiling widely and leaving after a wave.

That was the last Kirin ever saw of him.

"Hurry up! Everyone's waiting!" Nica said impatiently, tugging at his extravagant shirt. None had changed their clothes from the play.

Kirin nodded and went after her where he was instantly tagged it and had to chase other kids. He did that with great skill. He might not have been as strong or agile as others but he was good at navigating between people and making swift decisions. In moments he tagged Kevin and escaping his hand ran away.

"Kids, don't run among people! There's place enough for everyone!"

The order wasn't heard and children continued to run rampant, trying to catch each other. Kirin was one of them, trying desperately not to get caught. Games were all fun and good but no game was just a game. Pride and status was lying there, especially of one who had never played before. He wasn't going down easily. He had to win.

But there was no winning a tag.

So he played until they all got tired and returned to their parents' side. Then he was left all alone.

He watched them interacting for a moment before turning around and when nobody was looking sneaking away.

The school wasn't locked so he went inside and wandered around for a bit. The place was quiet, cold and empty. An abandoned classroom caught his attention and he went inside.

Lights danced through the windows and he went closer. The party was in full swing. Classmates were playing another game while their parents chatted together.

'Where are they?' he wondered sitting down on a windowsill. They had said it and yet he couldn't believe it.

It was his first year in a school. First time going on a stage. First time spending more than a few moments with his classmates not in a lesson.

They hadn't come.

The whole evening he sat looking at the celebration below and waiting for them to round the corner. They had to come at one point or another.

The night deepened and people started to thin out. Goodbyes reached Kirin's ears and waves were thrown his way. Or so he imagined sitting high up and watching as everyone departed.

When the school was about to be closed a person he'd been waiting for all evening showed up. There was a tired smile on his face as he met the teacher.

"Hello, Mrs. Lowgroun"

"Hey! If it isn't my favourite student! Ho are you doing?" the woman asked with a wide smile.

"I have to work a lot but we're as tight as ever. How has Kirin been? Did he do well?"

"Amazing! He made the show work out! The kid has talent! I wouldn't be surprised if he became a well-known actor one day!"

"Really? Where is he now? I need to congratulate him then."

"Uhm... He was just playing with the kids..."

The two looked around and saw an empty courtyard. There was not a single soul there.

"Hey, Kirin! Come here!"

A small boy left his hiding place behind the front doors and came closer. There was betrayal in his eyes but a bright smile on his lips. "You're finally here father!" He said glancing around, black shadow passing over his face. "Where is mother?"

"Sorry, she had three times the work today because everyone left and couldn't make it. Tonight we'll have to be with just the two of us. So how did it go?"

"Great! Everyone loved the play!"

"He was absolutely stunning! You should have seen how believable he was when he pretended to order everyone around! I could have sworn he had been doing it every moment of his life!"

"Our little prince" father said with fondness in his voice and Kirin smiled proudly taking his father's hand.

They left with happy chatter, Kirin recounting every little detail he could remember and creating those he didn't. His leaving the celebration had never happened.